By AMEARA DITSCHE
Editor-in-Chief
A new smoothie spot has popped up at 864 Madison Ave. Situated near student favorites like Paesan’s Pizza and Express Chicken and Gyros, Pure Juice Café brings a healthier option to the block. Their menu includes smoothies and acai bowls, as well as wraps and salads. The bright teal building occupies space that had been unused for over 15 years. Behind the new business is Owusu Anane, local councilman, and his fiancé Emely Beato Mata. Beato Mata handles most of the day to day operations.
A smoothie at PJC will run you $9.59, and a salad or acai bowl will cost $12.99-13.99. In addition to the smoothies and bowls common at similar health food joints, they have avocado toast and similar spin offs like a peanut butter toast topped with fruit and honey, or an avocado one topped with salmon and capers.
“There’s a lot going on right now, and we wanted to do something for the community,” said Beato Mata. She emphasized the importance of having healthy options as a student. “There’s nothing wrong with wings or pizza, we like them too,” she said. “But your brain needs even more nutrients,” she added. She explained how certain ingredients can even help with things like back pain, or help you focus. The couple stressed their commitment to being there for students, who are a large part of the Pine Hills community.
As well as typical seating at benches or a bar style counter, there is a performance space in the back with several rows of seating, and ping pong tables for patrons to play at. Saint Rose student Penny Sierra recently performed at the café. She was walking by the café one day and went in to ask if they were looking for performers. They said yes and as a team they chose a date and Sierra brought her original songs to the café.”it was a pleasure to sing there and i look forward to performing there more often” she said via Instagram DM.
Anane has been a supporter of small businesses throughout his tenure as Councilman of the 9th Ward. Just last year, he was at the grand opening for Bard and Baker, a board game café that has quickly become popular. “Pine Hills is open for business,” said Anane.
The café is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. according to their Instagram. They are actively hiring, and students are welcome to drop off their resumés, especially if they have weekday availability. They are also welcoming performers of all disciplines, like dancers, singers, or musicians. “I’ve always loved art. We are open to all artists,” said Anane.
“The door is open.”
