First so you don't miss anything: Check out the video above (*alt video with captions is in the gallery)! Second, there are a lot of "Perks" & "Wishes" you can click to read their contents. "Perks" offer physical rewards, experiences, and memberships! "Wishes" let you choose a donation level or contribute to Ever AFter "In Honor of" a loved one. Thank you for reading more about us, s o glad you’re here!
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We’re inviting our community and future patrons to help Ever AFter open a brick and mortar non-alcoholic (NA) bottle shop, tasting bar, gallery, and alcohol free gathering space in Portland, Oregon!
Your support will help Ever AFter grow from a proof-of-concept stage into the vibrant community hub it was always envisioned to be. Started by a trans, queer, and disabled founder with decades of experience, Ever AFter is a response to the growing need for inclusive, accessible, alcohol-free alternatives. Ever AFter is not simply a business; it's a call to form new kinds of community connection. We need your support, please check out the details below, donate, and SHARE!Â
WHAT IS EVER AFTER?Â
Whether you’re living alcohol free, taking a break, cutting back for any reason, or you just want to hang out in a cool space! – Ever AFter aims to be a place for everyone . Ever AFter will be a well-stocked and curated NA bottle shop, tasting bar with snacks, and a market showcasing local artists’ goods. You’ll be able to hang with friends or colleagues, attend classes, speaker series, book launches & artist talks, workshops, meet-ups & events–all in one vibrant, bright, joyful space. As part of our community ecosystem, we will offer an alcohol free rental, with an available NA bar, to nonprofits and private parties.Â
Local artist, Lisa Congdon, will be co-designing Ever AFter’s future space, so expect fun designs, colorful murals, and cool merch!
CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT EVER AFTER'S COLLABORATORS!
Ever AFter values inclusion, spotlighting marginalized small business owners & makers, ethical consumption, and accessibility. As we said in our video: we’re not cutting costs at the expense of inclusion: this will not be an afterthought. A big part of starting this business with integrity is, in the initial structure and design, consider our patrons who are immunocompromised, living with disabilities and neurodiversity, and/or have accommodation needs.
Image description: Blue graphic grid listing “Accessibility Measures: Training for trauma-informed staff, Neurodiversity Design Consultant, Physical accessibility, COVID precautions, Allergen signage”
By focusing on physical accessibility, COVID precautions, training for staff, clear labeling for allergens and AF (0.0%) vs NA products (more on this later!), we can create a new blueprint for how small businesses can truly "do" inclusion. I’m proud to be consulting with neurodiversity consultant, Bird Sellergren of the Bay Area Autism Collective, around accessibility and strategy.
WHO IS EVER AFTER: FOUNDER'S STORY
Hi, I’m Ariel, owner and founder of Ever AFter. I’m a community builder, curator, artist, and entrepreneur. The vision of Ever AFter is being dreamed up through my creative, sober, intersectional lens. Â
As a professional curator, I’m passionate about spotlighting other artists and bringing audiences together for my city. As a professional artist, I have a large network of makers and an eye for quality & design. I have past experience in the food & beverage industry – menu and recipe development & small batch production. I love turning seasonal ingredients into fun, complex flavors and I love feeding people! I want you to love my drinks, syrups, salts, gluten free snacks, and the other new products I already source for my family and my friends!Â
Ever AFter weaves my many passions and skills together for my Portland community. I feel so lucky to have been held by Portland’s sober community through many ups and downs over the past 5 years. Not drinking can feel lonely; life can be lonely; being a human in the current world can be lonely, and we need spaces that create a sense of collective growth. I want to build Ever AFter for people seeking a shared experience away from alcohol and drinking culture.Â
No matter what brings you through our doors, to one of our events, or into our online community, I’m truly glad you’re here… Let’s meet at Ever AFter!Â
With love & gratitude,
Ariel Dunitz-Johnson (they/them)
Photo of
founder/owner, Ariel, and collaborator Artist, Lisa Congdon, seated
in a stairwell laughing with each other. Lisa’s 15lbs white dog
Milkshake rests across her lap.
WHY EVER AFTER?
Mid 2020, I moved back to my hometown of Portland from San Francisco, largely because of the incredible sober community. An estimated 9.1% of Portlanders over 18 are in recovery , but Portland is listed among the country’s cities with the most bars per capita. Â
A lot of folks are asking: How do we combat the loneliness epidemic? The isolation of the pandemic took its toll. People have started reevaluating their drinking and drinking less, but bars and clubs are often the only places to socialize.Â
The stats are clear:
- 28% of Americans over 21 didn’t drink any alcohol last year.
- 41% of adults planned to drink less in 2024.Â
- 39% of people wish there were more sober bars in their area.Â
- In a poll on a dating app, three quarters of people said grabbing
drinks is no longer their go-to first date.
*Stats from NCISÂ and a 2022 Hinge App Study
Ever AFter is what we need. I’m inviting you to come together as part of this larger movement & moment and create a new place where people can meet without being around drinking, or feel any pressure to drink. A place where people can talk about real life – without alcohol. We deserve someplace beautiful and cool to hang out!
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
This crowdfunding campaign will allow us to keep building Ever
AFter’s brand, grow our pop-up and events program, continue our NA
bottle shop Residency at Colibri, and begin searching for the right
brick & mortar home.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE ABOUT OUR COST BREAKDOWNS AND WHY WE'RE CROWDFUNDING.
By contributing any amount, you're not just helping start a new kind of business; you're investing in a new kind of community.
 |
We need to reach more folks who can afford to pitch in to bring this project to Portland and know there are a lot of people who will love Ever After. In sharing this project, we hope people recognize an opportunity to help themselves and others get and stay sober (cut back, or explore). Whether or not you donate or claim a Reward, please also reach out to you friends or colleagues who support a queer, trans, disabled, sober artist becoming a business owner and create their dream. Please help us reach outside our community bubble to your people and circles!
We’re excited to welcome you to the Ever AFter Fam! We literally can't do this without you and we’re so grateful for your support! Let's GOOO!
Â
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Perks
$10-10,000 Choose your donation!
Can you think of someone who might’ve wanted a place like Ever After during their time? Do our values, mission, or vision remind you of someone you care about? If you donate in their honor, we’ll enter your name as “Friend of ___” or “Family of ___”. Thank you for supporting our community, sending love right back at you.
$10-10,000 Choose your donation!
You’re helping make our accessibility dreams come true!Â
So many of our visitors will appreciate ramps and grab bars in bathrooms, our custom modular furniture that fit all bodies comfortably, and the layers of other supports we’re building in. From adjustable lighting and noise cancelling headphones to high quality air filters and signage for allergens–there’s a lot on our list that adds up. But so does support from people like you: thank you!Â
- Ever AFter stickerÂ
- A huge Thank You on Ever AFter’s Instagram
Every grain you add counts! You’re getting us 1/10,000th closer to our goal!!
- Deluxe Ever AFter sticker PACK
- A huge Thank You on Ever AFter’s Instagram
*all merch local pick up only
- House Beverage x1 when Ever AFter is open!
- Ever AFter bottle opener (a wine key to our hearts)
- Ever AFter sticker
*all merch local pick up only
- EA “No Hangover Club” or Ever After branded t-shirt
- 1 House Beverage on us when Ever AFter is open!
- EA bottle opener (a wine key to our hearts)
- EA sticker
*all merch local pick up only
- TWO EA “No Hangover Club” or Ever After branded t-shirts
-
2 House Beverages when Ever AFter is open!
- EA bottle opener (a wine key to our hearts)
- EA sticker
*all merch local pick up only
- One voucher for an EA Tasting for Two
- Two EA “No Hangover Club” or Ever After branded t-shirts
- EA sticker
- EA bottle opener (a wine key to our hearts)
*all merch local pick up only
- Two tickets to an exclusive pre-launch party with our Gold Card Members (or substitute an online class and party hard from home!)
- Ever AFter Swag Pack (sticker pack, bottle opener, 2 EA t-shirts)
- Custom EA x Bull in China COCKTAIL KIT (GOLD)
- One voucher for an EA Tasting for Two
- Two tickets to an exclusive pre-launch party with our Gold Card Members (or substitute an online class and party hard from home!)
- PLUS Ever AFter Swag Pack (sticker pack, bottle opener, 2 EA t-shirts)
- Party Animal Rewards PLUS
- ONE YEAR GOLD CARD with VIP Event Access, Discounts, VIP Merch!
This “one year” Gold Card will start working from when we open until the end of the *following* year!Â
- Party Animal Rewards PLUS
- LIFETIME GOLD CARD with VIP Event Access, Discounts, VIP Merch!
- Everybody knows your name -- partly because we'll literally put it on a plaque on the wall!!
- Your lifetime Ever After gold card gives you a lifetime of perks at EA.Â
- Name a Drink for our launch party!
- All the perks of our Zest for Life $10k level PLUS
- YOUR CHOICE VIP BOTTLE of NA Spirits, Wine, or Functional Elixir–refreshed MONTHLY! Kept behind the bar… with your name on its lovely tag! Have your favorite beverage waiting for you and your guests anytime you come by.
Highlights
See all activity72PRESS 📸 +TEAM 👯‍♂️
PRESS
| EATER PDX | TRAVEL PORTLAND | PORTLAND MONTHLY | BRIDGETOWN BITES |  |  |  |  |
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COLLABORATORS & ADVISORS
 |  |  | ARIEL DUNITZ-JOHNSON, OWNER & FOUNDER Ariel dreamed up Ever AFter. They bring decades of experience as an artist, community builder, curator, and entrepreneur. They've worked in recipe development & small batch production, and as a professional illustrator and curator spotlighting other creators through art shows and producing events. | LISA CONGDON, COLLABORATOR Lisa, an artist and illustrator,  has been instrumental in the creation of Ever AFter. She designed the Ever AFter logo & art and will be co-designing the brick & mortar space. Lisa is insightful, an avid cyclist and gravel racer, loves baking sourdough bread, and has over 2 years of sobriety. She can be found spending her time with her wife and pup, Milkshake, a stylus in hand. | DREW GARZA, COLLABORATOR Drew, principal designer at Studio Brute, brings invaluable skill, vision, and creativity to building Ever AFter’s branding, culture, and greater vision. Over the past year and a half, Drew has also begun his sobriety journey and leads workshops, discussions and groups helping others through story sharing, toolkit building, accountability and compassion. |  |  |  | SHELLEY ELKOVICH, ADVISOR Shelley is the Founder & CEO of award-winning N/A cocktails brand, For Bitter For Worse. Shelley is a person with disability who has done work in food security, written fiction, is an outspoken feminist and a mom of grown kids. She is witty and hilarious and has an infectious brightness and energy. We’re so lucky to have her in our corner and can’t wait for you to meet her at future events, pop-ups, and workshops. | LEVI, ADVISOR Levi leads several additional teams at Ever AFter, including Team Good Boy, Sit & Stay Club, Team Lay Down & Shake. He brings years of experience managing meal & treat schedules, napping & rest, managing deliveries and product development, and inventory security. He is an invaluable member of the Ever AFter Team! | RAINA DANIELS, ADVISOR Raina is a wordsmith, community cultivator, and public health strategist with a career in nonprofit program management. She's been offering copyediting, storytelling, business plan development, event strategy, recipe tasting and more to Ever AFter. Raina's heart and working hours have belonged to harm reduction & peer-to-peer education since her teens, she lives and works in the Bay Area when she's not visiting PDX. |  |  |  | CHRIS MARSHALL, ADVISOR Chris, well known in the NA world as a trailblazer and founder of Sans Bar , the country’s first alcohol free bar in Austin, Texas. Ariel attended Sans Academy in winter 2024 and gained Chris's support as a friend and advisor for Ever AFter . His knowledge in the industry is unparalleled; he's also an incredible writer and human being! | BIRD SELLERGREN, ADVISOR Bird is a doctoral student in education, a non-profit founder, disability advocate, and coach for autistic adults and their loved ones. They founded the Bay Area Autism Collective and Neurodiversity Labs, and is advising Ever AFter around accessibility and inclusive strategy. O utside of their professional pursuits, Bird is a watercolor painter, a Buddhist, a mindfulness meditation practitioner, and a dog parent to Lulu. | PHOENIX PAINTIN, COLLABORATOR Phoenix is a seasoned industry expert and previously GM at Suckerpunch , an NA pop-up bar in Portland from 2021-2023 started by Andy McMillan. She brings humor, invaluable bar management, research and development skills to the team! In her downtime, you can find Phoenix with her dogs, exploring with her partner, Danny, or binge-watching Drag Race. |
WHYâť“+ HOW MUCH đź’°Â
WHY CROWDFUNDING?
The truth is: we can’t do this without you. Surprisingly, there aren’t many grants available for small businesses, and several programs devoted to women-run-companies aren’t currently open to trans business owners like Ariel. Many owner-operator startups can work themselves physically to the bone, but because Ariel lives with disabilities and can’t work full-time, Ever AFter needs more staff on hand. Ariel has a lot of drive, vision, and the skills essential to run this project as the spokesperson, bookkeeper, stockist, marketing lead, event coordinator, chef, and admin. Ariel can’t also be the GM, event staff, and bartender all at once. They need to focus on staffing up front for what it will take to build and run a project of this scale.
I want to be transparent and share how funds beyond the $150k would go a long way. I’m sharing more below about costs and expenses, so take a look and please reach out with any questions.Â
Campaign funds will go towards these estimated costs:
$100,000:
Buildout, Accessibility Improvements, Permits (including bar,
custom seating, accessibility improvements suggested by
Neurodiversity consultant, Bird Sellergren)
$76,000: General Manager, Neurodiversity Consultant, & Contractors
$72,000: Estimated Rent + NNN (insurance + utilities) for Year 1 (most landlords require proof of 12-18 months of rent in the bank)
$36,000: Estimated Start-up Inventory (NA bottle shop, market & retail, tasting bar)
$34,000: Branding, Website & Design, & Branded Marketing Materials (napkins, stickers, signage, vinyl decals, tablecloths, postcards, business cards, merch, mural +)
$28,000: Equipment (fridges, sink, dishwasher, ice maker, shelves, bar +)
$25,000: Estimated furniture costs (custom modular furniture to maximize accessibility, furniture for all sizes and physical needs, )
$14,000: Supplies (including POS, software, In-house Products R&D + supplies)
$2,000: Slushie Machine :)
SUBTOTAL: $387,000
Owner Contribution (so far):
$30,000+: pop-up bar & supplies, signage & vinyl, Colibri bottle shop inventory & equipment, supplies for tastings, display, web development, business development, trademarking, legal fees, branded materials, etc.
Will you take out loans?
We’re considering loans for construction and other elements, but depending solely on loans for this project would be risking Ariel’s financial security. In order to have the fiscal strength we need, we’re avoiding larger loans that would keep us in the red for the foreseeable future.
In addition to crowdfunding, we are also planning in-person fundraising events and efforts – including generously donated items by local artists and businesses — stay tuned!
Are you open to investors or business partners?
We're accepting wealthy benefactors who want to live vicariously through our good deeds! Angel Investors, Seed Money, or Silent Partner-types might want to ensure we get this place open and gorgeous ASAP. If you’re interested in exploring investment please reach out directly to ariel@everafteralcoholfree.com
We’re looking to lease an affordable commercial rental space to make our dreams come true AND generate the revenue we need to be sustainable. Do you own, or know of, a place with the square footage we need that’s accessible and has good vibez? Are you an existing business that wants to UHaul with us?? Get in touch! In addition to financial support, we welcome your ideas, feedback, and involvement in shaping the future of Ever AFter!
Why not just start a non-profit?
We want to sell our drinks and have a tasting bar with no strings attached! We want to serve *everyone* and not battle annual funding cycles. We want to fundraise for nonprofits, keep wealth in our community, and grow to other cities!
Traditional recovery programs are essential to the health of our community, but we also want to be a growing business that employs people in recovery, a venue with events that normalize not drinking, a place to build intentional and healthy community and foster fuller, healthier lives.
TL;DR:
The total cost to open Ever AFter is more than the goal we set and I’m hoping we can surpass that goal. The more we can raise, the closer we can get to bringing the vision of Ever AFter to life in all the ways.
Â
Activity
$10-10,000 Choose your donation!
Can you think of someone who might’ve wanted a place like Ever After during their time? Do our values, mission, or vision remind you of someone you care about? If you donate in their honor, we’ll enter your name as “Friend of ___” or “Family of ___”. Thank you for supporting our community, sending love right back at you.
$10-10,000 Choose your donation!
You’re helping make our accessibility dreams come true!Â
So many of our visitors will appreciate ramps and grab bars in bathrooms, our custom modular furniture that fit all bodies comfortably, and the layers of other supports we’re building in. From adjustable lighting and noise cancelling headphones to high quality air filters and signage for allergens–there’s a lot on our list that adds up. But so does support from people like you: thank you!Â
- Ever AFter stickerÂ
- A huge Thank You on Ever AFter’s Instagram
Every grain you add counts! You’re getting us 1/10,000th closer to our goal!!
- Deluxe Ever AFter sticker PACK
- A huge Thank You on Ever AFter’s Instagram
*all merch local pick up only
- House Beverage x1 when Ever AFter is open!
- Ever AFter bottle opener (a wine key to our hearts)
- Ever AFter sticker
*all merch local pick up only
- EA “No Hangover Club” or Ever After branded t-shirt
- 1 House Beverage on us when Ever AFter is open!
- EA bottle opener (a wine key to our hearts)
- EA sticker
*all merch local pick up only
- TWO EA “No Hangover Club” or Ever After branded t-shirts
-
2 House Beverages when Ever AFter is open!
- EA bottle opener (a wine key to our hearts)
- EA sticker
*all merch local pick up only
- One voucher for an EA Tasting for Two
- Two EA “No Hangover Club” or Ever After branded t-shirts
- EA sticker
- EA bottle opener (a wine key to our hearts)
*all merch local pick up only
- Two tickets to an exclusive pre-launch party with our Gold Card Members (or substitute an online class and party hard from home!)
- Ever AFter Swag Pack (sticker pack, bottle opener, 2 EA t-shirts)
- Custom EA x Bull in China COCKTAIL KIT (GOLD)
- One voucher for an EA Tasting for Two
- Two tickets to an exclusive pre-launch party with our Gold Card Members (or substitute an online class and party hard from home!)
- PLUS Ever AFter Swag Pack (sticker pack, bottle opener, 2 EA t-shirts)
- Party Animal Rewards PLUS
- ONE YEAR GOLD CARD with VIP Event Access, Discounts, VIP Merch!
This “one year” Gold Card will start working from when we open until the end of the *following* year!Â
- Party Animal Rewards PLUS
- LIFETIME GOLD CARD with VIP Event Access, Discounts, VIP Merch!
- Everybody knows your name -- partly because we'll literally put it on a plaque on the wall!!
- Your lifetime Ever After gold card gives you a lifetime of perks at EA.Â
- Name a Drink for our launch party!
- All the perks of our Zest for Life $10k level PLUS
- YOUR CHOICE VIP BOTTLE of NA Spirits, Wine, or Functional Elixir–refreshed MONTHLY! Kept behind the bar… with your name on its lovely tag! Have your favorite beverage waiting for you and your guests anytime you come by.
