The Buena Vida Bodega is a curated shop within the Garfield community created by Jackie Garay and TJ Taber to provide a shopping experience far different from a traditional corner store. Opened in September of 2021, this shop is nestled near the corner of 10th Street and Pierce.
MORE NEWS: More Latinas emerge in leadership roles for Arizona business
With crystals set on the counter, plants hanging in the window front and the smell of incense lingering in the air, this space is like stepping into the good life. Garay explains that it was inspired by “a little bit of everything, but overall by our travels to South America. We noticed that every neighborhood had, essentially, a third space. A community within walking distance.” The store’s personality and laid-back environment allow curious customers to relax and browse the hand-picked wares.
The space was formerly Pueblo plant shop before they outgrew it and expanded their business to their current location on Grand Avenue. “It’s so funny because a lot of our house plants were from Pueblo before we purchased the space,” says Garay. “But it was a place that we loved to frequent. It was nice to be able to walk to it and support a local business. And to see a business grow and prosper into a location and have this space be available for the next wave of entrepreneurs.”
The bodega strays from the beaten path of traditional corner store goods, stocking curated items that include unique plants, glass-blown drinkware, mystic goods and restaurant-grade snacks. Taber’s background in hospitality and being a drink coordinator of a local restaurant shines with the shop’s selection of local craft beer and wine selection.
Pairing Garay’s interior design background and Taber’s beverage curation experience, the Buena Vida Bodega won Phoenix Magazine’s Best Boutique Booze Shop in 2024, which is proudly displayed on the front door. They opened the shop and built it themselves just after the pandemic. With the couple living in the neighborhood, they wanted to bring that feeling of community to the walkable Garfield district. The bodega creates that welcoming feeling by hosting local events and pop-ups with local vendors, from open mic nights to practicing yoga in their greenhouse space adjacent to their storefront.
Working with a wide array of vendors, Buena Vida was also tasked with compiling a list of vendors to showcase their talents at VIVA PHX, a music festival located in downtown Phoenix. “The VIVA relationship started with JT. He was connected with Matt [Baquet] of Best Life Presents from his days of working with him in Tucson, booking music talent and event production. It was a serendipitous partnership,” says Garay.
The Buena Vida Bodega is in a unique location within the same building as Blok Photo Studio and Sister hair salon, with two restaurants across the street, Gallo Blanco Café and Welcome Diner. The combination of businesses adds to the community value and feeling of connection. But they all carry the same feeling of making you feel right at home in the Garfield district.
