Though a quaint spot, big glass windows let natural light into 11:11 Health Bar in Newton Centre, allowing customers to people-watch the bundled-up citizens of Newton as they sip on an ice-cold smoothie.
The music in the store, calm and meditative, quiets the loud blenders at work. The freshly painted walls, colorful murals, and plants lining the counters and tables make the acai experience relaxing, fun, and chic.
While most orders were placed for pickup or to go, 11:11 could also be an option for those who like a working lunch—they offer tables for small groups and have counter seating right in front of the huge windows.
One of the shop’s best-sellers, the Long Life Smoothie, is a blend of banana, blueberries, pitaya, goji berries, acai, bee pollen, and coconut water. It’s light and refreshing—comparable to the Berry Blast smoothie by Naked but made with whole fruits and superfoods instead of fruit juices.
Their popular Vegan Tuna Sandwich combines the traditional ingredients of the popular lunch choice but replaces the tuna with chickpeas and adds tahini, sunflower seeds, and maple syrup, sandwiching it between two slices of multigrain bread. The different textures of the sandwich make it interesting, and though lacking a bit in salt, the meal proved hearty and satisfying.
Jeannie Stern and Ronit Hadar found just enough time after their workout class, and before their tennis lesson, to grab the Namaste Smoothie from 11:11. It typically comes blended with banana, mango, kale, spinach, lemon, chia seeds, apple, and coconut water, but Stern substitutes blueberries for the mango.
Stern tries to keep it simple when it comes to healthy eating, having only tried the Namaste.
“I only go for the green ones,” Stern said. “[My diet consists of] lots of colors, balanced meals, vegetables, lots of things that grow from the earth.”
While Hadar also ordered the Namaste, she’s also tried the Antioxidant Smoothie, which is a blend of bananas, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, antioxidant powder, and coconut water.
Hadar feels that the service the cafe offers makes it easy to stick to her health goals.
“It’s good, it’s healthy, and it’s fast,” Hadar said.
Binka Shishmanova took over 11:11 in 2021, when her close friends shared that the business was becoming overwhelming. Initially, Shishmanova explained that she wasn’t incredibly attached to the concept, but now she’s devoted to what her business stands for.
“At first, I just saw it as a business. Now I see it as my second home,” Shishmanova said. “The business is more than just the smoothie ideas. It’s definitely bigger picture. It motivates me to come in every single day and to believe that one day I can further develop the concept.”
While the friends she inherited the business from named the store 11:11 after the many connotations associated with the set of numbers, Shishmanova found an interpretation that has resonated with her the most.
“It’s actually a sign that you’re on the right path,” Shishmanova said. “So I started believing that, when coming in here, you’re on the right path to a kind of healthier lifestyle. That’s what I believe in.”
Shishmanova’s approach to health is defined by having balance in her diet and exercise routine.
“If you come in here once a week or twice a week, that’s good,” Shishmanova said. “And then you want to go and have ice cream or a Coke later in the day, I think it’s fine. I mean, that’s health for me–lifestyle. It’s just you finding the balance.”
Rodrigo Soares Fuller has worked at 11:11 for 10 months. He believes the community has received the business well.
“They always come back, and we always look through the comments on Google, and the reviews are good, so I think they’re satisfied and happy,” Soares Fuller said.
By now, Soares Fuller has memorized the menu and is able to make recommendations by considering what it is customers are looking for.
“I ask them if they’re looking for lighter or something more filling, what flavors they like, if they have any allergies,” Soares Fuller said.
Their diverse menu makes recommendations more particular to the customer, which is what Soares Fuller believes defines healthy eating.
“You can see on the menu that not all of our items are low-calorie,” Soares Fuller said. “That doesn’t mean they’re not healthy. We use organic products and good fats. That’s what I consider health, when you do and eat things that nourish your body.”
Shishmanova believes that the community has grown to appreciate what 11:11 brings to Newton.
“I would say they’re like family,” Shishmanova said. “It’s just incredible. About 70 percent of our customers are regulars, and I feel like that says a lot about both the business and the community in making healthy choices.”