Bowl Shake, an acai bowl and smoothie shop, is opening soon in Babylon Village.

Author: Don Alcott |

Babylon Village is getting a new dining spot, just in time for the holiday season.

Bowl Shake, an acai bowl and smoothie shop, is coming to 35 E. Main St., the former home of the gift shop. Thistle and TaT.

“This is the last full week of construction (October 28). Then we have to clean up, stock inventory and train employees,” said Bowl Shake owner Christina Zuby. Greater Long Island on Monday. “I’d like to say we’ll open in two weeks, but it’ll probably be three.”

According to this schedule, the grand opening will take place around the week of November 18th, right before Black Friday shoppers and the Babylon Village holiday holidays in December.

Opening the restaurant is a new adventure for Zubi, marking a departure from her previous career as a special education teacher on Long Island.

She left classroom teaching in 2013 but has since worked for the agency, serving various school districts using her expertise in special education curricula, research and behavior therapy. “I worked in (different) schools until June, and now I’m switching!” she said. “I love what I do, but this is a new chapter.”

From New Jersey to Lee.

Bowl Shake is a family business.

The first location, opened and operated by Zuby’s son-in-law, is a popular location in Cliffside Park, New Jersey.

When the family began discussing expansion plans, Zuby suggested, “Why don’t we move it to Long Island?”

After exploring various walkable downtown areas on both the north and south shores, Zuby discovered the village of Babylon, conveniently located on a popular main street and close to the train station.

“It’s such a great city,” she said. “It’s so wonderful in so many ways. And because I’ve met so many local store owners, we know we made the right choice.”

What to expect

The restaurant focuses on acai and pitaya bowls, smoothies, protein shakes and juices made from natural ingredients. Zubi said fresh produce and other ingredients will be delivered to Babylon Village daily. Click here for the full menu.

The store’s décor will mimic the fun and friendly atmosphere of the original location, with a fake grass wall, bright neon lights and inspirational quotes.

“We want to have a signature look,” Zuby said. “It’s very fresh, very modern. We have an exposed brick wall that we painted black. We have very colorful drawings.

“I feel like it’s really fun. Overall it’s just a colourful, energetic and positive atmosphere.”

For more information, follow them on Instagram.

Above: Acai bowls from Bowl Shake. (Credit: Instagram/bowlshake)