Bar ‘Bucha: Not Just Any New Business

A new store opened Saturday in Saugatuck. Bar ‘Bucha — next to Tutti’s — fits right into the revitalized neighborhood. Offbeat, funky and fun, it introduces kombucha — a fermented drink made with a black tea base — to Westporters, who always seek the next healthful thing.

But that’s only half the story.

Here’s the kicker. Bar ‘Bucha is owned by Aishah Avdiu. It’s her 1st commercial venture. That makes sense: She’s still just a senior at Staples High School.

You wouldn’t know it to talk to her. With a family background in business — her father is a real estate developer, her mom works in the fashion industry — and her intense, no-nonsense manner, she’s ready to make her mark.

And she’s doing it her way.

Aishah Avdiu

Aishah’s family has enjoyed kombucha for years. Probiotic, low in sugars and calories, it’s used to treat intestinal issues and clean up skin.

Kombucha is “a delicious drink with a super kick,” Aishah says. With a 1 to 2 % less than 0.5% alcohol content — not enough to qualify as an alcoholic drink — it comes in a variety of flavors. Bar ‘Bucha will serve ginger, mixed berry, lavender chamomile, citrus hops and others, in bottles and from taps. There will be healthy snacks too, but no other food or drink.

If that does not sound like an ordinary business venture, you’re right. And if it does not sound like a business a teenage girl would start, you’re even more right.

Aishah Avdiu, with her kombucha taps. (Photo/Quincy Cuthbertson for Inklings)

Aishah is no ordinary teenage girl. As a sophomore, she took accounting on a whim. Inspired by teacher Lenny Klein — and realizing she had good business sense — she signed up for every business course Staples offers.

Advanced Placement Economics with Jon Shepro, and 2 semesters of Personal Finance with Sarah White, stoked her interest and creativity.

Last May, Aishah looked at the notes she’d kept on possible businesses. A kombucha bar stood out. It was an unfilled niche, in a fitness-conscious town.

She researched sources, traveling to other states to sample the best products.

She found empty space next to Tutti’s, then sold the landlord on her plan. She got an investor, and secured loans. She even joined the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce.

With advice from her parents — and knowledge gained in her classes — Aishah dove headfirst into the work of zoning, building and health permits.

She hoped to open in October. HVAC issues pushed that back to last Saturday. It was one lesson in the reality of retail.

Another reality: You can’t personally staff a store on weekdays, when you’re still in school.

Aishah’s arranged for coverage when she’s not there. But when the bell rings, she’ll head to Riverside Avenue.

Bar ‘Bucha is not her after-school job. It’s her fulltime business.

We’ll drink to that.

Some of Bar ‘Bucha’s selections. (Photo/Quincy Cuthbertson for Inklings)