Cafe Haven at Stella opens in New Rochelle’s Vanguard District

Cafe Haven at Stella opened Tuesday in downtown New Rochelle with a ribbon-cutting attended by city and county officials, the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce and the cafe’s owners.

Catherine White, executive director of the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, welcomed guests and introduced Mayor Yadira Ramos Herbert, City Manager Will Melendez and other city leaders who turned out to mark the business’s debut in the Vanguard District. "Thank you for continuing to believe in New Rochelle, in Downtown New Rochelle and thinking of new ways to expand and offer services and opportunities to build community for our residents," Mayor Yadira Ramos Herbert said, calling the opening an example of downtown revitalization.

The opening drew local officials and partners, including Westchester County Legislator Judah Holstein, who congratulated the owners and praised the cafe’s offerings. "This building will hopefully bring you lots of business, great coffee," Holstein said, adding that he had enjoyed the cafe’s orange juice and coffee during an earlier visit.

One of the owners, Omar Arobi, thanked city officials and the Stella management for the opportunity and said the community response so far had been strong. "We're very excited to be here. The community has been more than supportful," Arobi said, and added the owners hoped to "do a lot more for the community." The Chamber presented an official welcome and took photos with the owners before the ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Organizers framed the opening as part of broader efforts to boost commercial activity and neighborhood gathering spaces in the Vanguard District. The event included acknowledgement of Stella staff, building developers and several business owners involved in the project. No formal actions, votes or policy decisions occurred at the event.

The cafe will open to walk-in customers; owners said they hope residents will continue to support the new business as it settles into the neighborhood.