Grant Hoskins

Reporter

Garfield Street has an exciting new addition: Emerald City Smoothie. 

The Washington-based smoothie and bowl chain opened its doors about a month ago in between Farelli’s Pizza and Uni Teriyaki. 

The shop has a welcoming atmosphere and colorful menus to accommodate a variety of nutritional needs with a plethora of fresh fruits, juice concentrates, syrups, and protein to choose from. Smoothies fall into five main categories: Nourish My Body, Boost My Immune System, Help Me Lose Weight, Go Green, and Bulk Me up. Smoothie Bowls should be ready in the near future as well.

I tried the Guava Sunrise (Guava, Strawberry, Raspberry, Orange, and Whey Protein), one of the most popular choices. It was a delightful drink with tropical fruits and a sweet aftertaste. I also sampled the Power Fuel (Strawberry, Banana, Recovery, Whey Protein), and substituted bananas with orange concentrate, my personal favorite. Every menu option is customizable, as customers have the ability to substitute any fruit options and add protein, giving the store a create-your-own feel.

The owner, Ahmad Newton, 44, has lived in the Tacoma area since he was a teenager and worked at the PLU cafeteria in high school. As a former employee, manager, and co-owner for Emerald City Smoothie, opening his own store in Parkland was a promising opportunity. He has worked  in the health and fitness industry for 22 years and views smoothies as a great way to meet nutritional needs. 

“[Smoothies] are a quick alternative to fast food being that it can be more of a whole food instead of a treat, they meet your caloric needs, high [in] protein, low [in] fat, low [in] sodium, so it’s more beneficial for you, just depending on what you are looking for,” Newton said. 

The store caters to active young people, especially college students who see significantly less sunlight in Washington and could benefit from a boost in protein and vitamins. The smoothies range in price between six and seven dollars, and are a healthy choice to satiate the cravings of fast food and satisfy the sweet tooths. Look out for any promotions in the near future and stop by if you’re looking for an enjoyable ordering experience and personable staff. 

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