Kravings Kafe: A Resilient Haitian-Owned Café in Brooklyn
Kravings Kafe is a Haitian-owned café in Brooklyn offering fresh, preservative-free treats. Founded by Elveda Dorce and Zayveon Kimble, it aims to blend innovative dining experiences with cultural heritage. Despite facing challenges including declining foot traffic and financial hardships, the café received renewed support through social media exposure, aspiring for future expansion while emphasizing health-conscious options.
Kravings Kafe, a distinctive black and Haitian-owned café located in Mill Basin, Brooklyn, has been delighting patrons with fresh, preservative-free offerings since September 2023. Founded by Elveda Dorce and Zayveon Kimble, the café was envisioned as a legacy for their children, aiming to introduce a fresh dining experience in Brooklyn. The café derives its name from the couple’s two sons, Kai and Kam, and Elveda humorously indicated the need for an additional ‘K’ to include their newborn daughter, Kapri.
Initially inspired by their children’s love for ice cream while vacationing in Florida, the couple’s ambition evolved towards creating a unique 2D-themed café. They drew inspiration from the popular rolled ice cream and distinctive café designs found in Asia and Africa, ensuring a visually captivating experience backed by fresh, high-quality ingredients. Unlike other establishments, Kravings Kafe prioritizes health with its commitment to serving fresh, preservative-free products, including their distinctive ice cream that maintains its texture longer than competitors’ offerings.
Despite an optimistic start and a favorable location near a busy park, Kravings Kafe has faced significant adversities. Dorce recounted that foot traffic diminished unexpectedly in spring 2023, creating challenges for their business. This decline affected not only their café but other surrounding enterprises as well, leading to financial strain for the owners. By late 2023, after losing supplemental income and facing personal challenges, they were forced to temporarily close the establishment in December, prioritizing family needs amid rising expenses.
Fortunately, a feature on the Instagram page “Success is Us” in early January 2024 reinvigorated their business. The resultant celebrity endorsements and attention, particularly from the Caribbean and Haitian communities, helped to revive interest in the café. By then, however, the couple was contending with the demands of raising three young children and managing staffing shortages during their limited weekend reopening hours.
Elveda highlighted the broader systemic challenges Black entrepreneurs face, noting the lack of substantial support from local government and business organizations despite their outreach efforts. She expressed that other ethnic groups often receive more resources, leading them to navigate business challenges independently. Yet, the couple remains hopeful, envisioning expansion into a franchise while emphasizing their mission beyond merely selling ice cream, encapsulated by their slogan, ‘Eat What You Krave.’
Kravings Kafe continues striving for sustainability by building strong community ties and offering a 10% discount to patrons who mention the article in support. Dorce affirmed their belief in their vision, seeking community trust in their endeavor as they embark on this challenging yet rewarding journey.
Kravings Kafe, established by Elveda Dorce and Zayveon Kimble, stands as a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. Despite experiencing declines in foot traffic and significant financial challenges, the café has regained momentum through social media exposure and community support. Maintaining their commitment to health and quality, the couple aspires to expand their business while advocating for greater resources and support for Black entrepreneurs. With the backing of their community, they continue to align their offerings with cultural pride and a dedication to customer satisfaction.
Original Source: www.caribbeanlife.com
