By: Richard L. Smith
Sometimes the best ideas begin not in a boardroom, but around a table, where laughter mingles with conversation and strangers become friends.
That’s how the Community Café in the Vauxhall section of Union was born: from a shared belief that art, food, and togetherness could bring people closer in a world that often feels divided.
On a bright Thursday morning, mid-October, I had the privilege of sitting down with two remarkable women, Ms. Michelle Santana and Ms. Cindy C. Blakis, the co-founders of this inspiring space, to talk about how a simple idea became one of the most heartfelt creative hubs in New Jersey.
I’ve known Michelle for several years. Her son once attended our RLS Media summer camp at Kean University from 2013-2019, where I served as his Master teacher in film and media.
Even then, she had that rare gift for building bridges between people. Today, that same spirit fills the café she and Cindy now run, a space that feels part art gallery, part neighborhood living room, and part sanctuary for creativity.
Community Café officially opened its doors in June 2024, but the idea had been brewing long before that. Michelle started by hosting small dinners in Maplewood, gatherings where people would arrive as strangers and leave as friends.
“That’s really what we wanted to carry into this space,” she told me. “Union is a residential town, and we wanted to create something that gets people out of their homes. After COVID, people were so isolated. This café is about bringing them back together.”
The result is a cozy, sunlit space filled with art from local painters, photographers, and writers — each piece telling its own story.
“When someone hangs their work here,” Cindy explained, “they’re leaving a piece of themselves. We take that seriously.” Visitors often stop mid-sip to admire the art, only to find themselves in conversation with the creator sitting nearby.
It’s the kind of everyday magic that defines Community Café.
Cindy, who brings over 30 years of experience in food and beverage service, helped turn Michelle’s vision into a reality. “When we found this space, it looked completely different,” she said. “We wanted it to be warm, soft, touched by women. Before we even opened, people were already drawn to it. One man told us he just felt something and had to come in.”
Together, Michelle and Cindy have created a place where creativity and comfort coexist.
The café not only serves quality coffee, sandwiches, and sweet treats but also hosts author readings, art exhibits, poetry nights, and intimate dinners that reflect the cultural roots of both women, from Portuguese and Costa Rican traditions to Filipino influences that honor their former business partner.
Every event, every piece of art, every smile feels intentional.
Like most small business owners, they’ve learned as they’ve grown, refining their approach and embracing the lessons that come with the journey.
“People who find us always come back,” Cindy said with a grin. “Sometimes they tell us they just felt drawn here — like they could feel the energy before they walked in. That’s how we know this place has purpose.”
What I found is that Michelle and Cindy have built more than a café; it’s a heartbeat for the community. It’s proof that the arts are still alive in New Jersey, thriving in small, intentional spaces where creativity meets compassion.
So if you’re ever driving through Union, make a point to stop by Community Café. Don’t just come for the coffee. Come for the conversation, the laughter, and the reminder that community, when brewed with love, can still change everything.