Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Edit Keshishyan.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started an Acai Bowl cart in November 2013 out of a jiu jitsu gym only because my husband and I were always craving acai bowls but there were no good places in our area to get one. We figured the students would enjoy them as well since acai bowls are big part of the Brazilian jiu jitsu culture. We made our bowls as authentic to Brazilian style bowls as possible and mixing no other fruit or juice in them, just like we get them in Rio De Janeiro. Our small cart started getting popular and people even started a Yelp page for us. Before we knew it, people were driving 30-40 minutes to get an acai bowl. Although this was really exciting, I still did not have any plans of opening a cafe until the space next to the gym became available. After much consideration and a conversation with my very talented chef cousin, I decided to take the space and turn our small acai cart into a cafe. My cousin came on as head chef with a very small but tasty menu that went hand in hand with healthy and delicious acai bowls. I am a fashion designer by trade but had always wanted to own a cafe/ restaurant one day so my chance was here. In July 2015 we opened our doors and have been growing steadily. We take great pride in our very high quality menu items but we also make sure everything is packed with flavor. Aside from our specialty acai bowls, which you can top with many very healthy fruits and superfoods, we also serve smoothies, shakes, Panini, salads, soups, Bulletproof Coffee, Art of Tea and many other healthy and yummy snacks. My vision for the cafe was to have a really calm and positive space where people can relax, listen to really fun world music and eat really good food. The decor is very clean and soothing with lots of white walls, huge birds of paradise plants, a wall of windows for amazing lighting and vibe. I love to travel so the cafe is where lots of my inspirations take life.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Opening a cafe has definitely had its challenges especially because I have never worked in the food industry. I have learned a lot over the last few years. There were bumpy roads while going through construction as the space was not restaurant approved when we first took it over. The initial layout has changed a bit over time as we have grown. There are always appliances that stop working properly and so you have to figure out a way to do without till fixed. Scheduling employees was tricky at the beginning as well as knowing what to look for when hiring team members.

I joke with people that I’m a bit like MacGyver, always solving problems and finding solutions to things. You have to love problem solving I guess.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Acai Jungle Cafe story. Tell us more about the business.
Acai Jungle Cafe is a small cafe specializing in acai bowls. We are known for serving our bowls without mixing other fruit or juice in them. This way you really taste the acai berries. We are also known for serving really delicious shakes like our Coffee Shake which is made of bulletproof cold brew, cashews and cacao nibs. Its raw and vegan but so delicious. Customers always ask if we put ice cream in it 🙂 Our Pesto Chicken Panini is also a must try if you are not vegetarian. It’s made with grilled organic chicken breast that gets marinated in the chef’s special spices. The pesto sauce is made daily with super fresh ingredients and smothered on our pressed ciabatta bread. I think that’s what sets us apart. Serving really fresh, healthy and delicious food made with organic, non-gmo ingredients. It’s also very reasonably priced so it’s a no brainer.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I have always believed that I have good luck regardless of where I am in life. I think being optimistic and always staying positive is crucial. Although I grew up in a very humble home in a soviet style small apartment with just the necessities, I never felt like there was something we didn’t have. I had a very loving family and that seemed to be enough. My father died when I was only 23 and I was basically left to take care of my mother and younger sister. Even then I didn’t think that I had bad luck. I just took it for what it was, although I was very very sad, I stayed focused and started my fashion design company. I did very well and my confidence grew tremendously through that experience. Lots of people including my mother discouraged me from that industry but I believed in myself and had crazy drive. After a few years of success I actually decided to stop my company and start a family. It was hard but I didn’t look back. Ten years and three kids later, my time came back around and the cafe is my new project that brings me gratification and gives me a space to use my creativity.