About a year and a half ago, Brazilian açaí chain Oakberry revealed big plans for the Canadian market, including an initial five-shop debut in Vancouver.
Now, the massive global brand is readying its eighth Metro Vancouver smoothie and bowl shop for a Nov. 16 opening.
Marking its second outpost in Kitsilano alone, Oakberry is set to welcome its first guests at 1834 W 4th Ave with the usual fanfare (freebies for the first guests and an opening day prize promo event). The address was previously home to Hoké Poké.
Oakberry was founded in Brazil in 2016 and has franchises in over 30 countries, including the U.S., France, and Australia.
It was in Australia that Western Canada's Master Franchisee, Carter Friesen, first encountered the açai bowl and smoothie business.
The first Oakberry in Vancouver opened in July 2023 at 3139 W Broadway in Kitsilano.
At Oakberry shops, guests can load up cups (called "bowls") in a variety of iterations, loaded with the company's açaí base and layered with unlimited toppings like chia seeds, fresh fruit, granola, and coconut, to be enjoyed with a spoon.
The shop also makes sip-able smoothies (with up to three add-ins) using their real açai - which may strike you as being a far more intense flavour if you've only had more watered-down versions in the past. Oakberry's açai is made with 100 per cent natural ingredients, without dyes or artificial preservatives.
In addition to the smoothies and bowls, you'll find packaged goods like Oakberry's own line of açai protein bars, a canned matcha energy drink, and Vancouver-specific merch.
The other local Oakberry shops are near English Bay (on Davie), at The Post in Downtown Vancouver, on West 8th Avenue, and in Gastown. There are also shops in West Van at Park Royal and in Burnaby at The Amazing Brentwood.
The second Oakberry in Kits will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
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