Small Business Spotlight: Dry Inside
Dry Inside: A Spot Where Everyone is Welcome to Sit Up at the Bar
Story by: Julieta Larios
Photos by: Cecily Gubitosi
Having a great night with your friends just got a whole lot more inclusive. If you are looking for a new place to unwind, complete with a cozy, ambient atmosphere and drinks for days, visit Darin Blanchard at Dry Inside.
Located on the corner right next to the Skagit Valley Food Co-op, what makes Dry Inside different from other lounges is that inside it is completely alcohol free and open to all ages.
“Dopamine does more than you think they do! I've heard people say I feel drunk. They're not. I hear that often, so you're having a good time. You don't need alcohol to do that,” said Blanchard. His goal is to continue cultivating this atmosphere fueled by dopamine and good times rather than alcohol.
Blanchard decided to open Dry Inside as part of a personal mission to create a welcoming space where anyone can stop in, grab a drink, and linger in a setting that feels safe and comfortable. He hopes that Dry Inside can offer a modern coffee shop experience, just with craft non-alcoholic beverages taking center stage.
“We all have to admit, a lot of drinks taste disgusting, and we drink them anyway. So you're doing it for effect. Why can't you just do it for flavor? Why can't you do it for culture, for friendship, for celebration?
Blanchard opened Dry Inside in Downtown Mount Vernon because the area offered a sense of belonging and cohesiveness that his previous residences lacked, something that he had never fully given up on finding.
“This is what I always wanted, some kind of community. I've been searching for that for my whole life,” said Blanchard.
A lot of effort has been put into creating the business Dry Inside. If you think Darin looks familiar, it might be because he occupied Mount Vernon Downtown Association’s pop-up shop as Small Spaces, where he prioritized home goods and handmade furniture, before he transitioned into his current location in October.
“When we moved in here, I just knew I wanted to do something totally different, radical even,” said Blanchard.
Initial passions haven’t been lost. At Dry Inside, guests can browse a small selection of household items and glassware, and Darin hopes it encourages people to entertain more at home. His handmade furniture also leaves a strong impression, whether it is the bright orange couch you’re sitting on or the dresser filled with vinyl records (that you can pick out and play, by the way).
At Dry Inside, you will find plenty of familiar drinks, including non-alcoholic takes on margaritas, espresso martinis, and an aperitivo spritz. You can also be bold and try Blanchard’s unique house-made flavors, such as Hibiscus Firecracker or a crowd favorite, the Lazy Tiki God, which blends non-alcoholic rum with pineapple juice.
“This should be normal. We should not be an outlier at all. I would like to see the entire NA space blow up; it should. There's nothing that says it shouldn't,” said Blanchard.
If you find yourself feeling thirsty while strolling through downtown, stop by Dry Inside for a quick drink, say hello to Blanchard or his wife, Heather O'Brien behind the bar, and stay awhile.
Visit Darin at Dry Inside!
300 S 1st St, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday-Thursday: 12 PM - 8 PM
Friday-Saturday: 12 PM - 10 PM
Sunday: 12 PM - 6 PM
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