Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

Smoothie Operator: Cobble Creek adds to the range of healthier options in Harrisburg.

Screenshot 2015-09-28 10.06.48Over the past decade or so, Harrisburg’s dining scene has been a story of continual evolution and growth.

Recently, we’ve seen an emphasis on healthier eating, which is where Jason Jean and Bob Burns enter the picture.

Jean, with his restaurant experience (he once owned Café Vigneto in Hershey), and Burns, a local real estate investor, put their heads together to bring a new dining option to the downtown area.

“We sat down and pitched ideas off each other to determine what would be a good fit for the area,” said Jean.

That’s where the concept of Cobble Creek Smoothies & Eatery took shape, and the two men set to work.

“We stripped it down to the 1865 boards,” said Burns of the historic building across the street from the YMCA on N. 2nd Street. Construction began in February and ended in June.

The end result is a welcoming, casual space with a beachy vibe painted in pastel hues. Licenses and maps, evocative of travel, adorn the walls of the cozy establishment with seating inside for 16.

Guests can join friends at aluminum tables in the “selfie-corner,” where they can snap pictures for the Web page, while others sit on rattan stools that line a wall-facing bar. Several picnic benches are available outside for al fresco dining during nice days.

When the restaurant opens at 11 a.m., the public begins filtering in for their morning smoothies.

“I enjoy the Popeye shake,” said Stephanie Pugh, who works nearby, referring to one of the more popular smoothies comprised of spinach, kale, mango, pineapple and banana.

Pugh said she likes the protein “enhancer” as an add on, referring to the 99-cent option for additional “boosts” like fish oil, cane sugar, protein and vitamins like C and B12.

A list of 20 smoothie recipes lines the menu, ranging from tropical combos to vegetable/fruit mixes to a nut and coffee concoction—and the variations don’t end there.

“Customers can build their own, as well, choose up to seven different items—all guaranteed fresh since we use no freezers,” said Jean.

Manager Kevin Karpovich, who resides above the establishment, makes it his job to ensure that everything is operating, well, smoothly. The self-described “city boy from Detroit” sees to the unique needs of patrons, and Pugh attests that customer service is a standout at Cobble Creek.

“It’s very friendly and welcoming,” she said. “Kevin is a ‘people person.’ He can strike up a conversation with anybody, and the people love him. He has that personality that customers like.”

Replied Karpovich: “I just want to build that long-term relationship with our customers to keep them coming back.”

In addition to smoothies, Cobble Creek offers a full-page menu of lunch and dinner items. Chili is served daily, along with soups, house and Caesar salads, sliders ranging from beef to fried chicken and a vegetarian Portobello mushroom option. A variety of chicken, turkey and vegetarian wraps comes in both small and large sizes and sides include chips, onion rings and fries (both sweet potato and regular), with everything packed in “to-go” boxes for easy portability.

Maintaining the integrity of the healthy concept is reinforced by certain limitations the operators have imposed on themselves.

“There are no freezers, heat lamps or microwaves on the premises, and, if some of our food tastes just a little different, it’s because we only cook with extra virgin olive oils—no butters,” said Jean.

Children, in particular, love the deep-fried Oreos. When questioned about the healthiness of that option, Jean, Burns and Karpovich erupt in laughter, before arriving at the consensus that it’s a “boardwalk thing.”

After indulging in a delicious smoothie, I headed towards the door before being distracted by one of the workers as he waved a sandwich aloft from the open kitchen located in the back.

“One taste, and it’s a WRAP,” he yelled.

Cobble Creek Smoothies & Eatery is located at 709 N. 2nd Street, Harrisburg. For more information on hours, menu items and future plans, visit www.cobblecreekbrands.com.

 

Continue Reading