Friends,

Welcome back! I hope you all had a lovely holiday season and start to the new year. In addition to taking some quiet time off with families to rest and recharge we also officially launched the Downtown Improvement District into Lowertown and the entire eastern half of downtown on January 1. We're so excited to begin delivering services and ramping up the team of ambassadors. We'll have more to report on how things have been rolling out in the coming days, but this week we wanted to kick off the new year with a special newsletter takeover from our friend Alex Zauner from Lucille's Bottle Shop. Lucille's opened a few months ago on 7th Place and has been getting some well deserved local love and attention ever since.

Keep reading to hear from Alex about Dry January and to get caught up on downtown news and events.

Take care,

-Joe

Beginning your new year with Dry January at Lucille's

Hi everyone, I’m Alex Zauner, the co-owner of Lucille’s Bottle Shop. We opened Lucille’s in downtown Saint Paul in 2024 because we wanted to create a welcoming space where everyone could find something special, whether they drink alcohol or not. We knew this was the perfect place to introduce a curated selection of non-alcoholic options that cater to every lifestyle.

As we step into the new year, Dry January has been gaining more and more attention. It’s a movement that invites us to take a break from alcohol, offering a chance to reset and reassess our habits. I’ve noticed a growing interest among our community, and it’s exciting to see how this trend is inspiring people to explore healthier lifestyles and new ways to connect.

What makes Dry January so popular? For many, it’s an opportunity to improve their overall wellness—physically, mentally and even socially. Studies have shown that taking a break from alcohol can improve sleep, boost energy levels and enhance mental clarity. But beyond the personal benefits, it’s also about having fun while discovering flavorful alternatives. At Lucille’s, we’re passionate about curating a variety of alcohol-free experiences while introducing you to a diverse range of non-alcoholic beverages that make this journey enjoyable and delicious.

To help you embrace Dry January and keep the momentum going we’re offering everything from creative recipes to interactive events. Don’t miss our Wellness Wednesday experience on the 15th that we host once a month, start the evening with a sound bath and end with an NA cocktail hour filled with community and connection. On the 19th, we’re collaborating with Meritage for an NA drink dinner pairing event, details coming soon. These events are a great way to connect, unwind and make the most of your Dry January journey, and beyond.

One of my favorite winter recipes is the Winter Fizz which features Tilden Tandem, a smoky oak-citrus non-alcoholic spirit, the recipe uses lime, cranberry and apple juice, topped with club soda for the perfect beverage to enjoy at the end of the day, over dinner or hanging out with friends. The full recipe is below.

Whether you’re going completely alcohol-free or just cutting back, I’d love to see you at Lucille’s as we make Dry January a celebration of new beginnings together.

Cheers!

Alex

Winter Fizz

Ingredients

- 2 oz Tilden Tandem

- 1 oz cranberry juice

- 1 oz apple juice

- 0.5 oz lime juice

- splash club soda

- cranberries

Instructions

Build over ice in a rocks glass, stir gently to combine. Express the orange peel oils over the drink and use as garnish. The tart cranberry complements Tandem's cherry notes while the orange oils enhance its citrus elements. If you want more of a smoky flavor, opt for 2.5 ounces of tandem and 0.5 ounce of each juice.

Saint Paul Downtown Improvement District hires general manager

Kris Zagyva has more than 20 years of experience in downtown improvement initiatives in other states.

Read more from the Downtown Voice

Here's a glance at what's happening downtown this week.

A full look at what's coming up can be found on our event calendar. Check it out!

Jan. 10	After Dark: St. Paul's Hilarious Comedy Improv Show!	Camp Bar
Jan. 11	Schubert Club FamilyJam: Copper Street Brass	Landmark Center
Jan. 11	Big Head Todd and the Monsters	Palace Theatre
Jan. 11	Flip Phone presents… Wicked Rave	Amsterdam Bar and Hall
Jan. 12	Sundays at Landmark – Urban Expedition: India	Landmark Center
Jan. 14	Amsterdam presents…The Moth	Amsterdam Bar and Hall
Jan. 15	Minnesota Wild vs. Edmonton	Xcel Energy Center
Jan. 16	Station Sounds at 1881	Union Depot

Weekly construction updates are currently paused during the winter months. As any changes or updates arise we will share them here.

More information on specific ongoing projects can be found below:

Robert Street

Utility work continues to progress on Robert Street. Crews anticipate work to continue through the end of the month between 7th Street and Kellogg Boulevard and through spring 2025 between 11th and 7th Streets, in advance of the reconstruction project.

Minnesota Street

Over the next several weeks, Xcel is scheduled to be on site working on their existing utility vault next to the UBS Building on the west side of Minnesota Street. They will set up traffic control so please follow all posted signs. In the coming weeks, intermittent lane closures are anticipated to occur for private utility work.

Kellogg Boulevard: Bridge Closure

Kellogg-3rd Street bridge remains closed. Construction is anticipated to last approximately three years.

Are you following the Alliance on Facebook? What about Instagram?

Make sure you're following the Downtown Alliance on social media to stay up to date on all the latest downtown events and news. Plus, we do love giveaways, so you never know when you could end up with tickets, swag or other great downtown prizes.

@StPLdowntown

stpdowntownalliance.org

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