By Emily Mosier
A tropical-themed smoothie café is coming to Troy University’s campus this fall, and the small business has plans to give back to student organizations.
Located next to the Dining Hall, Blenz Bowls will be serving smoothie bowls with chocolate, nuts, fruits, and acai.
Twice a week, Blenz Bowls will have percentage days, where ten percent of that day’s sales are donated to campus philanthropies and nonprofits. This includes Greek philanthropies and clubs dedicated to raising money for charity.
“From the beginning, we wanted to serve a really good, healthy product, but also be a positive light in people’s lives.” said Riley Voce, co-owner of Blenz Bowls. “We love to give back.”
The business’s official motto is “Be a Good Human.” One way the business tries to live up to its motto is by donating all water sales to a company called “Never Thirst” that builds wells in Uganda.
“I was so thrilled to hear that Blenz Bowls will support our student organizations,” said Barbara Patterson, Troy University’s Director of Student Involvement. “Community service is at the heart of Troy University’s students, so I think that it is just absolutely wonderful.”
The arrival of Blenz Bowls means that “Trojan Marketplace,” the convenience store that opened in August 2022 under the name “Jazzman’s,” has closed.
Voce started Blenz Bowls with his business partner Zack Rogers in 2018, when they opened a food truck at The University of Alabama. Since then, they have opened locations on eleven college campuses across the Southeast.
Voce said he hopes Blenz Bowls will offer a healthier alternative for college students.
“Oh my gosh, I gained the freshman 40 my first year, eating greasy foods every day and just cooking terrible things for myself,” Voce said. “So that’s what Troy approached us with – they wanted a healthy option.”
Blenz Bowls visited campus in the Spring where members of SGA participated in a tasting, and Voce says the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
Students will be able to spend their flex points at Blenz Bowls, and the business will be hiring between 12 and 15 Troy University students. Catering services will also be available.
Students can stay up-to-date on applications by visiting BlenzBowls.com and organizations can request to join percentage days by emailing BlenzTroy@gmail.com.
