The start of summer might be a few weeks away, but locals can get a taste of the season now thanks to the opening of Playa Bowls.
Located at 2645 Street Road in Bensalem, the shop, which celebrated its grand opening in April, specializes in healthy acai and pitaya bowls that are regularly found in tropical locales, as well as smoothies, juices, cold brew and more.
Bronwyn Bergen, who owns and operates the superfruit bowl shop with her husband Mike Bergen, told The Times, “Playa Bowls embodies the spirit of an ‘endless summer.’ The products and store transport customers to the beach, even if they’re far from the coast. We get to sell unique and refreshing bowls, smoothies and juices that practically taste like sunshine and sand.”
For the Bergens, the Street Road location marks their fourth endeavor as Playa Bowl franchisees. They opened their first store in 2020 in Newtown, followed by Fairless Hills and Fort Myers. Over the weekend, they also opened up a fifth in Wilkes-Barre.
Playa Bowls was founded in 2014 by surfers Rob Giuliani and Abby Taylor, who wanted to recreate health-conscious versions of the acai and pitaya bowls that they encountered on their various surf trips spanning from Costa Rica to Hawaii. The duo discovered new and unique twists on the popular post-surf treat at each beach, and came home wanting more. So, they set up a blender and a folding table on the boardwalk in their hometown of Belmar, New Jersey, and Playa Bowls was born.
Since its inception, Playa Bowls has expanded to 200 shops operating in 22 states, with plans to continue to expand the domestic footprint.
It was through Giuliani that the Bergens first heard about and became extremely interested in Playa Bowls.
“[He] ws our neighbor along the Jersey Shore,” Bronwyn said. “He encouraged us to join his mission and become part of his vision. Once we learned more about Playa Bowls and tasted their products, we were hooked. Many of their missions aligned with what Mike and I believe in.”
Such missions include: a focus on health and wellness by offering bowls that are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and fiber; serving as a community gathering place; expanding local job opportunities; supporting nearby businesses by bringing new clientele to the area; and promoting sustainability by using eco-friendly materials for packaging.
“Its impact extends beyond serving bowls — it enriches the local experience and fosters connections among residents,” said Bronwyn.
Street Road Plaza was strategically chosen as the perfect spot for the Bergens’ fourth shop because of its ideal location in the heart of Bensalem. Plus, after spending 30 years in Bucks, the Bergens understand the area and its accessibility from Philadelphia and other spots outside the county.
“We look forward to welcoming Bensalem guests to experience their own personal paradise between the tropical ambience and indulgent offerings as they step foot into our newest Playa Bowls shop,” said Bronwyn. “As a former Pennsylvania school teacher, I take pride in setting our children and communities up for success, and part of that is providing them with meal options that are packed with wholesome ingredients.”
Guests at Playa Bowls can pick from an extensive menu of bowls or customize their own. They can choose from a variety of blends made with superfoods, including pure acai, pitaya, coconut, kale, banana, oatmeal and, the brand’s newest base, mango. Guests can also add tasty yet nutritious toppings, such as fresh cut fruits, seeds, nuts, granola, dried berries and nut butters. Bowls can be made vegan or gluten-free, and they can be adapted to integrate into Whole30, Keto and Paleo diets.
The new shop is open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visit playabowls.com for more information.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at [email protected]
