HarlemLIVE

Don't think that the Uptown Juice Bar only sells juice. "The Juice Bar sells soups, salads, veggie burgers, a wide variety of non-dairy pastries, and all types of juices, " said David Simons, the owner of the Uptown Juice Bar.

Born August 2, 1957 in Georgetown, Guyana, Simons opened the Uptown Juice Bar because he was a vegetarian. "Stores like these are needed because there are a lot of meat substitutes and not a lot of vegetarian places," Simons explained.

Opened since June of 1995, the Uptown Juice Bar has been a place for Harlem residents who want an alternative to fast food restaurants, such as McDonald's and Burger King, which only sell one type of food. Another advantage the Uptown Juice Bar has is that the menu changes daily; you'll never get bored of the same old thing.

"I'm glad that since we've been open we've been very popular with the people especially on Saturdays, which is when lots of people come because we're located at the edge of the block where everyone can see," Simons said.

The Uptown Juice Bar has been so successful that Mr. Simons has decided to expand within the next year. He will add a dining area in the back that he hopes will bring in more people.

The Juice Bar is opened from 8am to 10pm. Simons keeps it open late because his other Juice Bar is located in Downtown-Tribeca, and he feels that people in Harlem should be health conscious even late at night. The Downtown-Tribeca Juice Bar is opened from 8am-to early afternoon and, unfortunately, is closed on weekends.

The Uptown Juice Bar delivers, but if you want to feel the Uptown experience, the restaurant is located at 54 West 125th St. (Bet. 5th and Lenox). For more information call (212) 987-2660 or visit www.uptownjuicebar.com