The Wellness & Smart Café
A permanent home for health and joy.
More than a café: a community kitchen, learning lab, and neighborhood table built for lasting wellbeing.
2017
Chapter 01
A bold vision
The dream was born: more than a café, a haven where wellness and wholesome food come together, with counseling, cooking workshops, and judgment-free conversations about nutrition.
2021
Chapter 02
Searching for home
Finding a commercial space in Washington, D.C. was daunting. Unfamiliar terms, high costs, and setbacks tested the vision at every turn.
Lessons
Chapter 03
Lessons that shaped us
We learned to protect the vision, to lean on supportive allies, and to work with an agent who fights for your best interests through every twist of the journey.
2024
Chapter 04
We signed the lease
Resilience and determination paid off. The lease is signed, and an empty space is on its way to becoming a community resource.
2026
Chapter 05
Let’s build it together
The doors are open. Every gift now keeps the kitchen cooking and our programs growing for D.C.
Step inside
Designed for cooking, learning, and gathering.
The rendering shows how the space comes together, in the same bold pink, orange, yellow, and teal as the Food Jonezi brand.
Main kitchen
A long island with seating at the heart of the room, made for classes and shared meals.
Kitchen prep
A dedicated prep area with custom white oak casework and quartz counters.
Office
A bright workspace for the Food Jonezi team.
Accessible by design
An ADA restroom and an open layout that welcomes everyone.
Rendering by Eastwing Architects.
The capital campaign
$1.1M to open the doors. We finally did it!
%
Funded
- Campaign progress100%
$102K
Build-Out
Design and construction of the office and kitchen space.
$21K
Kitchen
Cabinets, appliances, furniture, and equipment.
$500K
Staffing
An expert, community-rooted opening team.
$500K
Programs
Culinary and nutrition programs from day one.
Every gift matters