Watch

Harlem Juice Bar Brings Healthy Choices to the Neighborhood

Creator:
Published:
December 22, 2023
July 24, 2021
Watch Oasis Juice Bar owner Abdi help the community's lifestyle.|Oasis-Juice-Bar|Oasis-Juice-Bar-Square

Abdi is a refugee from Ethiopia who opened a juice bar in Harlem, NYC. He changed his diet for health reasons and opened his juice bar to help others eat healthier, too.

"I want to improve the community lifestyle," he shares.

Video Transcript

Harlem, New York: Abdi Abajabal arrived in New York as a refugee. He now owns a juice bar in Harlem.

Abdi Abajabal: So people, they come up, they (are) excited — a new juice bar open in the neighborhood. They ask me, "You have kale?" I don’t know kale at that time. I tell them, "What is that?" They ask me, “You don’t know kale, and then you gonna open juice bar?"

I run out from home when I was 14 because of my family situation and the political (situation) in Ethiopia. I spent five years in Kenya — a refugee camp in Nairobi. After a long journey, I arrived in New York City.

Here, I think everything is going to be accessible, simple. You get the best medicine — you think, I am going to get the best, you know, treatment. But the doctor, once you're in, the first thing is that they ask you is if you have insurance. The second thing is like, When are you going to come back?

A little bit difficult, communicating with the doctor — so that's why I just have to, like, look at different alternatives. And then I start nutrition, I read, and then I changed my diet, I feel better. So I start wondering: like me, there are other people who have the same condition, but they don’t — where are they gonna eat? And then a lot of people don't have an option, and then I start: "Oh, if I change my diet at home, maybe they help someone, too — to bring this awareness."

(Speaking to customer) Good morning!

Customer: Smoothie with soy.

Abdi: I started with the help of a lot of people, including coming to this country. So even for me, it is my purpose to live. I want to improve the community lifestyle, so that's why I start a nutrition class here.

In his free time, Abdi teaches nutrition classes at local schools.

Since I opened, my business keeps growing. I have another location. And my service, too: I'm always giving extra than what the customer asks, because I want the customer happy — information-wise, kindness. For me, nutrition is important, being healthy is important, so I have to give the best way I can.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
December 22, 2023
July 24, 2021
On a related note...
The Journaling Exercise that Boosted My Creativity

The Journaling Exercise that Boosted My Creativity

Hunter Cates

In an Upside-Down Pandemic World, I Found Stability in Books

In an Upside-Down Pandemic World, I Found Stability in Books

Liz Colleran

Stephen Colbert Opens Up About Grief and LOTR

Stephen Colbert Opens Up About Grief and LOTR

Grotto Shares

What It Took to Find a Community in a New City

What It Took to Find a Community in a New City

Mary Cunningham

Was I Healed In a Miracle? Maybe

Was I Healed In a Miracle? Maybe

Jessica Mannen Kimmet

Ease into Summer with a Minor League Baseball Game

Ease into Summer with a Minor League Baseball Game

Mike Jordan Laskey

Slowing Down to Find Refuge in the Woods

Slowing Down to Find Refuge in the Woods

Lucy Cobble

'More Than A Book Club' Makes Reading Fun

'More Than A Book Club' Makes Reading Fun

Grotto

Winter Cocktails: Warming You From the Inside

Winter Cocktails: Warming You From the Inside

Ken Hallenius

Good and Decent EP 15: Occupation Proclamations

Good and Decent EP 15: Occupation Proclamations

Grotto

7 Tips for Packing for a Big Move

7 Tips for Packing for a Big Move

Marye Colleen Larme

5 Simple Ways To Not Let The Summer Pass You By

5 Simple Ways To Not Let The Summer Pass You By

Lillian Fallon

Providing a Safe, Fun Environment for Children in Foster Care

Providing a Safe, Fun Environment for Children in Foster Care

Grotto

Finding Beauty in Chicago

Finding Beauty in Chicago

Grotto

5 Tips for Starting a Sugar Detox

5 Tips for Starting a Sugar Detox

Christine Chu

5 Ways to Pray When Loneliness Hits

5 Ways to Pray When Loneliness Hits

Molly C. Sheahan

Sister Barbara Visits Death Row

Sister Barbara Visits Death Row

Grotto

Holy Week Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Holy Week Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Finding Comfort in This Medieval Woman’s Words

Finding Comfort in This Medieval Woman’s Words

Mary Frances Myler

Living the Season Between Thanksgiving and Christmas

Living the Season Between Thanksgiving and Christmas

Jessica Mannen Kimmet

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.