CANANDAIGUA, NY — Margo Moore often dreamed about opening a juice bar, especially during those times when she was craving a healthy smoothie but couldn’t find one close by.
The dream will soon become reality, a healthy, natural and refreshing reality at that.
In early September, Moore, along with longtime friend Jenna Page, will open SMÜ Cafe + Market in the former Next Door Coffee space in the Stella’s Florist strip plaza on state Route 332 in the town of Canandaigua.
Health-conscious consumers will be able to find whole-pressed juices, hot coffee, mushroom coffee and golden milk latte as well as grab-and-go items such as yogurt parfaits, chia sweet pudding, crispy brown rice squares and other healthful retail food and drink items.
And how could they not offer smoothies and smoothie bowls? SMÜ, by the way, is an inside joke between Moore and Page, their shortened way of saying “smoothie.”
“Let’s get a SMÜ, like people shorten sushi or other foods,” Page explained.
Moore said the time was right for her and her friend to do something about not only finding a SMÜ but offering others the option as well.
“She (Moore) came up with it when she said, ‘Every time I’m traveling, and I’m out and about, the first thing I want to do when I get somewhere after a long day of travel is get a juice or smoothie, something healthy,’” Page said.
The brains behind SMÜ Cafe + Market
Moore, a photographer and Pilates instructor, said she is the right side of the brain part of the team. Page, who has been in the marketing field for 15 years and is full-time brand director at Dixon Schwabl Co., would then be the left.
Yet they are very much alike.
Both are transplants to the Canandaigua area from the Rochester area; they and their families moving out this way a few years apart.
Both have young children.
Both are health-conscious, and both agree they want to start small and grow the business over time.
“Definitely, it’s been a slow and steady wins the race sort of thing,” Moore said.
Their long-term goal is to engage with as many local farms and produce providers as they can and eventually be sourcing all organic ingredients, Page said.
“Our hope is that for sure the ingredients are always clean and whole foods,” Page said. “There aren’t powders or mixes or added processed sugar in what we’re doing.”
In other words, Moore said, “There should be nothing listed on the ingredients that we offer that sounds confusing or you might not know what it is.”
Make SMÜ Cafe + Market a healthy routine
Their idea had been germinating for a few years, until this space, which also once housed Northstar Coffee Shop before it moved down the road to Main Street, Canandaigua, became available.
SMÜ Cafe + Market does have indoor seating and Wi-Fi, along with a couch in their green brand color, for those who want to stick around for a bit after ordering. They hope to host events such as book club meetings and pop-up workouts.
But for now, they’re focused on the grab-and-go business model.
“We’re going to feel out how many people end up staying longer term, whether it’s parents and kids or high school and college students coming by or folks who want to work,” Page said.
What they do want to see is customers include SMÜ as part of their routine.
“We want it to be a routine for people, whether they’re on their way out to a class at FLCC or on their way to the office,” Page said.
After stopping in, say hello to Moore, who will be working on site day to day.
“I’m definitely looking forward to meeting more people in the community and establishing relationships,” Moore said.
More about SMÜ Cafe + Market
SMÜ Cafe + Market is at 1880 Rochester Road (Route 332). Hours will be 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays to start. For more details, visit https://www.instagram.com/smu_flx/.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: New juice and smoothie café opening soon in Canandaigua
Reporting by Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
