Elvi Goliat Oral History

Elvi Goliat immigrated to Queens from Indonesia in 2002 and opened Indo Java, an Indonesian grocery store located in Elmhurst, in 2008. Goliat recalls the lack of Indonesian stores and restaurants in Queens when she arrived to the borough. In addition to Indo Java, Goliat opened an Indonesian restaurant in Elmhurst named Java Village in 2008, but she says that high rent costs and lack of business forced her to close the restaurant. In contrast, Goliat discusses how social media advertisement and inclusion of a warung (food stall) inside Indo Java to cook and sell Indonesian meals has enabled the grocery store to gain popularity and remain in business. Goliat explains that the warung operates three days per week; each day of the week features a different chef cooking dishes from different regions of Indonesia. Goliat reflects on seeing more new customers at Indo Java in recent years and the growth of the Indonesian community in Elmhurst since 2002.