ELYRIA — A new downtown eatery opened its doors Monday with a health-inspired menu that should be a welcome alternative to fast food.

Located on the corner of Middle Avenue and Second Street, the Pulse Cafe looks a lot different than the corner’s former tenant, the pub-style Court Street Cafe. The hunter green painted and wood paneled walls are gone, replaced with inspirational phrases written in black on white walls. The floor sports a black and white checkered pattern, and there are red wine accents throughout.

That’s because owner David Andras, 30, of North Ridgeville, wanted the decor to fit with the menu — an assortment of more than 40 sandwiches, wraps, salads and fruit smoothies. Andras wanted an easy atmosphere to complement a menu designed to give patrons more of what they need: whole grains, vegetables and fruit.

“This place really comes from a combination of what I learned in the food and fitness industries,” he said. “I just want to offer healthy alternatives to fast food so people feel better about what they eat.”

Andras, a 1995 graduate of Elyria High School, said he draws on several life experiences in this new endeavor. His background includes time as a food and beverage director for a hotel and owning two franchises in Cleveland.

Most recently, he worked as a personal trainer at Bally Total Fitness, he said.

“This is my way of sharing a bit of what I learned with others,” he said. “If I can start someone on a different path when it comes to what they’re eating, I have used what I learned well.”

Andras originally planned to open the doors in January, but a broken water pipe dropped ceiling tile into the restaurant, along with two inches of water. After some back-breaking work, Pulse Cafe belatedly opened Monday for lunch service.

“It’s called persistence beats resistance,” Andras said. “That broken water pipe may have set us back, but we’re here.”

Contact Lisa Roberson at 329-7121 or lroberson@chroniclet.com.

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