The Wakery is a coffee house and non-alcoholic bar, located at 5 West Old State Capitol Plaza in Springfield. Founded in April 2023 by Springfield native Elizabeth Ross Wake, the Wakery has become a fun alternative gathering place in Downtown Springfield. It is known for its tasty selection of non-alcoholic cocktails, sangria, beer, and wines, along with locally roasted coffee and fresh local baked goods.
In 2021, Elizabeth, a Masters of Public Administration student at UIS, was pregnant with her son, and as a result of her pregnancy, she began to search out plans that did not revolve around alcohol. She couldn’t find many options, especially in downtown Springfield. She enrolled in the Innovate Springfield Co.Starters program where she developed the idea for the Wakery. In the summer of 2022, Elizabeth launched her business selling non-alcoholic drinks at the Old Capitol Farmers Market. These drinks were a big hit and she started dreaming of a way to expand. Fortunately, she became the very first recipient of the Isringhausen DRIVE Grant, designed to help local entrepreneurs establish new businesses in Downtown Springfield. The generous $20,000 grant assisted Elizabeth with the startup costs associated with opening the brick and mortar location on Fifth Street.
The Wakery has been well received by locals and tourists. Elizabeth receives positive feedback almost daily from people who are thankful that an option like it exists. Currently, the Wakery is only open for special events, but starting March 3rd, the Wakery will be open 7:00 to 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with expanded food options for breakfast and a daily soup option.
Upcoming special events include a Dry January NA Cocktail Class, originally scheduled for Sunday, January 5 at 2:30, is rescheduled due to the winter storm until next Saturday when there will be two events. At 2:30 p.m. the Wakery will hosts the Cocktail Class. Tickets for the course are $25. And, at 4:30 p.m, there will be a Mom Meet Up, giving local moms a chance to mingle.
“Dry January” is a growing trend for people looking to reset after the holidays. The January campaign started in 2013 in the United Kingdom. The campaign’s goals are to help people lose weight, get healthy, and save money. Millions around the world participate. The “Dry January” challenge consists of abstaining from alcohol consumption from January 1st through January 31st. One non-alcoholic option is the Shirley Temple. The drink originated in the 1930s and legend has it that child actress Shirley Temple would complain to her parents who were sipping cocktails at dinner that she didn’t have anything fun to sip. The original recipe for the drink features ginger ale, grenadine, and cherries. Over time the recipe has changed somewhat, with Midwesterners using 7 Up or Sprite, and those on the west coast sticking with ginger ale. Some even add orange juice or other citrus.
At the Wakery, the drink is called the Sheryl E. Temple, after Elizabeth’s mom, longtime Sangamon County Assistant State’s Attorney and Child Advocacy Center prosecutor, Sheryl Essenburg. The Sheryl version is made with Sprite and cherry bitters. No matter the mix, one person who did not like the drink was Shirley Temple herself. In a 1986 interview on public radio she said, “I hate them.” Shirley Temple died in 2014 at the age of 85, one year after Dry January started, and her name continues to be said in bars and restaurants, especially in January.
For more information on the Wakery, visit www.springfieldwakery.com.
