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...
What These 5 Films About Death Teach Us About Life

What These 5 Films About Death Teach Us About Life

Hunter Cates

How These Millennials Are Making the Most of Their WFH Spaces

How These Millennials Are Making the Most of Their WFH Spaces

Grotto

How I Realized the Value of Vulnerability

How I Realized the Value of Vulnerability

Mariah Cressy

Honesty Isn't Just Moral, But Good For You

Honesty Isn't Just Moral, But Good For You

Maria Walley

Avengers, GoT, Star Wars, and the Art of Storytelling

Avengers, GoT, Star Wars, and the Art of Storytelling

Rob Goodale

Meet the Couple Opening Their Home in a Radical Way

Meet the Couple Opening Their Home in a Radical Way

Mike Jordan Laskey

All-Female Mariachi Band Breaks the Mold

All-Female Mariachi Band Breaks the Mold

Grotto

How to Prioritize Fitness In Life After Graduation

How to Prioritize Fitness In Life After Graduation

Claire Krakowiak

Simone Biles Leaves Olympic Competition for Her Mental Health

Simone Biles Leaves Olympic Competition for Her Mental Health

Grotto Shares

4 Ways to Make Almost Any Meal Taste Better

4 Ways to Make Almost Any Meal Taste Better

Anna O'Neil

5 Saint-Inspired Cocktails to Celebrate Their Feast Days

5 Saint-Inspired Cocktails to Celebrate Their Feast Days

Maria Walley

The Motor Inside Camilo’s Music: Vulnerability

The Motor Inside Camilo’s Music: Vulnerability

Vanesa Zuleta Goldberg

Why You Should Know the Work of Henri Nouwen

Why You Should Know the Work of Henri Nouwen

Patty Breen

5 Questions to Help You Pick the Perfect Hobby

5 Questions to Help You Pick the Perfect Hobby

Maria Walley

How Thea Bowman Set an Example for a Divided World

How Thea Bowman Set an Example for a Divided World

Shannon Evans

What It Feels Like to Live in Loneliness

What It Feels Like to Live in Loneliness

Migs Mignanelli

Priests Visiting the Sick are ‘Saints Next Door’

Priests Visiting the Sick are ‘Saints Next Door’

Grotto Shares

Good and Decent S2 | E3: New Beginnings

Good and Decent S2 | E3: New Beginnings

Grotto

If You Want Community, Create One of Your Own

If You Want Community, Create One of Your Own

Josh Flynt

20 Short Videos that Will Inspire You to Be More Grateful

20 Short Videos that Will Inspire You to Be More Grateful

Grotto

newsletter

We’d sure love to be pals.

Like what you see? Make it easy on yourself and we’ll meet you right in your inbox next time.