By Stefan Yablonski
Behind Mexico Liquor, a new small business emerged from a fire damaged laundromat on East Main Street — Steph’s Beer Cabin & Specialty Grocery. It’s owned by Stephanie Jumalon. We caught up with her.
Q: How’d this start?
A: I spent nearly a year rebuilding and reimagining the space into a rustic cabin-style grocery.
Q: What’s special about it?
A: It’s a place where customers can shop local while feeling like they’re walking into a cabin in the Adirondacks rather than a traditional store. It’s a little bit of everything – all rolled into one.
Q: Was it hard to start?
A: I opened as a grocery March 27 and am working to obtain a beer license. Under state regulations, new beer retailers must establish themselves as a functioning grocery and become SNAP-approved before moving forward with alcohol licensing.
Q: What do you offer?
A: Locally sourced products; only exception is my main grocery. We have fresh sourdough bread from Breaking Bread Bakery; honey from Irish Bee; USDA-certified beef and tallow products from Charlie Farms; homemade jams, specialty pickles, dipping oils from Mad Pickle Company, fresh milk and butter from Comley’s Country Creamery, cheeses and spreads from 1,000 Islands River Rat Cheese Company and other local goods – including homemade doggie treats.
Q: How’s business been?
A: I’ve reached people from Fort Drum to Bath. The community support has meant everything. I cannot believe the support I’ve been getting. I have a 13-year-old regular. He rides his bike here — loves our pickles. They’re handmade and sold exclusively here … unless you go to a farmers’ market. He was here for a tasting; never had homemade fresh pickles. He tried regular dill, sweet and pickle garlic, which is amazing! The most popular items so far are the pickles, if you’d try it, you’d understand.
Q: Do you have any staff?
A: I’m sole proprietor. It is just me!
