Creating an environment where people can relax and enjoy themselves over kava, has always been a business idea for Julie Narayan.

It was only after a conversation held over lunch with the sister in-law and her husband, Jai Shankar, that the business idea turned into what is called today “Aunty Julie’s Kava Bar”.

The kava bar is located at Carnarvon Street in Suva.

Speaking on behalf of the business, Mr Shankar said the idea of opening a kava bar in Suva was something that they had in mind for a couple of years but the only problem was finding a vacant space to start the business.

“We were interested in having a kava bar somewhere in Suva, so we decided to have a look at this place.

“The reason we chose this particular location is that it is heavily populated by civil servants.

“At around lunch hour, we see Taxi drivers mixing kava at the base and when I asked them, they said there is no location for them to sit down and have a mix of kava after work to spend some time with friends.”

Mr Shankar adds the kava bar was also inspired from the booming kava market in USA.

Investment

Aside from selling kava, the bar will also have a Fijian restaurant where local dishes will be sold.

“We are looking at investing around $7,000 – $10,000.

“My sister runs her restaurant business that is City Cottage, while my wife and I we run this Kava Bar.

“We also got a car business and which opens at 6.30 until late for customers.

“So while they have their car washed, they can have a bowl of kava as well.

“We have a Pool table and we plan to install a TV for entertainment purposes as well as a daily shop for buying chaser,” he said.

Competition

According to Mr Shankar, competition is not much of a factor as they are the only kava bar in Suva.

“There is no kava bar in Suva so there is not much competition and hopefully people will see that and I do know that some other customers will start to open up some of this kind of business because Kava is something that has a boom in the market.

“With the festive season coming up, people can come here during their lunch hour and spend time,” said Mr Shankar.

There is also a popular Kava Bure in Damodar City, Laucala.

Business performance

Aunty Julie’s Kava Bar first opened in October this year.

“On the first day we managed to get $150 worth of business but this is new so there won’t be an overturn in a week or in a month but definitely this business will grow because there has been a lot of requests.

“We are getting a proper shed done where there will be television set placed, there will also be a washroom placed for customers, there will be a lot of new facilities so that we comply with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements.”

The kava bar employs three people. Kava is supplied from Dagai, Kabariki in Kadavu and we plan to sell hand pounded kava,” he said.

The business opens from 6.30am until 12pm or 2am, depending on the number of customers.

Feedback: laiseana.nasiga@fijisun.com.fj