Alvarenga opened Daisy\u2019s Juice Bar & Caf\u00e9 in April 2022, looking to create something that would fill a gap in the neighborhood.\n<\/p>\n
After her mother was diagnosed with cervical cancer, Alvarenga struggled to find healthy food options nearby while caring for her. She opened the cafe offering nutritious, customized meal plans for customers managing diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer. As demand shifted and the meal plan program became difficult to sustain, the business evolved into a neighborhood gathering place.<\/p>\n
But that mission was tested late last year when repeated flooding from an upstairs apartment forced the cafe to close for roughly five months. Alvarenga said sewer water damaged the walls, equipment and much of the interior, forcing her and her business partner to gut and rebuild the space from the ground up. The repairs cost about $50,000, and rent continued to accrue while the business was closed.<\/p>\n
![\"Daisy's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_5847.jpg\")
Daisy\u2019s Juice Bar and Caf\u00e9 expanding next door to open dining space for customers. Here, customers drink, eat, and work. Local artists display their work at Daisy\u2019s without a commission fee. Photo by Marina Samuel<\/p>\n
\u201cI think God works in mysterious ways because even though it was like a dark moment for me, I was like, \u2018You know something, I\u2019m not gonna let this, you know, ruin my parade! I\u2019m gonna close, but I\u2019m gonna rebuild it, and I\u2019m gonna make it better.\u2019\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Today, the business can cover its current operating expenses but is still paying off rent that accumulated during the closure.\n<\/p>\n
At the urging of a customer, Alvarenga recently launched a GoFundMe campaign<\/a> to help cover a portion of the rent she owes. She said she initially hesitant to fundraise, but has received support since the launch.<\/p>\n \u201cMy fear with the GoFundMe was that I was going to be rejected by the community,\u201d Alvarenga said. \u201cBut it\u2019s been the opposite of that. Everybody has come together.\u201d<\/p>\n The fundraiser has drawn donations, but Alvarenga said neighbors have also shown their support by sharing the campaign<\/a> online and stopping by the cafe.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are doing everything in our power to stay open and continue to provide this space for the community,\u201d she said. Rather than cutting back to save money, the owners expanded what the cafe offers. Daisy\u2019s now hosts book clubs, sewing workshops, game nights and rotating artwork. Local artists can display and sell their work without paying commission, and teenagers can access information about job training opportunities. The cafe also includes a dining area and a free community library.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not always about the money,\u201d Alvarenga said. \u201cIt\u2019s also about bringing that sense of community back into our streets and protecting the kids and guiding them. I am a mother, so the same way I treat your kid, I would like my kid to be treated if you ever came across my child.\u201d<\/p>\n The cafe continues to plan new programming despite its financial challenges. Alvarenga is organizing a back-to-school block party that will include free school supplies, produce, haircuts and community resources from local organizations.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not all about just being here and servicing. Yeah, the food is good. Everything is good, but we should also ask businesses to be community leaders and advocate for our community as much as we can,\u201d Alvarenga said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what this cafe has become.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Reach Marina Samuel at msamuel@schnepsmedia.com. For more coverage, subscribe to our\u00a0newsletter<\/a> and follow us on Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram!<\/a><\/p>\n
\n![\"Daisy's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_5839.jpg\")
Daisy\u2019s Juice Bar and Caf\u00e9 has a free community library, supported through book donations from customers. Photo by Marina Samuel\n<\/p>\n