From Marc Bona at Cleveland.com on July 28, 2023:
BEREA, Ohio – Vitality Bowls, a superfoods café, is opening today – Friday, July 28 – in Berea.
Michael Todia and Susan DiMassa of North Royalton are opening the 1,380-square-foot health-focused eatery at 347 Front St. “We spent quite a few years trying to find a good location and exactly what we wanted to do,” DiMassa said. “Once we found the location everything just fell into place.” Added Todia: “It’s been a roller-coaster. Right now it seems like we have developed and built a really great team. The support of Vitality Bowls out of California has been awesome. We’re really excited about it.”
The menu will include healthy fast-casual items, so expect acai bowls, smoothies, fresh juices, wraps, grain bowls, toasts and salads. Acai bowls are made from a thick blend of the anti-oxidant berries and topped with granola and nutrient-packed superfoods, he said. When you think of college campuses you might think of bars and, well, more bars, but kids today have a concerted health-conscious focus, the couple said.
“A lot of these college kids are more aware of these healthy foods and a healthy environment and what’s around them,” DiMassa said. Both have daughters in college who love healthy foods, they said. “It’s definitely a trend,” she said. “I think it going to be part of the norm. People are looking for healthier alternatives.” A fireplace was delivered with a hole in it, so that’s the only part of the location that won’t be finished for today’s opening, Todia said, and a patio will be opening in about a week. To start, some outdoor seating will be available on the parking-lot side near the main entrance. The couple also has been planning a second location, in Brecksville, but no target date has been set, Todia said.
“We’re still planning on opening Brecksville, but we’re going to get this one up and running on its feet first. Brecksville will open when the time is right,” he said. “We’ve been truly blessed with this opportunity,” Todia said.
Vitality Bowls
Owners: Michael Todia and Susan DiMassa.
Location: 347 Front St., Berea.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week, with planned closures on Easter, Christmas and New Year’s Day, though hours might be adjusted.
Other Ohio locations: Pickerington and Rocky River.
Related coverage: Vitality Bowls superfoods cafés planned for Berea, Brecksville
I am on cleveland.com’s life and culture team and cover food, beer, wine and sports-related topics. For my recent stories, here’s a directory on cleveland.com. Bill Wills of WTAM-1100 and I talk food and drink usually at 8:20 a.m. Thursdays. Twitter: @mbona30. My latest book, co-authored with Dan Murphy, is “Joe Thomas: Not Your Average Joe” by Gray & Co.
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