BY DANIEL OFFNER
SoBol will be opening a new location in the Village of Mineola.
The village board voted unanimously, on Feb. 19, to approve a special-use permit for the Açaí blueberry bowl/smoothie franchise to open a new location downtown at 150 Mineola Blvd.
“Açaí is becoming more popular now. We really dedicate ourselves to the quality of it,” said Diane Pietroforte, the applicant and owner of the New Hyde Park location. “It’s very refreshing and it’s one of those things that after you eat you’re not tired. It gives you more energy than before you ate, which normally when you eat a lot it’s going to probably drag you down.”
Pietroforte said that prior to choosing their New Hyde Park location they had initially searched for a spot in Mineola, but were unable to find one.
Two-and-a-half years later, she said, they’re doing well enough that the franchise was very grateful when they told them they were looking to open up another one in Mineola.
“We always said that we love our nurses and doctors who come to our store. Our court people. It’s just something different to eat for those long days,” Pietroforte explained.
“I didn’t know that SoBol was coming to town but I am a big açaí bowl fan,” said Mineola resident Theo Rabinowitz. “I’ve actually been to a few SoBol locations and I think they would do very well here.”
Village Trustee Paul Cusato said that after doing some research on the company, he realized there was a location nearby in New Hyde Park and decided to stop by to see what they were all about.
“So, I walked in with nothing and I walked out and paid for ‘The SB’ smoothie. Absolutely great. And I went there this morning as well,” Cusato said. “I think they will be an asset to our community, so, best of luck.”
SoBol is a cafe franchise that was founded in 2014 as a healthy and all-natural alternative to all the junk food and high cholesterol options out there.
“Hopefully you can help us be successful in our downtown revitalization,” Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss said, welcoming Petroforte and her associates to the community. “We need places just like yours there, so thank you again.”
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and five-time World Champion Matheus Lutes was also in attendance for a public hearing on Feb. 19, to approve designated space at 105 Jericho Turnpike for a martial arts studio.
Lutes said that while he has never owned his own business, he has been working as an instructor for the last five years.
“In America today, the health and fitness business is growing eight percent a year and 25 percent of Americans today are anti-Depressant pills,” Lutes said. “I strongly believe Jiu-Jitsu or any kind of physical activity can help you become a better person, a satisfied person and also a very happy person through any kind of health or fitness workout.”
According to Lutes, it will mainly consist of group and private classes with an early morning session for anyone who didn’t have time after work to train.
His wife, Alicia Santandreu-Lutes, a former UFC employee and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor, also said she will be working primarily with the children’s programming.
“It gives them self confidence. It teaches them structure,” she said. “Especially nowadays they’re very demanding with all the technology and instant gratification. Teaching them patience. Working up to a goal.”
The village board would vote unanimously to approve a special use permit for the martial arts studio.
“Hopefully you have a great successful business and you find a long home here,” Strauss added.
A third public hearing was held on Feb. 19, regarding a request by Alexander Joly Peres Dasilva for a special use permit to open a commercial kitchen to be used to make Brazilian Coxinha – meat-filled croquettes – which he hopes to serve as a made-to-order pick-up/delivery and catering business only.
“He is not proposing a single seat. Not even a stool,” Thomas Abbate, the applicant’s attorney, said.
The company, which Abbate said would be named Adriana’s Kitchen, after Dasilva’s daughter, will look to utilize a small space at the rear of 135 Mineola Blvd.
Although he presented a proposed concept, Desilva said his lease agreement would be contingent on the board’s decision.
“We have just discussed [it] verbally,” Desilva said regarding the execution of a lease.
Following the deliberation by the board, the village trustees voted to close the public hearing reserving their decision for a future date.
