NYC PARKS WELCOMES A NEW JUICE BAR TO DAG HAMMARSKJOLD PLAZA

Oasis Jimma Juice Bar features a vast smoothie menu, breakfast, lunch and dinner options including Ethiopian specialties.

NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue today joined Chief Business Diversity Officer of the Mayor's Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) Michael Garner, Oasis Jimma Juice Bar founder Abdi Abajebel, his brother Zinab Abajebel, and community members to cut the ribbon on the Oasis Jimma Juice Bar, a new concession at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza.

"Opening a concession like Oasis Jimma Juice Bar is about more than just food; it's about nurturing our parks and the health of New Yorkers. Bringing culturally rich and health-conscious offerings to our parks fosters a sense of community and belonging," said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. "The importance of our park concessions such as Oasis is to encourage park patrons to explore new flavors and adopt healthier lifestyles, while also supporting local businesses and promoting economic vitality within our neighborhoods. In this way, Oasis Jimma Juice Bar embodies the spirit of diversity, wellness, and community that defines New York City."

"Maximizing growth opportunities for small and minority and women-owned businesses is what our work is all about," said Chief Business Diversity Officer Michael J. Garner. "As a fellow Harlemite, I know firsthand the quality health-conscious food and beverage products, and top-tier service, Oasis Jimma Juice Bar provides to my Upper Manhattan neighbors, and I'm happy to see their business expand to the Dag Hammasrskjold Park Plaza's suite of quality concession options. This new Oasis Jimma Juice Bar location not only provides job opportunities and local economic stimulation, but also offers a product that contributes to the overall health, wellbeing, and cultural diversity of the local park community. This achievement is just another example of the 'Get Stuff Done Adams Administration'."

"We're incredibly proud of Oasis Jimma Juice Bar's journey from Harlem to our new location at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, marking a significant milestone in our mission to offer healthy, fresh, and affordable food options," said Founder of Oasis Jimma Juice Bar Abduselam Abajebel. "Our goal is to foster community and promote healthier lifestyles in Turtle Bay. Through our collaboration with NYC Parks, we're excited to enhance public health and enrich urban green spaces, creating a vibrant hub at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza where the community can enjoy nutritious food amid natural beauty. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to cultivating a thriving, health-conscious community."

Oasis Jimma Juice Bar will offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, including Ethiopian specialties like sambusa. The menu will also include a variety of smoothie options, which are crafted in-house with whole fruits and vegetables. Additionally, Oasis offers health shots including wheat grass, ginger, lemon, and other specialty blends.

Oasis Jimma Juice Bar was initially founded by Abdi Abajebel in 2012 in Harlem.Abdi Abajebel grew up on his family's farm in Jimma, the birthplace of coffee and the second-largest city in Ethiopia. The son of a prominent healer, he learned from his father how to use herbs for homeopathic treatments. When the civil war reached Jimma, Abdi escaped and lived in a refugee camp in Nairobi, Kenya, where he made a living selling fresh fruit.

Abdi was granted asylum and settled in Harlem, New York City, where he discovered high rates of obesity and diabetes. A diabetic himself, Abdi knew how a healthy diet can prevent illness. He was inspired to provide healthy, fresh, affordable food for his Harlem neighbors, and to teach them that food can be the most powerful medicine.

That's when Oasis Jimma Juice Bar was born, with Abdi opening his first location at 125th Street and Broadway,. Since then, Abdi has appeared in several newspapers and television news shows, won awards, catered successful events at Columbia University, Riverside Church, and health fairs, led demos on healthy lifestyles at NY Fashion Week, and offered free nutrition classes in food deserts throughout New York City.

Dag Hammarskjold Plaza will be Oasis Jimma Juice Bar's fifth location and first in a New York City park.

Oasis Jimma Juice Bar at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza will operate Monday - Sunday, 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. A preview of the menu can be found here.