JSH’s KY: Popular Jamba Juice brings
tasty smoothie’s to Lex’s Center Court

You may have noticed there’s a new business in Lexington’s Center Court (535 S. Upper St.) – Kentucky’s very first Jamba Juice location opens its doors Monday.

If you’ve never had a smoothie before, now might be a good time to start. They can be just about anything you want them to be, from a slushy fruit beverage to a creamy milkshake-like thick vitamin-packed treat. Though the smoothie boom is often associated with the 1970s and 1980s, it’s a term that actually goes back to at least the 1940s, when cookbooks for the Waring Blender offered recipes for pineapple and banana smoothies. Some smoothies are healthier than others, but even the most basic smoothie is obviously better for you than soda pop or processed supermarket-brand fruit juice – not to mention more filling and satisfying, so you tend to consume less.

I love smoothies and run my own juicer daily, but am always out there on the lookout for other exciting and healthy refreshments like Smoothie King and Tropical Smoothie Café. I’ve been hearing about Jamba Juice for years, and am pleased that we finally have one here.

“We are excited to bring Jamba Juice, a brand associated with the a ‘healthy, active lifestyle’ to fans here in Lexington,” said owner/operators Don and Emmy Marquess, in a press release. “We started the blenders whirling officially today and now local fans and visitors are able to enjoy one of our more than 30 made-to-order whole fruit smoothies.” In addition to their line of chilled smoothies, you can also get fresh squeezed orange juice, carrot juice, and hot blended beverages, There’s also baked goods, frozen yogurt, and an intriguing-sounded slow-cooked oatmeal (made with organic steel cut oats).

“I am thrilled to be in Lexington to welcome fans and celebrate the opening of our first Jamba Juice store in Kentucky,” said James D. White, the chairman, president, and CEO of Jamba Juice. “I have been associated with Don Marquess for over 20 years and he is an exceptional business manager. This store represents the first of seven Jamba stores he and his partners at the Speaquess Group plan to open over the next six years.”

There are reportedly 750 Jamba locations in the United States – 307 of them company-owned and 443 of them franchise-operated. You can find out more about Jamba’s other locations as well as promotions by visiting the Jamba Juice website at www.jambajuice.com, or calling their hotline: 1-866-4R-FRUIT (473-7848).

Me, I just love smoothies for the taste and general health benefits, but if weight loss is your goal, they also offer something called “Fit-n-Fruitful” which promises to be a tasty and nutrition-packed meal replacement. I’m definitely looking forward to checking the place out, and I’ll see you there!

Jeffrey Scott Holland is a native Kentuckian, painter, writer, actor, musician, paralegal – and interested in all things. He joins a growing stable of talented, interesting regular columnists for KyForward.com, bringing his gift of a well-turned phrase, quirkiness and humor to entertain and enlighten — and sometimes provoke — our readers. He can always be reached at any time, by anyone on the planet, at jshpaint@gmail.com.