On its first day of business, students found Robek’s fresh, made-to-order fruit smoothies to be an appropriate addition to the Student Recreation and Wellness Center’s lobby on Monday.
“Even though we already have another Robek’s in the University Student Union, I wouldn’t want to walk that far after I’m done with my workout,” Nicole Morales, a pre-nursing major, said. “Now that we have one here, I think it’s perfect.”
The smoothie shop’s menu also includes sandwiches, salads and other healthy options for the health conscious student.
“It was definitely a smart move to put a healthy food choice in a location where it is exactly what the crowd there would want,” Jonathan Westlake, a computer science graduate student, said as he sipped on his Stranana Berry smoothie. “Plus, it’s great news for those of us who have most of our classes on this side of campus.”
The Daily 49er reported in April that Robeks was chosen as the vendor in the SRWC because it had been a successful business in the University Student Union for more than a decade, according to Associated Students Inc. Communications Coordinator Christina Esparza. Previous student surveys also revealed that students wanted a juice and smoothie bar in the SRWC.
SRWC’s previous food vendor, Fresh Foods Café Express, closed down just three months upon opening due to low sales in late 2010. The staff at Robek’s, however, foresee a much better turn out for their business.
“I expect this location to do a lot better than the café, because we sell healthy food where people like to get healthy,” Robek’s crew member and biology major Vanessa Nguyen, said.
Construction engineering major Andrew Abadeir said the vendor’s location helps it cater to students looking to make healthy choices.
“It’s definitely the most beneficial for students who work out here frequently,” Abadeir said. “If anything, I think it’s more essential for it to be on this side because this is where people who like to participate in fitness are at.”