If you are looking for a colorful, cheerful and calm space to go for food, groceries or to just spend time with friends and family, Buena Bodega is the place to go. After opening on East Main Street in mid December of 2025, it has undergone growth such as expanding its hours and its meals to feature a dinner menu.
The idea for Buena Bodega began when owners Tessa and Rich Bigtree got inspiration from the small, charming towns they visited during their travels.
“We would go to little towns, and we’d always stop in to see their specialty markets and their cafes, and we were really excited to bring that to Ventura,” T. Bigtree said.
In its creation, the goal was to build a relaxing and comfortable space where everyone could go that wouldn’t feel too rushed and a place that had a warm, family friendly vibe that welcomed customers to stay for a while.
“For us, food should be something that’s celebrated and fun and enjoyed with other people and is nothing too serious, so we want to make sure it’s approachable and down to earth,” T. Bigtree said.
Inside, customers can order from an extensive menu at the counter and browse the many shelves and displays full of interesting new snacks and drinks, cookbooks, cards, clothes and more. When they get their food or drink, they can choose to sit on the benches, tables, stools or window seats, which offer plenty of space to admire the views, catch up with friends, or even work.
“I love the vibe, I love their drinks, [and] they have a really unique selection in general and a super unique selection of snack foods. I’ve never seen any of these brands before, and it’s refreshing,” a customer who wishes to remain anonymous shared.
Buena Bodega stands out for many reasons because it offers foods and brands that many haven’t heard of or tried before. All syrups are made fresh in-house, and its ingredients are all thoughtfully sourced.
“I think our specialty market and our bottle shop makes it very unique. We offer brands that are not easily found in grocery stores. We like to support women-owned brands, BIPOC brands and small independent businesses that really put a lot of integrity and care into their products,” T. Bigtree said.
New independent businesses are so important to support, especially ones that truly care for and are inspired by the customer’s comfort and enjoyment. Buena Bodega is here to serve the community in many ways and is definitely worth a visit and trying all of their delicious drinks.
