SoBol, the New York-based açaí shop, which offers refreshing and nutritious açaí bowls and fruit smoothies, will be opening its first Philadelphia-area location at 46 South 17th Street on Wednesday, April 11.
To celebrate the opening, anyone in uniform all day long will receive one complimentary açaí bowl, regularly priced at $8.50 and all other customers who visit on SoBol’s first day will receive a coupon for free toppings.
“We want the hard working local men and women who wear uniforms while protecting our city, keeping the neighborhood and area businesses clean and delivering all of the packages that keep the region ticking, to enjoy our healthy and delicious treats on us,” says Dan Nestor, franchisee.
SoBol’s new Philadelphia outpost is the latest addition to the company’s roster of 20 locations (one in Connecticut and the rest in New York). SoBol is spearheaded by Nestor and Mike Quinn, who are longtime friends and business partners. The pair went to high school and college together in West Chester, Pa., grew up playing sports with and against each other, and have worked together at NEXClean — a specialty cleaning company that the two founded in 2013, which services healthcare facilities throughout the East coast region.
SoBol menu items consist of açaí and pitaya bowls, as well as fruit smoothies. SoBol’s menu features three sizes of açaí bowls: $5.95 for kids bowls, $8.50 for regular bowls and $12.95 for super bowls, the latter of which can feed two or three adults. SoBol blends frozen açaí berries, strawberries, bananas and a splash of soy milk, to create thick fruit smoothies. They then parfait the purée between two layers of homemade granola, and top each bowl with blueberries, sliced bananas, strawberries, a sprinkle of coconut and a drizzle of honey. SoBol’s original pitaya bowls contain their homemade granola, pitaya purée and an assortment of mango, kiwi, pineapple, coconut and a drizzle of honey. Pitaya bowls are priced at $6.95, $9.50 and $14.95, respectively.
Specialty toppings can be added to any bowl for $1.25 each, with options including pineapple, mango, kiwi, hemp seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, natural peanut butter, cookie butter, Nutella and natural almond butter. Specialty blends, including açaí juice, almond milk, coconut milk or apple juice, can replace soy milk, as well, for $1.25 each. Smoothies are priced at $7.29 each, with options including Açaí; Pitaya Plus; Super Green; Very Berry; and Strawberry Banana. Whey protein can be added to any smoothie for $1.75.
The new SoBol Rittenhouse also includes a number of local brands to round out the menu offerings, including coffee from Philly Fair Trade Roasters, Backyard Beans Coffee Company‘s Punch in the Face Cold Brew, Nutty Novelties, Lenka Bar granola bars and RTZN Brands snacks, including Righteous Felon beef jerky and Mavuno Harvest organic dried fruit.
Nestor and Quinn said they plan to eventually expand in Philadelphia, as well as in Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties, but they are focused on the Rittenhouse operation for now. The 17th Street location, which was designed and built by James Morrissey, a restaurant designer, and his partner Frank Lott, will open to walk-in orders only, but eventually expand to online ordering, as well as third-party delivery services. The shop will be open seven days a week, from 7 a.m.–8 p.m., but will debut at noon on April 11.
“We’ve partnered with some really incredible local brands whose products we’re proud to feature in our new location,” said Quinn. “Between the snacks and all of the options on SoBol’s menu, there won’t be a shortage of delicious, healthy foods and drinks which Philadelphians can choose from. We really can’t wait to open, and we’re excited to meet the legions of health-conscious foodies in and around Philadelphia. Our opening giveaway will be a fun way for us to get to know the neighborhood, and vice-versa. We expect big things for the first — and certainly not the last — SoBol Philly location.”
You can find SoBol at 46 S. 17th St. in Philadelphia.
- Photos: SoBol
