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Date: 4/22/2020
ENFIELD, CT – There’s a new place in town, and they’re offering another way to safely enjoy a tasty and healthy treat. Smoothville smoothies opened March 12 at 310 Hazard Ave., in the Hazardville section of Enfield.
Owned by Stacy Simons and Chris Magnuson, they explained what inspired them to open a smoothie store. “We were returning home from a soccer tournament on the Cape and we stopped at a hamburger joint on the side of the road. They had a couple of smoothies on their menu. As we sat there talking about wanting to do something fun with our careers, Stacy's son said how much fun it would be to have a smoothie truck to be able to drive around all day and deliver smoothies, much like an ice cream truck. Well, the idea stuck with us. We kept coming back to the conversation of having a smoothie shop and how much fun it would be and it was a “win-win” since the entire family loves smoothies!” Magnuson said.
The business is a family operation, since between Simons and Magnuson, five of their children work at the store, making up the bulk of the staff.
The two chose the location because they and their families live in Hazardville, it’s where their children grew up, and they “absolutely love that section of town…it has so much potential to be a great walking area for locals.” The business gets its ingredients from a variety of food distributors, and the couple noted they are looking forward to when the local farmer’s markets open so they can purchase their fresh ingredients from them.
The shop offers a variety of smoothies that include “both healthy choices and yummy treats.” A look at the menu shows a “creatively crafted” lemon ginger smoothie, consisting of almond milk, peaches, pineapple, mango, lemon, chia seeds, ginger and honey. There’s also a mocha smoothie, featuring almond milk, almond butter, concentrated cold brew coffee, cinnamon, vanilla protein powder and dates. They also offer acai bowls and yonana boats, similar to a banana split but with yogurt, fruit, honey and a variety of other toppings on the banana.
For readers unfamiliar with acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) it is a species of palm tree cultivated for its fruit, hearts of palm, leaves and trunk wood, grown in Brazil. The anti-oxidant rich berry has attained the status of a super food with many health benefits. Acai bowls, also on the menu, consist of pureed acai berries blended to a thick, smoothie-like consistency, and finished off with a variety of toppings. Smoothville smoothies offers at least three choices of acai bowls, including a peanut butter version topped with banana, peanut butter, shaved chocolate and chia seeds.
The business also offers smoothies that are vegan, gluten free and Keto friendly. A choice of add-ons may include turmeric, ginger, black pepper, mint, CBD oil, protein powder, matcha, nutmeg, and more.
Opening a new business in the middle of a pandemic presents its own challenges, but Smoothville smoothies is coping. ”During COVID-19 we are asking our customers to order online or phone ahead whenever possible. We are offering curbside delivery for all orders. We have limited our shop access to one person at a time (two if from the same family/group). We have asked customers to pay with credit cards whenever possible to avoid handling cash. Our store is now one way only - in one door and out the other. All equipment (POS) and counters are sanitized immediately after a customer has been in. We also ask customers to step outside while we prepare their order and we will bring it out for them,” Simons said. Parking is available in the lot behind the building.
Also, Simons said, “We offer online ordering through our website at www.smoothvillesmoothies.com. Another quick and easy way to order is to download the Toast Takeout App. It has a direct link to our menu.” The store’s phone number is 860-698-6998.
In addition, the new business has a loyalty program, which awards customers with one point for every dollar spent. They receive 25 points on initial sign up and then they add points each time customers visit. Once they have earned 50 points, $5, they can place it toward their order or they can let them grow. With the loyalty program they also receive a free large ($7.25 value) birthday smoothie available only on the day of their birthday.