Over 100 Ann Arbor residents and University of Michigan community members lined up as early as 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning at the former location of Ulrich’s Bookstore for the opening of Playa Bowls. The first 100 people in line received a free acai bowl and T-shirts at 10 a.m., when the store officially opened. Individuals who waited in line but were not in the first 100 received a 50% discount on their bowl.
The smoothie bowl chain was founded in 2014 in Belmar, N.J. and has since opened more than 200 stores nationwide, many of which are in college towns. The Ann Arbor location will be operated by co-owners Bill Kretsch, Bruce Kaye and Matt Caplan. Kretsch said he is excited to bring the franchise to Ann Arbor in an interview with The Michigan Daily.
“My (business) partner Matt went to U of M and these Playas do really well on college campuses,” Kretsch said. “We both are huge Michigan people, football fans, so it’s always kind of been his dream, and I just knew it would be a super fun, great spot to do it.”
Kretsch told The Daily that getting the Ann Arbor location up and running has been a lengthy process.
“(Opening the location in) Ann Arbor has been a year in the making,” Kretsch said. “Just all the planning, the renovations, building it out and setting the permits.”
In anticipation of the ribbon cutting, members of the U-M cheer team energized the crowd, running down the line with maize and blue pom poms. Shortly after, everyone was welcomed into the store by a pineapple mascot and the familiar tune of “Hail to the Victors.”
Once inside, customers experienced a colorful and tropical atmosphere with nods to the University, including a Michigan-themed mermaid and maize and blue decor. The cafe offers barstool seating and tables for customers to enjoy their bowls.
In an interview with The Daily, LSA sophomore Ava Axelrood, a U-M cheer team member, said she believes the new location will provide an exciting opportunity for students to interact with each other.
“I think that this is a really fun space for students to come in and enjoy not only a healthy option but socialize,” Axelrood said.
LSA junior Kenneth Bauman, a U-M cheer team member, said the opening brings healthier choices to campus, which is especially important for the student-athlete population.
“For us as student-athletes, we’re always trying to promote our health and fitness,” Bauman said. “This is a really good option for us and a really good space for everyone on campus.”
Engineering freshman Emma Wyatt told The Daily she showed up for the grand opening at 7:30 a.m. because she was excited to try the new Ann Arbor location with her friend.
“We’re from North Campus, so we Ubered early to get here,” Wyatt said. “I have a Playa Bowls in my town, so I’m a big fan.”
Kretsch said he hopes the Ann Arbor location will provide a relaxing escape for busy college students.
“It’s a little 20-minute vacation when you visit us,” Kretsch said. “It gets you out of the weather and out of Michigan and makes you feel like you’re at the beach for a brief moment.”
Daily Staff Reporter Abby Harris can be reached at abigailx@umich.edu.