Although the store officially opened at 11 a.m., guests dressed in sweatpants and blankets braved the cold and lined up at Gainesville’s premiere Playa Bowls as early as 8 a.m. in hopes of earning a free breakfast.
The guests were greeted with a lively ambiance upon entering. As the clock struck 11 a.m., more than 100 hungry customers filed into the shop, where a DJ welcomed them with lively remixes of popular songs such as “Like a G6.”
Playa Bowls is a national health food chain corporation specializing in acai bowls, smoothies, chia seed pudding and oat and juice products. Founded by Abby Taylor and Rob Giuliani in 2014, the brand has over 200 locations and operates in 22 states. Now at 1260 SW Fifth Ave., the location is the company’s first in north central Florida.
For its launch, the first 50 guests in line would receive a free bowl, causing early lines of excited customers.
Gainesville locals have been eagerly anticipating the opening of Playa Bowls since construction began around September. Among those patiently waiting was Ashley Kidd, a UF political science freshman.
“I got in line at 9:30 this morning,” Kidd said. “Luckily I was No. 44, so it was worth it.”
She used to frequent Playa Bowls at her home in Boca Raton when she would go to the beach, and she said she plans to continue dining at the Gainesville location.
“I will for sure be a very frequent customer,” Kidd said. “Playa Bowls is going to be my new post-exam reward.”
Kidd was one of the many individuals who also participated in the five days of giveaways Playa Bowls hosted via Instagram. Some of the prizes included a one-year membership at Crunch Fitness, $75 worth of credits to Athleta and free classes at HotWorx, a yoga studio at Southwest 34th Street.
Laeyah Malcolm, the general manager of Playa Bowls, chose to partner with local gyms and other companies because they fit Playa Bowls’ brand of health and wellness, she said.
Malcolm began preparing for her role as general manager since she got hired about four months ago, she said.
“I’ve been traveling, like working in other Playas,” she said. “Coming and using what I saw in the other ones that I was at, putting it into my store so then my employees can have an ease of transition for getting from one spot to another.”
Playa Bowls Chief Marketing Officer Nicolle DuBose said she strategically chose Gainesville as the store’s next location due to the young, college crowd catered to its menu items.
“Gainesville and its lively college crowd is the perfect canvas for the vibrant flavors and high-quality ingredients that define Playa Bowls,” DuBose said. “Our menu … is crafted to resonate with the energetic rhythm of active lifestyles. What better place to find locals with active lifestyles than a college town?”
Playa Bowls is open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Contact Tanya Fedak at tfedak@alligator.org. Follow her on X @ttanyafedak.
