Despite moving up the corporate ladder at a national drug store chain, Elona Lopari felt unfulfilled in her career after the pandemic. She wanted to leave, but didn’t know what to do next.
With a background in psychology, business consulting and a master's in neuroscience, she believed that she had the skills and experience to build a business. Fast forward two years and she is the proud owner of Lighthouse Café Lounge in Bensonhurst.
The cafe, at 210 Kings Highway, is now morphing into a community beehive where residents relax, hang out with family and friends and get healthy, nourishing food.
Lopari, originally from Albania, said she wanted to create a space that would allow people to talk and make lasting connections, as is often done in cafe culture in her home country. The goal is to get people to slow down and talk.
In addition, the cafe is a place to heal the mind, body, and soul, she said.
“The triangle, which I think is really important for people’s well-being overall and quality of life,” Lopari said.
The cafe offers coffee and wine, as well as gluten-free food. In addition, Lopari organizes plenty of events, including trauma healing sessions, dance nights, teen circles, meditations and karaoke nights.
“It’s my way to also expose the, you know, the place to new people but also kind of create more engagement and excitement in the community, because I do see this place to be the community hub,” she said.
Each table at the cafe also has a journal, where people can write their thoughts and take the time to reflect while sipping on their coffee.
Iva Gjoni, a teacher and Benshonhurst resident of 25 years, said the café has made the neighborhood better. She especially likes the daily affirmations she sees at each table.
“You go to the café and on the table there’s always like a quote, so one day it was, ‘Has anyone told you that you’re beautiful?’ so it makes your day so much better,” she said.
The business has currently not been making any profit in the two years that it has been open, but Lopari is trying to make the café grow into a neighborhood hotspot.
“I would love for the customer journey to be much more meaningful,” she said. “But I also would like to see more private, exclusive events where I’m also doing, maybe, group circles of healing.”
In the meantime, the Lighthouse Café Lounge is a welcoming spot in south Brooklyn for a cup of coffee, a quick dance or brunch with friends.
