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Hungry Bars
Astoria resident Vladmir Harkovski got
the idea to sell his homemade granola
bites after he went on a mountain biking
trip in Arizona and shared the snack with
fellow bikers.
“Each and every one of them asked me
where I bought them,” Harkovski said.
He and his wife started the business by
using space in a friend’s bakery to make
the organic, gluten-free granola. The
product line began with the bites, then
came granola (which started from broken
bites and leftovers), then single-serving
bars once Harkovski figured out production
and packaging. There are several
flavors of granola that feature fruit, nuts,
spices and other mix-ins like “G’morning
Sunshine Mix,” “Awesome Apricot” and a
hemp variation.
The couple’s kids have helped out with
the business, and even inspired a flavor.
Harkovski does not like chocolate himself,
but his daughters’ request inspired the
“Chocolate Noir” granola.
Harkovski, who worked on Wall Street
for 15 years, said he had no background
in food, so he experiences a learning
curve in the business. He said joining the
Entrepreneur Space has been helpful as
it not only provides manufacturing space,
but also marketing, networking, sales
leads and support. The goal for the future
is to scale the business with a co-packer
so Harkovski can focus on distribution,
marketing and sales.
Hungry Bars are available online (look
out for a redesign coming soon) and at
specialty shops around the city. Locally,
you can find them in Green Bay Organic,
Vitality and Health and Natural Frontier
Market in Astoria and Foodcellar Market
in Long Island City.
Eats
Photos by Jodi Boatman
Photo courtesy of Entrepreneur Space
Hungry Bars
HUNGRYBARS.COM
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