In the heart of Mill Basin, Brooklyn, a unique black and Haitian-owned and inspired café has been serving fresh, preservative-free treats since September 2023. Kravings Kafe, a 2D-themed café, was founded by Elveda Dorce and her husband, Zayveon Kimble, as a legacy for their children and a way to bring a new dining experience to Brooklyn.

The café’s name carries special meaning—both ‘K’s in Kravings Kafe represent the couple’s two sons, Kai and Kam. “Now we have a daughter, Kapri, so we’re going to have to find a way to add another ‘K’ in there,“ Dorce said with a laugh.

Inspired by a trip to Florida, where their children fell in love with ice cream, the couple initially considered opening an ice cream shop. However, their vision evolved after discovering the concept of rolled ice cream and the unique 2D café designs popular in parts of Asia and Africa. They aimed to create a Brooklyn-style 2D café, offering visually immersive experiences and high-quality, fresh ingredients.

Unlike traditional ice cream shops, Kravings Kafe focuses on health-conscious offerings. “Everything we use has no preservatives or additives,“ Dorce said. “Even our ice cream is different—our competitors’ ice cream melts quickly because of preservatives. Ours holds its texture longer because it’s made fresh.“ The café also serves acai bowls made in-house on a rolled ice cream machine, giving them a sorbet-like consistency, unlike the pre-blended or frozen alternatives found elsewhere.

Despite the promising start, the business has faced significant challenges. Dorce and Kimble were optimistic about the location, especially with a busy park directly across the street that once brought steady foot traffic. “In June 2023, we saw a lot of families, kids, and potential customers passing by. We were networking and introducing ourselves, and it looked like we were in for a great opening,“ Dorce recalled.

However, foot traffic mysteriously declined in the spring of 2023, and businesses along the strip, including Kravings Kafe, began struggling. “We don’t know what happened,“ Dorce said. “One year, the park was full, and then suddenly, barely anyone was there last year. It’s affected all of us.”

By late 2023, Kravings Kafe faced worsening financial strain. Co-owner Kimble, who had been supplementing the café’s finances with a contract job and his regular work, lost that income when the contract ended. Meanwhile, Dorce, pregnant with a high-risk pregnancy, was unable to manage the café full-time. As expenses rose and revenue dropped, the couple temporarily closed the café in December.

“We just didn’t have the money to keep putting back into the business,“ Dorce said. “It was heartbreaking, but we had to make the decision for our family.”

Fortunately, the business regained momentum in early January after being featured on the Instagram page “Success is Us.“ The post attracted the attention of several celebrities, and soon after, social media food critic Keith Lee visited the café, amplifying its reach.

The exposure brought significant support, particularly from the Caribbean and Haitian communities, but also introduced new challenges. The café reopened with limited weekend hours as the couple balanced business operations, raising three young children and managing staffing shortages.

“I wasn’t prepared for the level of attention we received,“ the owner said. “Right now, we’re making do with what we have, but we plan to have a full schedule by spring.”

Beyond operational hurdles, the owner reflected on broader challenges faced by Black entrepreneurs. They found little support despite reaching out to local government and business organizations.

“I’ve contacted council members and different outlets, but they haven’t really helped,“ the owner said. “Other ethnicities often have more access to resources, but we have to figure things out on our own.”

Despite the obstacles, the owner remains optimistic, with a long-term goal of expanding into a franchise. “We’re not just an ice cream shop,“ they said. “Our slogan is ‘Eat What You Krave’—whether that’s something sweet or something healthy, we have options for everyone.”

With continued community support and strategic growth, the owner hopes to build a sustainable brand that reflects quality and cultural pride.

“This has been a tough journey, but seeing our people uplift and support us has meant everything. We’re ready to take this to the next level.”

To encourage support, Kravings Kafe is offering a 10% discount to anyone who mentions seeing this article.

“We still believe in our vision,“ Dorce said. “We just need our community to believe in us, too.”