Community Efforts Unable to Save Nature’s Best Cafe from Closure

Dawn Fletcher initiated a campaign to save Nature’s Best Cafe when news emerged last November about its potential closure. Her quick actions included setting up a GoFundMe page that accumulated over $5,000, producing promotional magnets, and distributing thousands of neighborhood letters. The community also rallied, offering marketing skills and surveying cafe patrons. Despite these collective efforts, escalating food costs led to the cafe’s final announcement of closing its doors on July 31.

Evonne Cruz, the cafe’s co-owner, expressed the challenges despite various activities such as bingo and trivia nights, plus catering events. “We’re working seven days a week. It’s not sustainable,” she noted, emphasizing their business remained financially strained.

Nature’s Best Cafe began its journey a decade ago at a strip mall located at 1904 Brookdale Road off Route 59. Simitrio Cruz, with his vast experience in the food industry, ventured into creating a restaurant serving healthy, gluten-free meals. The menu catered to his family’s gluten allergies, ranging from homemade pizzas to diverse salads and sandwiches. Utilizing local ingredients defined the cafe’s essence, albeit adding to operational costs.

“Food costs have skyrocketed,” Evonne Cruz stated, pointing at essential ingredients like meats and vegetables, which became financially burdensome. Even staple items such as tomatoes became prohibitively priced.

Declining customer numbers compounded the situation, despite community efforts to increase traffic. Catering provided necessary revenue, allowing the business to sustain, but lacked a consistent clientele crucial for long-term viability. Market analytics displayed a worrying decrease in year-over-year patronage. Cruz speculated economic factors contributed, with noticeable evening foot traffic diminishing. Their activities and social media endeavors failed to reinvigorate their customer base.

Closing the cafe marks a significant transition for the family, who valued the community bonds formed over the years. Reflecting on this, Evonne Cruz conveyed, “It represents a family chapter. Our kids rotated working there, growing alongside neighborhood children.” She acknowledged Simitrio’s relentless work ethic through long weeks and challenges ahead in adapting to new circumstances.

For Fletcher, the closure brings profound farewell sentiments. In the past, she aided in sustaining the business amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, witnessing Simitrio’s efforts doubling with an additional night job. Fletcher affirms, “Simitrio was my youngest daughter’s first boss. His patient and considerate nature became a familial bond.” Fletcher plans to keep the GoFundMe initiative active, supporting Simitrio as he navigates forthcoming changes.