Karen Dreaver was already serving up healthy and delicious smoothies at the Brick & Iron Cafe, which she owns with her husband Ted, as well as the adjacent Cross Fit Iron Legion Gym, when she discovered acai bowls.
Since March, her chilled smoothie bowls, with bases such as acai, jack fruit, dragon fruit or berries, have become one of the hottest items on the menu.
Whether opting for a bowl or a smoothie, customers can select from a wide range of fruits, proteins and toppings. There are four “drizzles” to choose from, including housemade almond and cashew butters.
Once finished, the bowls look like colorful works of art.
“I start with almond milk and a little bit of sweetener and then the base fruit,” Karen offers, as she prepares a bowl for a customer. “This one’s got acai in it and some mixed berries. The toppings she picked are granola, fresh fruit and coconut.”
The cafe is an authorized dealer for Black Rifle coffee and sells a variety of health and wellness supplements as well as fresh or frozen Muscle Meals 2 Go.
The Dreaver’s daughter, Kiera, was born with Down syndrome and the couple annually hosts a Down for Donuts event that includes fitness competitions and a silent auction to help raise awareness and funds for the GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers in Gainesville.
As the gym is conveniently next door, Karen says a lot of people take a class then stop by the cafe for a refreshment.
“And we have a lot of kids with their families coming out of sports and camps,” she shares. “My favorite part is that a lot of our repeat customers are kids. That’s when you know you have a good product, when the parents are okay with them coming and the kids are wanting to come.”
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