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Gone teetotal, but you still want to go to a bar?

Well, look no further than the new North Main Kava Bar in Lowell. Newlyweds Sam and Bambe Johnson recently opened the establishment in downtown Lowell as an alternative to bars serving beer, wine and spirits.

And when they first began thinking of starting this business on their own, they reached out to the Gaston College Small Business Center. According to the college, they received advice about potential challenges and whether theirs was a viable idea. They also received assistance in building their business plan.

“I don’t think we would be open if it weren’t for the small business center,” Mrs. Johnson recently said.

One of the main benefits of kava bars is that they offer a natural alternative to alcohol. And for those who aren’t interested in kava or kratom (a South Asian cousin of coffee that has opioid qualities) but would still like to get in on the sober bar activities, the Johnsons also sell coffee, hot cocoa and sodas.

As for kava, it’s known throughout the Pacific Polynesian world, including Hawaii. According to scientists at the British-based Cochrane Collaboration, kava is possessed of sedative, anaesthetic and euphoric qualities, and it has been shown to reduce anxiety. However, the caveat is that, rather like alcohol, it, too, can cause liver damage.

Have an idea for a small business? Need help? Contact the Gaston College Small Business Center by telephone or e-mail respectively at (704) 922-6447 or [email protected].

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