A Light

“The pursuit of one’s health isn’t found in a restrictive diet or an intimidating regimen; rather, to lead a healthy life warrants one thing: balance—achieved through intuitive, attentive, and sustainable eating.” - Eloy Roy, Jr., Owner The Lights Juicery & Cafe

When I walk into The Lights Juicery & Cafe located just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, I feel excited. Not only because the food I am about to eat is healthy, fresh, and delicious, but because I am supporting a local business that genuinely cares about their customers. They know my family by name, they know my children, and they know what we love to eat off of their menu. This is due to their attention to detail and because we eat there multiple times a week. Every time we enter the restaurant, they greet us with a warm, genuine welcome. They are our family.

Originally from Miami, Florida, Roy Jr. and his Buenos Airian family moved to Charlotte almost a decade ago. This comfy Southern city Holds fame as the place where Eloy ultimately fulfilled dreams of starting his own restaurants. Today, he promotes a sustainable, healthful lifestyle as inspiring as it is appetizing while infusing South Charlotte with the energy, intention, community, and, most importantly, purpose. The menu is refreshing. Organic, vegan/vegetarian options to satisfy an array of taste buds. Their organic juice cleanses made in house, with the freshest organic locally sourced produce and pre-packaged in glass bottles to save the planet. The house-made almond milk or coconut cashew milk is decadent and sweetened with Medjool dates. Their service is impeccable because the owner Eloy loves food, and he does not cut any corners when it comes to curating delicious meals that satisfy and delight.

Eloy looks for sustainable options when sourcing both the ingredients and packaging. He believes that organically grown foods sustain the health of the planet as well as the health of the individual. His attention to detail is impeccable. Ask him about an ingredient in his acai bowl, and his eyes will light up as he describes down to the molecular level why his food is designed the way it is and how it serves the overall wellbeing of us, the consumer.

Small independently owned businesses are suffering amongst this COVID 19 outbreak. In many other industries, deep-pocketed companies can keep workers on the payroll even when there’s no money coming in during unforeseen closures.  Independent restaurants don’t have that luxury, many lack shareholders or the ability to bank money for a rainy day or an unprecedented global pandemic that forces total shutdown. 

Many restaurants from the local family-owned shop to the fanciest most desired eatery in town, a large percentage of the money earned goes straight back out to pay overhead (vendors & rent) and employees.  The success of many restaurants is determined by patrons actually dining inside the restaurant. Over three weeks, despite many restaurants modifying their menus to now offer free delivery and takeout options, thousands of servers, bartenders, dishwashers-front office staff, and corporate office staff in the service industry have been laid off.  

Given the operating and overhead cost of managing successful restaurant-selling gift cards, merchandise, and takeout will have to help keep them afloat until we can dine in again.  The future of The Lights Juicery & Cafe, like so many other small businesses, was fragile because of mandated closures. In an industry where cash flow is essential, a sudden and mandatory closure can be daunting.

But Eloy and his team are working hard to adapt to this new normal, preparing to reopen by the beginning of April to offer curbside pickup of their most healthy and sought after items. Visit them @thelights to find out more ways to support. We are innovative and resilient people, and I know that we will get through this time of uncertainty with strength and dignity.

Let’s support our local businesses in any possible way during this time. We are all in this together. #Alonetogether