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Tulare Fruit Land Fresh First in Central Valley
September 10, 2009
Fruit Land Fresh is open on Prosperity Avenue in the shopping center in front of the Super Target. Soon, a second shop will open in front of the Target Greatland on Mooney Boulevard in Visalia. Fruit Land Fresh sells fresh smoothies, yogurt-flavored smoothies and something called popa, a tapioca-like treat. The Tulare shop brings with it six new jobs; average shops employ between six and 10 people and vary in size from 1,000-1,300 square feet.
Owner Gregory Lee first established Fruit Land Fresh in 2003 in Anchorage, Alaska, and now owns five shops. He decided to expand the line to Central California and chose Tulare as his first venture outside of Alaska because of a business relationship he said he had with the developer of the Tulare shopping center it’s in. He has plans to open four more in the Central Valley and said he hopes to open the Visalia store by the end of this year or in early 2010.
“A key concept of our business is we blend and mix all the fruits in front of the customer, not doing anything in the back of the kitchen,” Lee said. “We also have a place that’s really nice for people to gather, with nice seating, a large-screen TV, free Wi-Fi and music. You can relax or even have a simple business meeting.” Lee said he’s proud of the products offered and that people of all ages can gather and enjoy a healthy drink that doesn’t involve alcohol or caffeine.
http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200909101816/ROI/90910019
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