Since coming to UF, Alyssa Rubin has missed her favorite restaurant.
The UF engineering freshman said she would visit 3 Natives, an acai and juice bar, all the time in her hometown of Jupiter, Florida.
"It’s just different than most other food places," the 18-year-old said, emphasizing how she enjoyed all the fruit.
But Rubin said she was beyond excited when she found out the restaurant was coming to Gainesville. She even took pictures of the restaurant’s upcoming location and sent them to friends.
On Monday, 3 Natives, located at 1023 W. University Ave. between Karma Cream and Mother’s Pub and Grill, celebrated its official opening. While the restaurant has been selling acai bowls — acai, a berry-like fruit, mixed with fruit, granola, peanut butter, honey or coconut — since its soft opening Thursday, they began selling smoothies Monday as part of the grand opening.
Monica Kripps, the restaurant owner, said they plan to gradually introduce more variety in their food choices, including wraps, sandwiches, bagels and cold-pressed coffee.
"Nothing is processed," she said, adding that acai is a healthy food option. "We’re trying to make it all go organic, and a lot of it already is."
Kripps, who decorated the restaurant to include a lounge area, said she wants 3 Natives to be more than a place to get food and coffee and hopes students come to study and socialize.
The restaurant is currently open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., but she said the hours may change to accommodate the customers.
"The hours are going to vary depending on what you guys need," Kripps said.
Emily Lassandro, a 3 Natives employee, said the light-blue walls, beach-themed paintings and music give the restaurant a "chill" feel and makes up for Gainesville not having a beach.
"3 Natives feels like a home away from home," she said.
