Playa Bowls, a New Jersey-based smoothie bowl franchise, is set to open its first West Virginia location at Suncrest Towne Centre on Jan. 25, 2025.

The franchise, known for its acai and pitaya bowls, has over 200 locations nationwide and will be replacing the storefront formerly occupied by Get Fit Juices & Shakes at 1042 Suncrest Towne Center Drive.  

Beth Bennett, co-owner of the new location, said Morgantown’s population of both student and non-student residents contributed to the franchise’s expansion.

“Playa Bowls in college towns is really popular because the demographics of a Playa Bowls is between the ages of probably 13 and 30,” she said. “And then, we wanted to also have it too that when the college isn’t in session that we could be able to survive. ... So Morgantown is a great town for that because there's still a lot of people that are there during the summer months.”

Although known for its acai and pitaya bowls, the franchise also features cold brew coffee, juices and smoothies. 

Bennett said she hopes Playa Bowls will support a healthier lifestyle and promote community among residents. 

“Playa Bowls as a whole really likes to serve the communities and have the highest quality of products, and we really want to support a healthier lifestyle and inspire just a world of fun and excitement and togetherness,” she said.

“We've just been doing a lot of grassroots in the community, and I've met and talked to a lot of people. It is really community-oriented, and I'm really excited about that. And I think that if you offer people really good service, it makes them feel great.”

Bennett said the location will hire approximately 30 employees prior to its opening and encouraged students to apply. Employment information can be found on the store’s Instagram page.

Andrea Cipriano, a junior at WVU, said she thinks the store will benefit students but wishes it was closer to campus.

“I think it'll be good for college students. I don't know about the location because I feel like it could be very popular if they were to put it in the Mountainlair because obviously a lot of underclassmen don't have cars, especially the freshmen in their first year. But I feel like for a lot of kids who have cars and are familiar with that area, I feel like it's a great idea just because it's something different,” she said. 

Cipriano said she has friends from West Virginia who are excited about the store opening its first location in the state. 

“I know a lot of my friends from this state said personally that they were really excited when they heard they were opening it because they've never had it, and they're excited to try it.”

Katie Desmelyk, a junior at WVU, said she thinks it is “about time” that a Playa Bowls location opens in Morgantown.

“I think it is going to bring in a ton of money, a ton of Jersey people and I think it's just a great addition. It was about time,” she said. 

For more information on Playa Bowls, visit playabowls.com or the store’s Instagram page.

https://www.thedaonline.com/news/morgantown/playa-bowls-set-to-open-first-west-virginia-location-at-suncrest-towne-centre/article_3af01a20-a07c-11ef-a9b5-a3254669a96d.html