Playa Bowls is latest tenant signed to Station Yards

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Playa Bowls, the surf-inspired chain of superfruit bowls, is coming to the Station Yards mixed-use complex in Ronkonkoma. 

Playa Bowls franchisees Gary Yip and Victoria Yip leased a 1,445-square-foot retail space at 9 Hawkins Ave., one of the newer Station Yards buildings. The new store is expected to open in early spring. 

“We are excited to join the Ronkonkoma and Station Yards community,” the Yips said in a written statement. “We are committed to serving the freshest acai bowls, smoothies and juices. We look forward to becoming a part of Ronkonkoma and being a positive addition to this area.” 

The beachy and tropical-themed chain offers a menu that features a variety of bowls built on several bases like acai, pitaya, kale, coconut, oatmeal that are filled with fruit, granola, nuts, hemp and chia seeds, honey and more. Customers can customize their bowls by choosing a base and fillings.  

Besides the bowls, Playa Bowls also offers smoothies, juices and coffee. 

The Playa Bowls concept was the brainchild of its founders, Robert Giuliani and Abby Taylor, both Jersey Shore natives and long-time surfers. Inspired by the ubiquitous acai and pitaya bowls offered at their exotic surf trip destinations in Panama, Costa Rica, California and Hawaii, they decided to bring their own twist on the bowls to their hometown hangout.  

After making a deal with the owner of the pizza shop they lived above in Belmar, N.J., Giuliani and Taylor bought a blender, a patio table, a fridge and a freezer and set up a makeshift pop-up stand on the sidewalk in front of the pizzeria. Today, the chain has more than 300 locations open or under development, including existing Long Island stores in Lawrence, Long Beach, Merrick, Miller Place and Woodbury. 

Jason Sobel and Juliana Chiarelli of RIPCO Real Estate represented the Playa Bowls franchisees, while Maria Valanzano, Steve D’Orazio and Jake Horowitz of Colliers represented landlord Tritec in the Ronkonkoma lease transaction. 

“Station Yards is quickly becoming one of the most dynamic developments on Long Island,” Sobel said in the statement. “Playa Bowls’ addition to the project perfectly fits the area’s growing community and focus on health and wellness.” 

Valanzano said there are just a few available spaces left in the current phase of the Station Yards development. “We are proud to fill one of those spaces with Playa Bowls, a tenant that aligns perfectly with the vision of Station Yards as a vibrant, community-focused destination,” she said. “We welcome them to the development and look forward to their positive impact.” 

Meaghan Coughlan Treat, development manager for Tritec, said the developer is thankful that Playa Bowls chose to come to Station Yards. “They bring a delicious and healthy option to our community, representing a lifestyle, energy, and appeal that helps Station Yards grow as an extraordinary destination,” she said.