Playa Bowls, the New Jersey-based açaí and smoothie chain, is headed to Kenwood Galleria, sliding into the storefront that previously belonged to Gigi's Cupcakes. The new shop is expected to open this summer and will bring bowls, smoothies, and fresh juices to the mall's quick service food lineup.
Lease and timeline
Playa Bowls signed a lease in March for the former Gigi's Cupcakes space, according to the Cincinnati Business Courier. The outlet reports that the operator has not given a firm opening date yet, beyond aiming for a summer debut.
About the brand
The rapidly growing chain has been on a national expansion tear. The Playa Bowls franchise guide notes the brand ended 2024 with nearly 300 locations across the country. Its menu focuses on açaí, pitaya, and coconut bowls, along with smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and New Orleans style cold brew, all tailored to perform well in busy suburban shopping centers.
Why Kenwood
Kenwood has been drawing in national fast casual names, and that trend only picked up when CAVA arrived earlier this year. It was a shift that CAVA moved in that helped spotlight how operators are rethinking the mall's inline and food court space. Playa Bowls fits neatly into that push toward quick service, health-focused concepts.
What to expect next
Industry watchers say Playa Bowls is ramping up its rollout with multiunit deals and new stores across the Midwest, a strategy that could help move the Kenwood build-out and hiring process along. FERMag reported on the brand's latest franchise agreements and broader regional plans.
Shoppers can expect to see construction signs and job postings as the space is built out, and those are usually the clues that an exact opening date is close. Coverage will be updated once a formal grand opening announcement is released.
