According to Indian folklore, nothing grows under the banyan tree but 45 years down, a banyan tree throws its protective canopy on Scarlet Juice Centre in Chapora helping it keep time with growth.
“You cannot compare the business now with what it was before. There has been a drastic drop in foreign clients but it does not really matter much because we started 45 years back to serve and we continue doing just that,” smiles proprietor Vaikunt Govekar.
Scarlet started as a family venture in the early 70s and is still run that way with sister Amita helping brother Vaikunt and the two, now with the help of a staff member, keeping alive the embers of service through Goan hands.
“In the beginning,” relates Vaikunt as sister Amita brings in fresh orders, "foreigners from all over frequented our place. We started a juice centre then because that was their need that has not quenched.”
Scarlet started selling juice at Rs 5 and today it costs Rs 80; a lassi was then priced at Rs one and today costs Rs 50. A fruit salad which cost Rs 5 in 1975 costs Rs 90 in 2024.
“The place belongs to us and most of the time, we work as a family. It is only now that we have got staff but the basics are managed by us and hence our pricing,” explains Amita.
Fresh fruits, peeled and cut to order are the hallmark of Scarlet and what makes it stand out from most juice centres in Goa. Unlike other places, a fruit salad at Scarlet takes around 10 minutes to be served because nothing is peeled and stored.
Apart from selling juices, shakes, salads and ice creams, the Govekars were the first in Chapora to provide sound, generators and light for parties organised by foreigners in the 70s.
“I used to drive down to Scarlet from Calangute for a shake or juice in the 80s just to inquire where and when the next party would be held. It was the centre point of parties,” recollects Bruno.
Started for foreigners, Scarlet slowly started attracting locals and was soon a centre point for east meeting west with musicians from both ends discussing music with juices and puffs of vintage charas.
“The situation today is different from before. There are few foreigners coming now. The first Russians came in 2000 and since then there has been a drop with few repeat customers unlike the past,” admits Amita.
Despite the drop in pace of business, the spirit of Govekars keeps everyone happy as they step in. Amita throws a peculiar welcome smile whilst brother Vaikunt churns out the orders.
The situation today is different from before. There are few foreigners coming now. The first Russians came in 2000 and since then there has been a drop with few repeat customers unlike the past
Amita
“Despite most of the family having moved away, the two of us still manage to keep the show going. We are getting old but it is the positivity of our clients that helps us,” confesses Amita.
“There was a time when the latest music could be heard at Scarlet as some of the best musicians of the world used to meet up there. It was a mini studio where music, sound, parties and lights were discussed over the best of shakes and juices,” admits Allan, one of the oldest clients.
“Our pricing is reasonable because this place has been left behind for us by our ancestors. We don’t need to pay rent and hence less expense. Our idea has always been to serve fresh and best,” says Vaikunt as he peels a papaya.
There was a time when something fruity could be ordered at Scarlet well past midnight. Times are now changing with the place sometimes closing as early as 10 pm.
Despite a drop in foreign visitors, Scarlet is still frequented by the children of those children who once were brought to Scarlet for a treat for being good. Good days don’t die and so will not good times at Scarlet - one of the few places in Chapora that radiates with the essence of Goa through the smiles of Amita and Vaikunt.
