Company expands reach to Capital City
A POPULAR kava retailer has extended its reach to the Capital City and opened its new kava bar and retail outlet yesterday.
Located along Suva’s Victoria Parade, Praveen’s Kava has facilities for people to sit and enjoy kava with friends including a corporate space for those who wished to enjoy their kava with friends away from the crowd.
Managing director Praveen Kumar said this was their seventh outlet and it would operate 24/7 with three staff members.
With an investment of $50,000,
Mr Kumar said they were optimistic the new business venture would do great in terms of business.
He said they had been in the kava retail business for the past 30 years and were also exporting kava to some markets.
The idea to open a kava bar in Suva was the brainchild of his daughter Hansni Kumar who had shown interest in the business.
Ms Kumar said their kava business had been doing great with the market also growing but there was still scope for further growth and value adding.
“This is our family business and we have been in this business for 30 years and it has not failed. With this new concept and new ideas we plan to grow it further.”
Shiva Anand, company’s manager, has been with the business for the past 20 years and has seen a lot of ups and downs in business.
However Mr Anand said kava business was always growing and it would continue to grow.
Praveen’s Kava has received the Fijian Made certificate from the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport.
Mr Anand said they worked with kava farmers from Serua, Namosi and Beqa and employed about 35 to 40 staff members.