Shoppers can now get Everything But the Bottle at Bridgewater Falls

Spicing up beverages is the goal of this new business in Fairfield Twp.
Sisters Michelle Juergens and Krista Hepp are the co-owners of Everything But the Bottle in the Bridgewater Falls shopping center in Fairfield Twp. SUE KIESEWETTER/CONTRIBUTED

Sisters Michelle Juergens and Krista Hepp are the co-owners of Everything But the Bottle in the Bridgewater Falls shopping center in Fairfield Twp. SUE KIESEWETTER/CONTRIBUTED

The concept for Everything But the Bottle started at a family Thanksgiving dinner.

Almost exactly three years later sisters Krista Hepp and Michelle Juergens along with Juergens daughter Dayna Sager have opened their first store in the Bridgewater Falls shopping complex in Fairfield Twp.

The store sells all kinds of syrups and hand-crafted bitters for alcoholic drinks as well as mocktails. Their stock also includes everything that goes along with that — curated beverage kits, stemware, linens, tools, and even wine glass charms.

The only thing they don’t sell are bottles of alcohol.

“People make memories over food – beverages are an afterthought,’’ Hepp said.

“People like interesting beverages but had nowhere to come. We help them spice up their beverages — alcoholic or non-alcoholic.”

Store flavorings can be added to beverages including lemonade or tea as well as food including sweet potatoes or desserts.

“This is a new concept. We’ve seen nothing similar – no other place like this,” Hepp said.

Everything But the Bottle has a mixing station for customers to experiment with creating new alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. SUE KIESEWETTER/CONTRIBUTED

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The 2,300 square foot store has a mid-century design and stations you would see in a home – a library area with titles about drinks; a kitchen space to experiment with mixes; a bitters bar to sample products; high top tables; and even a den with a television showing related videos.

“It took hours and hours of time and buckets and buckets of paint to get this the way we wanted it,’’ said Juergens.

All three women did most of the work themselves after spending a year looking for the perfect location and “lots of research and planning,’’ Hepp said.

Everything But the Bottle carries more than 20 bitters and 57 different syrups. Among the flavors are candy cane sparkle, pumpkin spice, barrel smoked maple syrup and spiced cranberry. SUE KIESEWETTER/CONTRIBUTED

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The store carries more than 20 bitters and 57 different syrups. Among the flavors are candy cane sparkle, pumpkin spice, barrel smoked maple syrup and spiced cranberry.

Informative framed posters – such as tools of the craft expert – were designed by Sager, who also put together the website, www.everything-but-the-bottle.myshopify.com

“I have full confidence in this. We are not doing this haphazardly. We want people to be comfortable here,” Sager said.

Early next year the trio plans to begin offering classes to help customers come up with creative beverages.

The store is open from noon to 8 p.m., weekdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m., Sunday.

A ribbon cutting ceremony officially opened the Everything But the Bottle store in the Bridgewater Falls shopping complex in Fairfield Twp. SUE KIESEWETTER/CONTRIBUTED

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