Cleveland’s University Circle neighborhood is about to get a little sweeter with the arrival of Playa Bowls, a smoothie and acai bowl shop set to open to the public on Sept. 19 at 11446 Euclid Ave.

Hannah Lippman, general manager of Playa Bowls University Circle, told the Cleveland Jewish News that this new location on the east side is kosher certified through Ohio-K Kosher under the supervision of Rabbi A.J. Kushner – a decision that she said is unique to this Playa Bowl’s location.

“We’re very excited to open,” Lippman said. “I’m personally very excited to be able to bring a kosher restaurant to our community, especially as an active member of the (Jewish) community myself and knowing how important it is to this community.”

According to Lippman, a congregant of B’nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike, most Playa Bowls locations, including the west end location in Rocky River, are not kosher.

But when the community flooded the location’s Instagram page with about “200 direct messages” asking whether or not they would be certified kosher after the restaurant announced its opening, the team was convinced to take the step.

“I don’t keep kosher myself, but I have a ton of friends and family who do, so I understood what it meant to be kosher, and besides that, I understood this community and how important it was to bring another Jewish dining option to them,” Lippman said. “I was like, ‘I don’t care what we have to do, we have to give this to this community.’”

Looking forward to opening their doors to a wider audience, Playa Bowls was founded in 2014 in Belmar, N.J., and has over 400 locations across the country, including in Canton, Columbus, Athens, Cincinnati and Dayton.

“I’ve always loved Playa Bowls,” Lippman, who is originally from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., said.

The locations are known for their acai bowls which consist of a few main bases for customers to choose from – acai, papaya, coconut, mango and green. Customers can then top their bowls with a selection of fruit, granola, honey, Nutella and more.

“A lot of people come in thinking it’s a snack, and then they get it, and it’s huge,” Lippman said. “It’s a full meal, and it’s meant to be a meal. (The bowls) are large and insanely filling.”

Additional menu items at Playa Bowls include smoothies, oatmeal and cold brew coffee.

“Everyone sleeps on our coffee – the coffee is incredible,” Lippman said. “I’m a huge coffee person, so coming from me, that’s a big deal.”

To view the full menu ahead of the location’s opening, visit playabowls.com.