Kravings Kafe: A Haitian-Owned Café Offering Fresh…

Kravings Kafe, a Haitian-owned café in Brooklyn, focuses on fresh, preservative-free treats. Founded by Elveda Dorce and Zayveon Kimble as a family legacy, the café blends unique dining experiences with health-conscious offerings. Despite challenges such as reduced foot traffic and financial strains, community support revitalized the business, leading to future aspirations of growth and franchise development.

Kravings Kafe, a Haitian-owned café in Mill Basin, Brooklyn, opened in September 2023, offering fresh, preservative-free treats. Founded by Elveda Dorce and husband Zayveon Kimble, the café aims to create a unique dining experience while serving as a legacy for their children. The name ‘Kravings’ symbolizes their two sons, with plans for their daughter to be represented too.

Initially, Dorce and Kimble considered opening an ice cream shop after their children enjoyed ice cream during a Florida trip. However, they were inspired by rolled ice cream and 2D café themes prevalent in Asia and Africa, leading them to establish a café focusing on high-quality, fresh ingredients.

Kravings Kafe differentiates itself with a health-conscious menu. “Everything we use has no preservatives or additives,“ said Dorce. Their ice cream is crafted to maintain texture longer, and they also make acai bowls in-house using a rolled ice cream machine, imparting a unique consistency compared to other options.

Despite a strong start, the café has confronted difficulties due to reduced foot traffic around the area. Originally, the park nearby drew many families, but attendance sharply decreased in spring 2023, impacting multiple businesses including Kravings Kafe. “We don’t know what happened,“ voiced Dorce regarding the sudden decline.

By late 2023, financial pressures mounted for the business. Kimble lost supplementary income from a contract job while Dorce, dealing with a high-risk pregnancy, could not manage operations. Their situation forced a temporary closure in December due to increasing costs and dwindling revenues.

The café regained attention in January after being highlighted on the Instagram account “Success is Us,” catching the eye of celebrities and food critics. While support surged from the Caribbean and Haitian communities, they also faced new complications, reopening with limited hours amidst staffing and childcare challenges.

Owner Dorce expressed surprise at the heightened attention and acknowledged a need for better resources and support for Black entrepreneurs. “Other ethnicities often have more access to resources, but we have to figure things out on our own,” she mentioned, highlighting a common struggle in the entrepreneurial journey.

Nevertheless, optimism persists for the couple as they aspire to franchise their brand, emphasizing that they offer both sweet and healthy options. “We’re not just an ice cream shop,” said the owner. They hope to create a sustainable business grounded in quality and cultural pride, actively engaging with the community for support.

To encourage local patronage, Kravings Kafe is providing a 10% discount to patrons who mention this article. “We still believe in our vision,“ stated Dorce. “We just need our community to believe in us, too.”

Kravings Kafe has emerged as a unique dining destination in Brooklyn, serving fresh, preservative-free treats and reflecting the cultural pride of its Haitian ownership. While the business has faced challenges such as decreased foot traffic and financial strains, the couple’s dedication and community support have fueled a resurgence. With aspirations to grow and franchise, Kravings Kafe aims to embody both health-conscious options and a rich cultural legacy.

Original Source: www.caribbeanlife.com