Founders Nion Sheppard and Rebecca Allen started selling their ultra premium Alua Kombucha at the Mt. Shasta farmers market in 2017. Brewed with Mount Shasta’s famous volcanic spring waters and using other organic and locally grown ingredients, the drink quickly became popular.
Within a year they were selling the kombucha at four farmers markets, and had started a Growler Club where loyal “booch” drinkers could fill jugs of kombucha to take home.
While Alua’s Thrive Bar was growing Nion and Rebecca found great joy in their customers, and the feedback they received. They started conceptualizing a place where people could come and feel lifted up in a social setting that encourages them to seek their highest potential; a place that encourages people to thrive in their daily lives.
(left to right) Nion Sheppard, Rebecca Allen and Alex Hogstrom enjoy some of the treats at Alua’s Thrive Bar; fresh kombucha on tap; superfood-packed lunches. Photo by Paige Hough
In 2019 the couple set their sights on a large building in the downtown district of Mt.Shasta and put the word out that they were considering taking on a partner. Alex Hogstrom, who was retiring from 30 years in the wine industry, contacted them and soon joined the company. “He brought many great skills and ideas to the project, and has always kept us laughing and smiling,” Rebecca says.
Nion and Alex spent the next two years dismantling and upgrading the building on Chestnut Street and refining the project. In January, Alua’s Thrive Bar was born, housing the brewing facility for their popular kombucha and offering an a upbeat and fun atmosphere where people of all ages come for a pick-me-up.
Alua’s Thrive Bar offers five flavors of kombucha, organic locally roasted coffee drinks, superfood smoothies, acai bowls and many healthy superfood-packed wraps, bowls and salads.
“It was a really weird time to try to open a restaurant in a pandemic,” Nion says, “but it seemed to work in our favor.” Now the three owners want to keep expanding their kombucha brand, add more products to their wholesale offerings and open more Thrive Bars in nearby cities.
Nion says, ”Our business is like two businesses in one. One is a manufacturing facility which distributes to a growing area, and the other is an upbeat, healthy bar environment that serves no alcohol. It’s a place for people that want to get lifted naturally.”
Keep an eye out for Alua Kombucha at your favorite lunch spot, and when in Mt. Shasta, stop in to Alua’s Thrive Bar at 315 Chestnut Street. Find them online at AluasThriveBar.com and AluaKombucha.com
Avalanche Acai Bowl
Serves two
3.5 oz organic acai
1/3 cup frozen blueberries
4 frozen strawberries
6 oz oat milk
Half a banana
In a blender, blend all ingredients until the consistency of sorbet.
Add about two ounces of granola to the bottom of a bowl, pour the acai blend in and top with two more ounces of granola. Slice up the rest of banana, slice some strawberries and add them on top.
Juice It up – Fresh, Cool And Healthy in the North State
CHICO
Beber Almond Milk (freshalmondmilk.com) makes fresh almond milks from scratch and the strawberry flavor is the latest seasonal special. Find them at the Saturday Chico Certified Farmers Market and local grocery stores. 144 Meyers St. (check for opening dates.)
Live Life Juice (livelifejuiceco.com) has cold pressed juices, a delicious vegan menu and seasonal vegan ice cream. Find them at the farmers market in Chico and for pickup at their two stores. 220 Broadway St., 2279 Springfield Dr.
Along with their fresh sandwiches and wraps, Fresh Twisted Cafe (ftcafechico.com) makes amazing smoothies and fresh juices to order. 156 S, Eaton Rd.
An all-vegan restaurant, Om On The Range (omontherangechico.com) serves up smoothies, acai bowls, and handcrafted ice drinks. 301 Main St.
REDDING
Roots Juice Bar (rootsjuicebar.com) has tasty smoothies, fresh squeezed juices, kombucha, wellness shots and acai bowls.1950 Pine St. and 1360 Churn Creek Rd.
Asis Juicery (asisjuicery.com) offers healing cleanses, seasonal raw meals, acai bowls, smoothies and more. 930 Hilltop Dr.
RED BLUFF
Vida Juice Bar (find them on Facebook) offers wellness shots, apple nachos, avocado toast, fresh squeezed juice and smoothies. 124 S. Jackson St.
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