Windsor Terrace cyclists don’t have to be Lance Armstrong to get into juicing.
A bike shop and full-scale juice bar dubbed the Juice Pedaler sells space tires alongside smoothies — and its owners say the bikes and drinks are the perfect mix for the storefront just steps from Prospect Park
Juice Pedaler owners Deborah Capone and Nicole Bilu, who met seven years ago when their tots were in pre-school together, said a light bulb went off in their heads in April when they saw a “for rent” sign hanging at the former home of the neighborhood’s beloved Lonelyville cafe on Prospect Park Southwest.
“It was like a sign that we had to do something,” said Bilu. “The idea was to have a place that promoted healthy activity and nutrition in a fun way.”
They opened the store in October, and since then pelotons of neighborhood kids have been lining up for smoothies — and a quick spin on a stationary bike that patrons can use to blend their own drinks.
Kids love the mango, banana, yogurt, vanilla, and honey — and parents love the fact that Juice Pedaler employees slyly add nutritious veggies to make the drinks healthier.
The seasonal juice menu is sourced from local, organic produce, and far as the tots menu goes, the Capone and Bilu said they wouldn’t serve anything that their young children haven’t endorsed with their stamp of approval.
“They’re our taste testers for new recipes — they consider that their job,” said Capone.
An edible herb garden divides the quaint shop, complete with a working fireplace, stool and cafeteria-style seating, from the full-service bike shop in the backyard, where cyclists can get a tune-up for $60, add a child-seat for $35, or get some help from a trained mechanic.
The shop carries new two-wheelers and funky bike accessories — and rents out cruisers for anyone looking to take a jaunt around Prospect Park.
“We thought it would be good to have a bike shop on the park, but at the same time we didn’t think that a bike shop alone would survive year-round in this neighborhood,” said Capone. “We both knew we liked to juice, so with that we created a bike shop and a juice bar.”
There’s even a selection of teas and coffee for cyclists who need an extra jolt of energy.
Patrons say the Juice Pedaler is a welcome addition to the quaint-but-sleepy stretch of Prospect Park Southwest.
“It’s great for the neighborhood,” said Brenda Manzi, who visits the shop every week with her three children to indulge in a “green” juice concoction of kale, spinach, cucumber, celery and apple. “It’s nice to have a business on this side of Windsor Terrace — there isn’t much around here and the juice is delicious.”
The Juice Pedaler [154 Prospect Park Southwest between Seeley and Vanderbilt streets in Windsor Terrace, (718) 871–7500, www.juicepedalernyc.com].
