Getting the juices flowing on Hempstead Ave.

Village Juice Garden opens in Malverne

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Several years ago, Yma Arroyo, a lifelong Malvernite, visited a friend’s juice bar in Brooklyn and was struck with an idea. “I said, ‘Wow, this would be really great to bring to the village,’” Arroyo said. “We have almost everything here, but nothing like this.”

Her dream of opening a juice bar in the village came to fruition on July 8, when she introduced her smoothies, protein shakes and natural juice blends she created at the Village Juice Garden on Hempstead Avenue next to the Bank of America. Though its menu was limited to drinks last week, Arroyo said her business would soon offer make-your-own salads, sandwiches and other items.

“We don’t have chicken or anything like that right now, but we have hard-boiled eggs and avocado toast,” she said. “A lot of people are looking for avocado toast. It’s delicious.”

As her assistant juicer, Stephen Rettagliata, assembled a large bowl of produce to create the next drink, Arroyo explained, “That is a Supreme Detox made up of kale, green apple, cucumber, spinach, celery, parsley, lemon and a little bit of ice.” Arroyo then gave the drink to Ken Doerrbetker, an employee of the village’s Department of Public Works. “We have a lot of healthy options for people,” she said. “I like giving that option to the town.”

Arroyo said it took several months to develop and perfect the recipes for her signature drinks. “If you want to build up your iron or your muscles, we have those powders for your drinks,” she said.

In addition to the extended menu, she said she plans to go to farms out east and feature produce from them. She is also interested in hosting guest speakers who specialize in nutrition to discuss healthy food choices. “That’s what I would like to make this place about — being aware,” she said. She also wants to eventually donate excess produce to programs such as Meals on Wheels and Island Harvest.

Arroyo, 38, who lives in the same Malverne house she grew up in, has already owned a real estate business in Queens (which she recently closed), and is a co-partner in the Sunshine Park and Sunshine & Dreams group family day care centers on Park Boulevard and Hanson Place in Malverne. Her mother, Maryann Arroyo, founded those businesses more than 15 years ago.