A New Jersey-based business that specializes in fruit bowls is slated to open this month.
Playa Bowls will offer menu based on Acai bowls at the former SAS Cupcakes location on Main Street in Newark.
“We specialize in serving the healthiest Acai Bowls, Pitaya Bowls, Coconut Bowls, Green Bowls, Oatmeal bowls, Juices, Smoothies, and Chia pudding bowls,” a Facebook post noted. The page also indicated the new location will open on Jan. 20.
Playa Bowls has nearly 20 locations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Newark location will offer a high school happy hour that includes discounts on its offerings.
Playa Bowls, which comes with a Cancun-like beach theme, is part of a continuing influx of dining chains from the region that target University of Delaware chains. UD has a large contingent of students from New Jersey. The chain was founded by two Jersey Shore surfers and uses a van with surf boards as a marketing tool.
The new restaurants have kept occupancy rates in the 90 percent range along Main Street, but also have the high turnover rate common in the industry. Recent entrants specialize in calzones, burgers, poke tuna, burritos, vegetarian fare and pizza.
Acai is a South American fruit that grows on a type of palm tree in the Amazon region. Proponents call it a superfood with medical professionals warning about side effects and expressing skepticism over exaggerated claims.
