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Meet Chase Brendle of Lacuna Kava Bar in Downtown Roosevelt Row Arts District

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Chase Brendle.

Chase, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As a CrossFit gym owner in Florida, I would spend many afternoons at various local kava bars drinking kratom tea as fuel for the double shift teaching morning and evening fitness classes. Before selling my gym, I was in a bad accident, shattered my femur, and was in bed for three months, and learning to walk again for three more months. A blessing in disguise, I was forced to rest and was given an opportunity to evaluate whether I was happy with the life I had created. I decided it was time for a change. The day I signed the business sales contract I walked into Shipwreckers, a local kava bar and my friend Tommy slid me a coconut shell across the bar. He said “You look like you need this” Within minutes the anxiety of the sale was gone and I felt happy and relaxed.

After selling the gym and traveling the entire country by RV, I landed in Phoenix for a lucrative job in the mortgage industry.  Having completed three months of training and licensing, I resigned within 10 days of being on the phones. I simply wasn’t built for a cubicle. So, I thought to myself if I am again an entrepreneur, what is the one thing Phoenix needs, what’s the void I can fill to make the world a better place.

For me, who no longer wants to drink alcohol or be around the rif raf of a traditional alcohol-based establishment, there was nowhere to hang out and make new friends. And so, Lacuna was born. By definition, Lacuna is a space, gap, or hiatus, and to us it is a place where people can come together in a healthy environment.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been strangely easy. Which it often is when you are on the right path. It seems the universe conspires to support you. The amazing Roosevelt Row community has welcomed us with open arms. And beyond that, the people of Phoenix have propelled us forward into an unexpected level of success by bringing friends, sharing on social media, and in short, making sure everyone knows about the unique and fun experience we have brought to Phoenix. The biggest struggle we have faced along the way was building a team of likeminded people who see how important our company vision is and the impact we can have on people’s lives. Creating a committed and supportive team is something I can say we have accomplished and I feel blessed to be working with such amazing people, our kavatenders are simply the best!

Tell us more about your business.
People ask all the time “What is a kava bar?” My answer is that Lacuna is a place where likeminded people can come together and connect in a healthy environment without all the implications and dangers of consuming alcohol. Kava is simply the tool we use to bring people in the door. We are in the business of creating fun, joy, and connection. If you want to come to relax with a kava tea on lunch break from a stressful job or grab a kratom as a pre-workout before the gym, we have a drink for you. We also serve CBD in our teas and have assorted foods and snacks some of which include kava, kratom, or CBD.

What sets us apart from other kava bars is first, our premier service. All of our kavatenders are thoroughly trained in the benefits of each product and how to walk customers through choosing the right plant based drink for how they want to feel. We call it “taking the tour”. We literally spend ten plus munites going through the entire menu and offer samples to everyone that walks in the door.

The second thing that sets us apart is our artisan mocktails. Most kava bars serve kava in the traditional form, an earthy and rather bland brownish tea. We have concocted the most amazing assortment of beverages with a flavor for everyone. We have vegan options too. Our motto when designing the menu was to create drinks where people would come for the flavor and the effects would be an added benefit!

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
National Bosses day was by far the proudest moment of my entire career. In my past business management was my weakest part of running the business. I have very high standards for myself and my business, and communicating expectations in a way that encourages staff is something I hadn’t developed as a salesperson in jobs past. So on National Bosses Day this year, my entire staff got me the most amazing card, filled with handwritten acknowledgments and messages of appreciation for how much they enjoy working at Lacuna. I was literally in tears. It’s a great feeling to take something you know is not a strong suit and to practice it until you are not only proficient but can make a difference in the lives of others.

Pricing:

  • Our drinks range from $6-$12
  • We sell traditional teas, artisan mocktails, mason jars of premade tea togo, and even the powders and supplies to make your own at home!

Contact Info:

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