More Than a Daiquiri Lounge: How LaBrika Chaffer Is Reimagining a Familiar Eastside Space

Pictured: Founder LaBrika Chaffer in her new space!

When LaBrika Chaffer talks about her vision for A Good Time Daiquiri Lounge, she doesn't start with daiquiris.

She talks about history.

She talks about connection

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She talks about creating a space where people can leave feeling better than they did when they arrived.

Soon, that vision will come to life in the former Eastside Pizza House building on Northeast 21st Street, a location familiar to many Northeast Oklahoma City residents. For Chaffer, opening her business in this space is about more than securing a new location. It's about becoming part of the Eastside's story while helping others create their own.

"One of the things it means to me is being a part of history," Chaffer said. "And being a part of inviting more people to become history makers."

The space itself will reflect that vision.

Visitors can expect a carefully curated environment centered around the past, present, and future. Chaffer plans to dedicate areas of the building to storytelling, community art, and local investment. One wall will serve as a gallery space for artists. Another will highlight community members and businesses who choose to leave their mark on the space. Future activations will invite people to share personal stories, celebrate family connections, and create memories together.

At its core, Chaffer says A Good Time Daiquiri Lounge is designed to be a place of restoration.

"I want people to come and connect and be rejuvenated to go back out into the world," she said. "When you leave these doors, you're honestly a better person."

That philosophy extends far beyond the menu. While guests can expect daiquiris, mocktails, burgers, brunch offerings, and other food and beverage options, Chaffer sees the business as part of a larger ecosystem. She envisions a place where people gather, learn, support local creatives, invest in one another, and build relationships.

"We've always been a space where people can come and make their money, where they can learn, where they can grow," she said. "This is a place where you truly come to be revitalized from the top to the bottom."

The decision to locate on the Eastside was intentional. Chaffer says the neighborhood's history, culture, and potential made it the right place to build.

"There is so much history on the Eastside," she said. "I really wanted to create an ecosystem here. Not just another business, but a place where things are happening."

Her long-term vision reaches beyond the walls of her own business. After signing a 10-year lease, Chaffer is already thinking about what the corridor could look like a decade from now. She imagines a thriving district filled with diverse businesses, walkable destinations, and opportunities for residents and visitors alike.

"As I approach opening day, I have this vision of what year ten can look like," she said. "People coming here, walking from business to business, saying, 'We have everything we need over here.'"

That future feels increasingly possible as more entrepreneurs choose to invest in Northeast Oklahoma City. Chaffer credits participation in the NEOKCR Small Business Accelerator (NSBA) with helping prepare her for this next chapter. The program encouraged her to strengthen business systems, evaluate operations, and build a stronger foundation for growth.

"It helped me face my business," she said. "It helped me make sure the systems were in place before bringing in more people. The stronger the foundation, the stronger the business."

As opening day approaches, Chaffer remains focused on the impact she hopes the space will have on the community. Whether visitors arrive for brunch, a daiquiri, a conversation, an art exhibit, or simply a place to unwind, her goal remains the same.

To create a good time.

And in doing so, help create a stronger Eastside.

When asked to finish the sentence, "The Eastside deserves...", Chaffer's answer came quickly:

"Love."

NEOKCR is so excited to follow A Good Time Daiquiri Lounge's journey and celebrate this important milestone. Soft opening coming soon! Stay tuned on A Good Time Daiquiri Lounge’s Instagram for updates!