EATONVILLE, Fla. – DaJen Eats, a vegan Jamaican café and creamery in Eatonville since 2017, has closed, according to chef and owner Jenn Ross.
Ross posted Sunday on social media to thank the people she’s met in those seven years “for the laughter and the lessons,” expressing gratefulness for their presence and help while she operated DaJen Eats next to Eatonville’s Town Hall along East Kennedy Boulevard.
I told my bestie, who I met through DaJen Eats - no less, I’d stop when it’s not fun anymore; when I stop learning and discovering; when the work becomes a chore and a price I’m unwilling to pay. In the past, quiet times led to many dark thoughts but this period of rest simply left me aching for new discoveries.
It was a curiosity that started DaJen Eats - curious to see what would happen if I bet on myself. Curious to see how far my love of food would take me.
I suppose what drove me to start DaJen Eats now compels me to, once and for all, say goodbye. Because now, I'm curious what's next - what is around the corner.
DaJen Eats on Facebook June 16, 2024 (excerpt)
Sunday’s post followed another on May 29 in which Ross wrote of the eatery going “on break” for several weeks due to slow sales during that time of year, as well as her own exhaustion.
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Florida Foodie met Ross in 2019, hearing about how she grew up in Jamaica and came to America by herself when she was just 16 years old, soon studying food science and starting to cook while she was in college.
When we reconnected with Ross in 2021, she told us that owning your own business had its challenges, but the rewards made it all worthwhile.
“This isn’t for everyone, I don’t think. It has its pitfalls, it has its harsh moments, it has really great rewards and if that is what anyone wants to do, I would fully encourage them to do so,” Ross said. “I really feel like we should be frank with ourselves on what brings us joy and what makes sense in our lives and do that thing.”
Read more from our conversation with Ross by clicking here.
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