For franchise details call 855-463-2280 or schedule a meeting here

BY PALO ALTO WEEKLY – A new açaí bowl shop is now open at 650 Castro St. in downtown Mountain View.

Vitality Bowls, a national franchise that got its start in California, serves made-to-order açaí bowls (a thick, smoothie-like blend of the superfruit, typically topped with granola, fruit and other ingredients) as well as smoothies, fresh juices, soups, salads and paninis. The bowls have no fillers such as ice, frozen yogurt, added sugar or artificial preservatives.

This newest location is being run by Angelo Camacho, the 18-year-old nephew of Vitality Bowls founder Tara Gilad. Gilad opened the first Vitality Bowls in San Ramon in 2011 after coping with the challenges presented by her young daughter’s severe food allergies.

Growing up “surrounded by healthy foods and successful entrepreneurs,” including his aunt, Camacho dreamed of opening his own business, the recent high school graduate said in a press release.

Camacho opened the Mountain View outpost on May 10, marking the company’s 50th location. There are nearby outposts in Palo Alto and Redwood City.

The Mountain View location replaced another açaí bowl shop, Mahalo Bowl, which closed in January.

Check out the Vitality Bowls menu here. There will also be nitrogen cold-brew coffee and organic kombucha available on tap.

Dedicated açaí bowl shops have been popping up throughout the Midpeninsula in recent years.