As some of you know by now, one of my favorite places to spend some free time, socialize with the locals and listen to live jazz is the new PeaceLove cafe located at 617 Melrose Avenue between E 151st and E 152nd Streets. After living in such neighborhoods as the East Village and Kips Bay in Manhattan and finally resettling back in the neighborhood that I was raised in, it is truly a great feeling that the first and only cafe of its kind in Melrose has opened.
PeaceLove is the brainchild of one of the South Bronx’s very own daughters, Darada David (owner and founder of PeaceLove), who was born and raised just a few blocks in nearby Betances Projects on East 143rd Street and St. Ann’s. Ms. David has spent all her life involved in the arts and music whether performing in bands, at church or as choir director. She also attended the famous LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan which further enriched her experience as an artist and musician.
So what exactly is PeaceLove Cafe? According to Darada, it is not only a dream but was a new years resolution this year to start her own business. She pursued her goal even after being rejected by the bank she has done business with for so many years as well as several well known lenders who told her about her business plan, “That’s nice but would “those” people want that in that neighborhood?” That and the fact that she knew The Bronx and the South Bronx needed a place like this only pushed her harder to proceed with her plans. “PeaceLove is a health food cafe…a place you can come in and relax, enjoy a cup of organic coffees and organic fair trade teas, home made salads, sandwiches, wraps while either surfing the Internet on one of the public laptops or listening to live jazz on certain evenings,” says Darada. She also goes on to say that she wants to change the environment where one socializes…in other words, provide options since most local places, “you either get too drunk (read: bars) or get sick after eating not-so-healthy food.”
So what are you waiting for? Come on over and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere that PeaceLove can provide you with. Oh and did I mention that they have homemade sweet potato pie made with all natural ingredients? Just the pie alone is worth the trip!PeaceLove offers Live Jazz Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00PM and occasional Sunday Brunch performances at 3:00PM and coming soon: Poetry and Theatre nights! For more information contact PeaceLove at 347-577-6397 or simply email them at: PeaceLoveCafe@gmail.com
A big Melrose THANK YOU to PeaceLove for offering Melrose and the South Bronx what many other neighborhoods in Manhattan take for granted and a bigger THANKS to Darada David who took a leap of faith after her bank and several other lenders said “would “those” people want that in that neighborhood?”
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