Tropical Smoothie Café opening soon
Jason and Kelly Willeman are bringing Tropical Smoothie Café to Farragut.
Space at 119 Lovell Road, in the shopping center beside Costco, is under construction for the Tropical Smoothie Café.
The Willemans, franchise co-owners, said they are shooting for a March 4 grand opening date, depending on construction progress.
“I can’t wait to open,” Jason Willeman said. “This has been almost a year-and-a-half-long process to get to this point. We are almost ready to open the doors.”
With help from a broker, he chose the site near Costco because of the Kingston Pike traffic.
“It’s an awesome retail market in this area, and being near Costco is very attractive,” Jason Willeman said. “And, I felt this market needed this type of food offering.
“I think it’s going to offer a healthier lifestyle food. It’s fast food made healthy.”
Tropical Smoothie Café will carry smoothies made with fresh fruits and vegetables. The shop also will carry wraps, flatbreads, sandwiches and salads.
“There are no powdered fruit flavors in the Smoothie,” Willeman said.
Jason Willeman said he plans to get involved in the community and offer opportunities for groups, such as schools, to use the store as a fundraiser.
Originally from Delta, Ohio, he said the Willemans currently live in Greeneville, but plan to locate to the Farragut area in
the coming weeks, as soon as
they have their business up and running.
Before buying the franchise for Farragut, Willeman worked in steel manufacturing and processing for 20 years.
“I just started looking for an alternative career, and this particular franchise offers unique smoothies and other healthy options,” he said.
The Farragut location is one of three West Knox County locations. There is another Tropical Smoothie Café near West Town Mall, which has been operating for 10 years, and Willeman’s brother, Jody, is opening a store Feb. 21 in the Cedar Bluff area.
Hours will be from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays.
More information about Tropical Smoothie Café is available by visiting tropicalsmoothiecafe.com
