Nestled in North Goa, Bistro Vagator feels like a haven of tranquillity during the day and a high-spirited place to unwind at night. As you step into the cozy café, its unpretentious and welcoming interiors rejuvenate your soul. This cocoon is the labour of love of a Mumbai-resident, Preeti Dogra, who left her corporate job to start a café of her own, and a beautiful one at that.
How many times have you gone to Goa and wondered if someday, you could simply move there? Maybe start your café or a shack and as they say, simply ‘seas the day’! Dogra, has turned what many only dream about into a very promising reality.
It all started when she was holidaying in Goa with her friends, and then she thought to herself, ‘What if I give myself more reasons to return to and be in Goa?’ Her first foot in hospitality was a homestay venture Holiday Abode In, in Goa, and today it also has branched to Himachal. Later, she found a business partner in a friend with whom Dogra started Bistro Vagator. “We started Bistro Vagator in 2019. However, in 2020 the pandemic happened. A lot of work remained pending, and things did not move as per the plan at that point in time. We were rattled trying to understand if we should go ahead or we should put it on hold,” Dogra revealed.
However, with her passion soaring high, there was no way that she was going to give it all up after coming this far. “We gave it a thought and decided that if we have started something, we must give it a shot. If it's not a success, we can all go back to what we were doing,” Dogra spoke about the brave chance she took.
And aren’t we glad she let the show go on! Eventually, with restrictions easing, things started to really pick up and Bistro Vagator started buzzing with energy again. During the day, you cherish the expansive verdant beauty of this space over a game of UNO with your friends. At night, you can simply unwind, and let the upbeat music lift your spirits or even test your singing skills during their karaoke night.
If you are a pet parent, fret not—Dogra ensures her space is as welcoming to animals as it is to their ‘hoomans’. “At Bistro Vagator, we have dedicated some treats, some water bowls, and some meal bowls for your pets when you visit us,” Dogra reveals. She also intends to hold events for people with their furry friends.
What one usually gushes over is the dreamy quotient of owning a café in Goa. But none of it comes devoid of its own share of challenges. Dogra reveals that being a restaurateur comes with sleepless nights before upcoming events, being ready to dedicate all special occasions such as Christmas and New Year’s to ensure other people are enjoying their time, and getting a lot of things done on a daily basis.
To top that, being a woman entrepreneur brought in an added layer of challenges. Dogra revealed she was questioned by friends and family on why she wants to start a café, why she has to work late nights, and why as a mom, she has to spend so much time away from the city. “There were ifs and buts and nos but then there was nothing stopping me,” Dogra expressed.
Speaking of how she is growing Bistro Vagator’s presence, Dogra revealed that she has been focussing on increasing its digital footprint through social media platforms. Giving an idea of when to expect profits from the venture, Dogra reveals, “Profits are not yet hit. But yes, the backlog of our books has been 90 per cent cleared from where it started in 2019 completely.”