Smoothie chain opens Wichita location, the first of several planned
Wichita woke up on Monday, Oct. 11, with a new place to get smoothies — and also a bite to eat.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe, part of a chain based in Destin, Florida, opened its first Wichita location Monday morning in the former Dickey’s Barbecue Pit space at 2768 N. Maize Road.
The franchisees are Aaron and Jenni Courtney, who also own Hurts Donut at 7010 W. 21st St., and the new shop is the first of several Tropical Smoothie Cafes the couple plans to open in Wichita. In addition to a big menu of smoothies with options for add-ins like pea protein and vitamin C, Tropical Smoothie Cafe also has a substantial food menu filled with flatbreads, quesadillas, sandwiches, wraps and salads.
The hours for the shop, which also has a drive-through, are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Though Monday was opening day, the big grand-opening events, including a free-smoothies-for-a-year giveaway, happen this weekend.
The celebration starts on Friday, when smoothies will be on special for $1.99 all day. Then, on Saturday, the first 50 people through the door will win free smoothies for a year.
“We’ve had people message us asking, ‘What time can we start camping out?” said Jenni Courtney. “And we’re like, ‘Oh, that is dedication.’”
Also on Saturday, flatbreads will be on special for $2.99. Then on Sunday, customers can get flatbread/smoothie combos for $5.99.
You can see the full Tropical Smoothie Cafe menu at www.tropicalsmoothiecafe.com/menu/
The Courtneys, who put on a small soft opening event on Sunday night, said that one of the most popular orders throughout the evening was the Kiwi Kwencher, a bright pink smoothie that combines kiwi, strawberries and non-fat yogurt.
Jenni Courtney said her favorite smoothie is the Avocolada, a green concoction made with avocado, pineapple, spinach, kale, coconut and lime. Aaron Courtney said he’s a fan of the more tart smoothies, including the Blimey Limey, made with strawberries, pineapple, orange juice and lime. He also likes the cafe’s wrap sandwiches, he said, most of which are filled with chicken.
Both said they were oddly addicted to the cafe’s avocado grilled cheese sandwich, which features a cheese blend melted with bacon, smoked tomato spread and smashed avocado on toasted sourdough.
“I’ve had three of those today,” Aaron Courtney said.
The couple said they’ve been eyeing spots for an east-side Tropical Smoothie Cafe but have yet to settle on one. They promised an update as soon as they did.
This story was originally published October 11, 2021 at 10:56 AM.
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