Smoothie shop opens near Mall

SOUTH PORTLAND — Tropical Smoothie Café has opened its first Maine location, in the newly renovated shopping center at 45 Western Ave. in South Portland.

Launched as a beverage stand, Tropical Smoothie opened its first franchise in Tallahassee, Fla. in 1997, adding “Café” to its name and expanding to a “wide rage of healthy food options” two years later. The company now boasts more than 340 locations in 38 states.

Local franchise owners Mike and Crystal Turpin, of Rochester, N.H., discovered the chain while living in Virginia, at a time when it was opening a new location every six to seven days. After selling their fire-protection business, they decided to bring their new favorite brand north, opening the company’s first New Hampshire site in May 2011.

“Our motto is eat better, feel better,” said Mike Turpin, adding that, “Maine is really where we’re going. The market is really good and the rent structure is half what it is in New Hampshire. It’s kind of cool to bring something brand-new to the area.”

The Maine store also has a drive-through.

“It’s not fast food,” said Turpin. “It’s good food, fast.”

The Turpins hired 20 workers, and expect to bump up to 30 or so this summer. Following a “soft opening” Dec. 19, an official grand opening celebration at the 60-seat café is set for Saturday, Jan. 12.

The menu is similar to Panera Bread, Turpin says, but it’s the real-fruit smoothies that are the chain’s claim to fame.

“After all,” said Turpin, “ it’s right there in our name.”

Among other grand opening deals, customers will have a chance to win “free smoothies for a year,” said Turpin.