“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” is a popular phrase about finding the bright side in a difficult situation. But when the universe seems to be doing nothing but hurling sour fruit, the cliché can seem a bit Pollyannaish.
Yet when it comes to Arleen and Denise Quimi, who recently opened The Eastern Squeeze Juice & Sandwich Shoppe at The Shoppes at East Wind (5768 NY-25A, Wading River, 631-886-1152), the citrusy saying doesn’t feel reductive or saccharine. The sisters are no strangers to life’s bitterness, but they mean it when they say their glass remains half full.
“We’re living proof we have to wipe those tears and keep going,” Arleen says, outfitted in a bright yellow dress and flats adorned with bejeweled renderings of various fruits.
The Quimis, who celebrated the grand opening of their 1,000-square-foot eatery earlier this month, ultimately went into business to fulfill a final wish of their youngest sister, Blondelle. Affectionately known as Blondie, the 30-year-old was planning to one day open a smoothie and juice bar but died in 2024, just four months after a bone cancer diagnosis.
“And in those four months she created this,” Arleen says. “She was able to check this store out and she was like, ‘You know what, it would be beautiful. I want to open up a juice bar.’”
Blondie, who brainstormed ideas for the pistachio-hued shop while undergoing cancer treatment, passed away before she could see the concept come to fruition. Arleen says “she’s in every corner” of The Eastern Squeeze, though, with pops of yellow — Blondie’s favorite color — sprinkled throughout the cheerful citrus-themed space, which features an “open anytime” karaoke stage, pedal-powered stationary bike that enables customers to blend their own smoothies, intimate seating and family-friendly games.
Blondelle Quimi, the shop’s inspiration, who died in 2024. (Photo Courtesy of Arleen and Denise Quimi)
“We have a safe space here,” Arleen says. “Folks come in here and they’re like, ‘Wow, it’s so bright, it’s so cheerful.’”
Various smoothies and fresh juices, made with produce from local farms like Andrews, Lewin’s, Fink’s, and Patty’s Berries and Bunches, play a starring role on the menu, which is rounded out by toast combos, bowls, empanadas, paninis, sandwiches and dressed-up hot dogs.
Matcha lattes and dirty sodas like the “Sugar Daddy,” a 24-ounce blend of Dr. Pepper, caramel and whipped cream that features an edible faux $100 bill, are also available, while desserts like Itty Bitty Bites — miniature fruit-shaped ice cream — are an adorable way to satisfy a sweet tooth. In September, breakfast offerings like traditional lattes, along with fresh croissants baked by the Quimis’ other sister Melinna Guthrie, who runs A Pinch of Sprinkles Bake Shoppe, will be offered.
Arleen Quimi with the shop’s smoothie bike, which customers can pedal to blend their own smoothie. (Photo Credit: Rachel Young)
The Quimis, a tightknit family with Spanish, Colombian and Ecuadorian roots who grew up in Forest Hills, Queens, and now live in Wading River, encourage guests to hang out, let loose and take to the karaoke stage, where everything from “Baby Shark” to Greek opera to Broadway showtunes have been belted since the shop’s opening.
“Aside from getting a really delicious smoothie that’s both healthy and refreshing, [customers are] staying — they’re playing games, they’re making memories with their family,” Denise says. “Kids break out from their shyness and start singing.”
Despite the excitement that comes with being in business, Denise notes that “crossing the finish line is bittersweet because we’re not crossing the finish line with her, with Blondelle.”
Still, she continues, “We’re open. This is for her. This is her. And we put all our heart in this, and we hope our customers see that visually as well as when they eat our food, when they drink our smoothies. Everything is made with love.”
Hours currently vary at The Eastern Squeeze Juice & Sandwich Shoppe, but the establishment is generally open every day except Tuesday. Follow @theeasternsqueeze on Instagram for weekly schedules.
