Business

‘It’s Just Been Amazing’: Barvida Marks One Year on Elm Street

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Asked what his first year in business in downtown New Canaan has been like, Barvida owner Brennan Branca says “it’s been overwhelmingly positive.”

The organic vegan juice bar and café he opened last November at 137 Elm St. has seen a steady stream of customers, according to the Darien native, and his business is integrating into the community in ways he couldn’t anticipate. 

The New Canaan location is Branca’s second, after his native Darien, though even there he had patrons coming down from the “Next Station To Heaven” to sample cold-pressed juices, smoothies and organic foods including bowls, wraps, salads and toasts. “When we were in Darien, we had a bunch of people from New Canaan come over and ask us to open,” Branca recalled. “And as soon as we opened, we had a bunch of people come in that kind of knew the name and honestly, everyone in New Canaan has been extremely nice, more so than I could ever imagine. They were extremely welcoming.

News

Who Knew? Drying Out Your January, One Hour at a Time

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‘Who Knew?’ is sponsored by Walter Stewart’s Market. 

There are few experiences that are more boring than someone yammering on about how successful their Dry January has been, so let me be the first to assure you that this column was written with a glass of my favorite Spanish white wine by my side. Txakoli is crisp, lightly effervescent, and dry. If dry wine isn’t the point of dry January, let’s at least call it thematically compliant and move along. 

In the 1950s, France’s government launched a public service campaign to temper the wine-drinking habits of her citizens–albeit lightly. The recommended amount was one liter per day. And while that seems hilariously high (and hilariously French), it’s also worth noting that wine in the 1950s was weaker than it is now.

Business

‘Barvida’ Organic Vegan Juice Bar and Café Opens on Elm Street

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A new organic vegan juice bar and café has opened in the heart of downtown New Canaan. Darien’s Brennan Branca opened his second location of Barvida on Nov. 12 at 137 Elm St., next to the alley by Chef Luis. The business’s first store opened in Darien in 2020. Serving cold-pressed juices, smoothies and organic foods including bowls, wraps, salads and toasts, Barvida is focused on “providing the absolute highest-quality ingredients that we can possibly source,” Branca told NewCanaanite.com on a recent afternoon.

Business

Organic Food Provider ‘Barvida’ Planned for Elm Street

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An organic, plant-based juice bar and café is planned for a vacant storefront on Elm Street. 

Barvida, which opened a location in Darien more than one year ago, is planned for 137 Elm St. in New Canaan, according to a building permit application filed with the town. An estimated $100,000 interior fit-out is planned for the commercial space, according to the application, filed April 25. Barvida LLC is listed as the tenant/lessee on the application, which calls for a remodel with electrical and plumbing alterations, installation of an ADA bathroom, service counters and a food service ceiling with food prep areas. Barvida seeks to “provide our customers with premium nutritional beverages, meals, and products that are specifically curated for health & wellness without compromising on flavor (no more sad salads here),” according to its website.