About ten years ago, Tim Baca, one of the partners at HydroBar, had a persistent salesman who was trying to sell him an expensive machine that would produce ionized alkaline water. Tim told us, “I just thought water was water… I mean I grew up in a small town and would drink water from a garden hose. It took several months for me to even give him my time and finally one day I just said, well show it to me.” The salesman performed a test demo that measured the level of antioxidants and minerals in the water. Tim was impressed and purchased one of the units.
He found that his entire family felt better from the mineral intake, the antioxidants, and the better hydration that the device was providing. Tim says, “Your body is over 70% water so the more hydrated are you, your body feels better, and so we thought well let's just share this water with friends and family. So we shared it for several years. My wife Julie would tell people about the water and people would come to my house to pick it up. I never charged anybody for it, so for over four years we just gave it away, but the stories we heard from people who were using it were compelling.”
Six years ago, Tim partnered with other investors to start HydroBar in northeast Albuquerque where they sell ionized alkaline water as well as the Enagic machines that dispense it so that customers can produce their own water at home. The medical-grade machines are manufactured in Osaka, Japan by a company that has been in business for 50 years.
Their water is very popular, with about 100 customers a day coming in to resupply their ionized alkaline water. While we were there for the interview and watching customers come in, it was apparent that they were very enthusiastic for HydroBar’s products. They supply water for UNM’s sports teams and one of the largest MMA gyms in the country. MMA athletes test their hydration during training and have found that it provides a higher level of body hydration.
The water has other benefits. It’s good for a gentle and refreshing cleansing of the face, it’s good for plants, it’s good for cooking and to clean fruits and vegetables as an oil emulsifier, it has a strong cleaning and disinfectant effect for wound care and countertops, and this writer found out that it makes a great espresso brew as well.
This is not the reverse osmosis that is common with other bottled water. That process strips the water of minerals and antioxidants.
We found that the regular customers were very committed to this product, and, of course, anything that aids in hydration in the southwest desert is a good thing. Some people come in to relax, have a water, and use the WIFI. They have plans to open an oxygen bar on their premises, too.
HydroBar is at 7400 Montgomery Blvd NE. Their phone number is 505.588.2634. The HydroBar Facebook page has videos that provide more details about the beneficial qualities of ionized alkaline water.