BY Alex Caruso
Staff Reporter
The popular franchise smoothie chain Robeks has opened its newest location at Sacred Heart University. Located inside of the Bobby Valentine Health and Recreation Center, the fully functioning Robeks is available for students, faculty, and anyone on campus.
The Bobby Valentine Center, which opened in August, is the new place for student recreation on campus. It features fitness classes, a bowling alley, a rock climbing wall, and much more.
Robeks officially opened on Oct. 2. Its hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the weekend. This is the second Robeks to be located in Fairfield, the first being approximately 3.8 miles from campus.
“I think Sacred Heart definitely needed a place like Robeks,” said junior Denisse Brito. “I’ll probably go to the one on campus way more than the one in Fairfield. It just makes more sense.”
There are over 83 Robeks establishments around the United States, including locations in Norwalk and Shelton, Conn.
“We really wanted to add a ‘name brand’ smoothie operation to the new rec center,” said Dean Larry Wielk. “One of the owners (Patrik Kovak) of this Robeks site, and two other sites, is a Sacred Heart graduate, so we approached him and he was thrilled about getting involved in an operation at his alma mater.”
The new Robeks is not the first place to offer smoothies at Sacred Heart University, as Linda’s has a small smoothie bar of its own.
“I don’t see myself going to Linda’s or 63’s for a smoothie anymore if Robeks is open,” said junior Hope Lecours. “Now that there is a Robeks on campus it can save me some gas money.”
“I am expecting business to be fairly robust,” said Wielk. “I know that a lot of our students already frequent the Robeks on Black Rock Turnpike. So I would think that having a site on campus is more accessible. Plus, the quality of the product speaks for itself.”
The Robeks will be offering many different smoothie options on the menu, including Acai smoothies and bowls.
“The tropical mango acai bowl is my favorite thing to get at Robeks,” said Brito. “I don’t get it everyday, but I do get it pretty often.”
Robeks focuses on being a healthy alternative, stating on their website: “Whatever you choose is guaranteed to be as nutritious as it is tasty and delicious.”
“I am a big fan of smoothies. I make one at home almost every morning. But, now that we will have a Robeks on campus I plan to be a regular customer,” said Wielk. “I don’t have one particular favorite, it kind of depends on the time of day as to whether I will go for a performance smoothie or a classic smoothie.”
“I love getting Robeks when I don’t have time to eat breakfast in the morning,” said Lecours. “The P-Nut Power Plus is my favorite smoothie! My friends and I always get it because it’s so delicious, filling and healthy!”
Robeks is now officially open on campus everyday and is hiring Sacred Heart students.
