On Wednesday evening, longtime neighbors and friends gathered at 382 West Rock Ave to say goodbye to Manjares, the Latin‑American café that has served Westville for 17 years. Owner Ana De Los Angeles hosted an all‑evening farewell party, inviting customers, staff, and regulars to share memories, food, and gratitude.
Community memories
Henry Lowendorf, a frequent customer, praised the “naked chicken burrito” for its blend of beans, tomatoes, and complex flavors, noting that Manjares felt as much a community center as a coffee shop. “I’m heartbroken,” he said, leaning against the counter, his yellow “Tax The Rich” button visible. Lowendorf recalled using the second‑floor room for Democratic Ward Committee meetings, emphasizing how the space offered free, welcoming rooms where everyone knew each other’s name.
Jonas Bellon, who walked over each Friday from the Chapel Haven Schleifer Center, remembered the Greek omelet with spinach, sun‑dried tomatoes, red pepper, zucchini, and Manchego cheese. He added, “It’s more than just the food, it’s the friendly faces.” Bellon’s support coordinator often joined him, making the café a regular stop for social interaction.
Regulars and rituals
Local house painter Tom Hannon and his three friends – an educator, a therapist, and a city health department administrator – began their days at 7 a.m. with what Hannon called a breakfast of “coffee, scones, and camaraderie.” The ritual underscored how Manjares functioned as a daily gathering place for a cross‑section of Westville residents.
De Los Angeles’ husband, Miguel Trelles, whose paintings still adorn the walls, recalled that the nearby Chapel Haven community was among the café’s earliest and most devoted clientele. The center, devoted to education and life‑skills training for adults with disabilities, sent groups for cooking demonstrations, fried plantains, and empanadas, providing a steady stream of patrons in the first seven to nine years.
Legacy and future hopes
During the farewell, patrons brought treats and gifts. Hannon placed a bag of cookies on the counter, while longtime neighbor Peaches Quinn offered a bottle of wine. Quinn remembered driving by the newly completed building 17 years ago and thinking, “What could be better?”
De Los Angeles hinted at a possible “Manjares 2.0” in the future, noting she will take a short vacation, visit her son – a sergeant in the U.S. Army – in California, and then travel to her home country, the Dominican Republic, before returning refreshed.
Closing details
The café’s space will be vacated by the end of the month, with an auction of furniture and fixtures scheduled for September 29. As the community reflects on the loss, many agree Westville needs more gathering places like Manjares that blend food, culture, and fellowship.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
