FOR BREAKING NEWS buzz VISIT www.qns.com AUGUST 4, 2016 • TIMES 23 QUEENS Photos: Maria Gotay/Ridgewood Times Team behind Bushwick’s CENTRAL CAFE AND OWL JUICE PUB opens a Ridgewood outpost BY MARIA GOTAY editorial@ridgewoodtimes.com @RidgewoodTimes Ridgewood is getting hotter, and not just because of last week’s muggy heatwave. It’s heating up with an infl ux of new businesses — venues, bars, yoga studios, and now, a Queens outpost of a Brooklyn favorite. The latest addition to the neighborhood’s food scene is Central Cafe Seneca, a juice bar and coffee shop, located at 487 Seneca Ave., which soft-launched earlier in July. Owners Carmen Valerio and Letty Castillo, who both have Dominican roots and grew up in the Ridgewood/Bushwick area, are model businesswomen. Central Cafe Seneca is their fourth business following the success of Central Cafe and Owl Juice Pub in Bushwick and a juice bar inside Soulfi re Fitness in Williamsburg. Growing up together in Bushwick allowed the two ladies to see eyeto eye with many of their business goals. These efforts shine through in their chain of cafes and juice bars, which not only offer good nutrition but also do good. Both ladies are health nuts, and their cafes bring fresh and nutritious options to areas that lacked health food stores. Seneca’s food and drink menu replicates Wyckoff’s Owl Juice Pub’s triedand true offerings. Our favorite is the Evergreen juice ($5), which features kale, spinach, cucumber, ginger and pineapple. There are also caffeinated options galore! The Morning Glory smoothie ($5.50) is a luscious blend of coffee beans, banana, peanut butter and cacao. Iced treats like matcha or Nutella lattes are both available hot or iced. A cafe is not complete without some tasty, quick fare, and Central is known for its original creations. Bagels are now available at the Seneca location, and in September they’ll offer sandwiches, with bread locally sourced from Grimaldi’s bakery and breakfast options, like quiche and pastries. Until then, nom on the Green Bagel, dressed up with arugula, spinach, cucumber, sprouts and avocado ($4). Juices and iced coffee are also available now, but smoothies and specials will roll out in September. Carmen and Letty’s businesses not only bring health to the neighborhood also give back. Their business model prioritizes youth empowerment and increased opportunity. At their cafes, they hire and train teenagers from the Ridgewood Bushwick Youth Center (RBYC). Here, Central Cafe “gives the kids an opportunity to learn a trade,” providing them with “survival skills” for their careers in the real world. Alexis, 23, behind the counter feels lucky to have received training and a job at Central Cafe through the RBYC. He stirs up an iced coffee with professionalism and a smile. Artists are also getting an opportunity thanks to Central Cafe’s arrival. The walls of the brand-new shop are blank for now, but the pair is actively seeking artists to hang work to sell. There is no commission, so not only will your art get lots of eyes, but you’ll also make all the money if it sells! Together the duo brings quality food, drink and opportunity to their community. Stop by Central Cafe Seneca to see where all the heart is! Owners Letty Castillo and Carmen Valerio ‘Summer Nights’ with a classic Broadway musical in M.V. & Glendale The Jubilee Cluster Players will be delighting crowds in Glendale and Middle Village over the next two weekends with their production of the classic Broadway musical “Grease.” The 1950s-themed show is directed by Barbara Auriemma, with music directed by Frank Auriemma and choreography by Christine Hinz. As shown, the cast includes Austin Auriemma, Nic Anthony Calabro, Amina Cunningham, Jennifer Cove, Olivia Davis, Navin Daz, Daniella DiSanti, Emily DiSanti, Amy Ellis, Anthony Faubion, Jessica Helton, Charles Hinz, Michelle Meditz, Richard Miller, Dennis Popp, Melanie Pozarycki, Matt Rosen, Shermeen Saeed, Jennifer Silverman Angel Vail, Jason Wieder, Kimberly Wrona and Mark York. Performances are on Aug. 5 and 6 at Glendale/Maspeth United Methodist Church and Aug. 7, 13 and 14 at Community United Methodist Church in Middle Village. For ticket information, call 917-647-7526 or visit www.jcplayers.com.
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