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By Dawn Allcot |
Babylon Village is getting a new lunch spot, and just in time for the holiday season.
Bowl Shake, an acai bowl and smoothie shop, is coming to 35 E. Main Street, the former home of gift shop Thistle and That.
“This is the last full week of construction [Oct. 28]. Then we have to clean, stock inventory, and train the employees,” Bowl Shake owner Cristina Zubi told Greater Long Island on Monday. “I would love to say we’re opening in two weeks, but it’s probably going to be three.”
This timeline would place the grand opening around the week of Nov. 18, right before Black Friday shoppers and the Babylon Village holiday festivities in December.
Opening a restaurant is a new adventure for Zubi, marking a departure from her former career as a special education teacher on Long Island.
She left classroom teaching in 2013 but has been working for an agency since then, serving various school districts with her expertise in special education curriculums, research, and behavioral therapy. “I worked in [various] schools until June, and now I’ll be switching gears!” she said. “I love what I do, but this is a new chapter.”
The first location, launched and run by Zubi’s brother-in-law, is a staple in Cliffside Park, N.J.
As the family began discussing expansion plans, Zubi suggested, “Why don’t we bring it to Long Island?”
After exploring various walkable downtown areas on both the North and South shores, Zubi discovered the Babylon Village location, conveniently located on a popular Main Street and near a railroad station.
“This is such a great town,” she said. “It’s so wonderful in so many ways. And as I’ve gotten to know a lot of the local store owners, we just know we made the right choice.”
What to expect
The restaurant emphasizes acai and pitaya bowls, smoothies, protein shakes and juices, all made with natural ingredients. Zubi said produce and other ingredients will be delivered fresh to the Babylon Village location daily. Tap here for the full menu.
The shop’s décor will mimic the fun and friendly vibe of the original location, with a artificial grass wall, bright neon lights, and inspirational quotes.
“We want to have a signature look,” Zubi said. “It’s very fresh, very modern. We have an exposed brick wall that we painted black. We have very colorful artwork on it.
“I feel like that’s really fun. Overall, it’s just colorful, energetic, positive vibes.”
For more, follow them on Instagram.
Top: Acai bowls from Bowl Shake. (Credit: Instagram/bowlshake)
