The smoothie of the future is here
Smoothies crafted by robots may be the most 1994 meets 2024 thing ever.
And it’s coming to Escondido.
Tucked inside the LA Fitness at 362 W. El Norte Parkway, a robotic smoothie kiosk is opening Friday. It’s open to everyone, not just gym .
Smoothies will start at around $8 to $10.
The other details are a little head spinning but worth spelling out. The kiosk is by Blendid, a Silicon Valley startup that makes “less food automation platforms.” Another way to put it: These are machines that make customized blended drinks using robotics, machine learning and AI.
Got that? Next: The smoothies are by Thor’s Skyr, a super high-protein Icelandic-style yogurt.
The robots “will serve our new lactose-free formula skyr blended smoothies,” said Unnar Beck Danielsson, the CEO and a co-founder of Thor’s Skyr in a news release.
Another Thor’s Skyr co-founder, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, will be in Escondido Friday — via livestream — to celebrate the opening.
If that name, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, rings a bell, that’s because Björnsson isn’t just a yogurt entrepreneur. He was also an actor on “Game of Thrones,” playing Ser Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane for several seasons.
Kebab restaurant says goodbye
If biting into one of Ocean Beach Kabob’s succulent wraps has been on your bucket list, hop to it. The restaurant’s last day is Feb. 1, the company announced on social media Wednesday.
Since 2013, the family owned and operated OB Kabob, as it was also called, has sold mezze, hot and juicy sandwiches and more at 4994 Newport Avenue, in the center of Ocean Beach’s commercial district.
In an Instagram post, the co-owners wrote that they are expecting a fourth child and focusing on a new restaurant in Chula Vista.
Another farewell post said the restaurant is closing “with great sadness” and thanks its customers for years of smiles.
Where luxury meets Mid-Century Modern
La Jolla is now home to Rove Concepts, a high-end furniture seller that was founded in 2011 in Vancouver, Canada, initially as an e-commerce, direct-to-consumer brand. Since then it has expanded to the brick-and-mortar realm.
The showroom is on Girard Avenue just north of North Torrey Pines Road, on a block full of design, rug and furniture stores. This is one of only four Rove Concept stores in the U.S. The closest two are in and around Los Angeles, and another is in Miami.
On the website, the kind-dried hardwood frame Reya Curved Sectional is priced at $4,999, or $3,499 for .
“Rove Concepts was conceived through inspiration from my grandfather’s ion for furniture design. I took an idea and adapted it to a modern e-commerce business model,” Art Lee, the company’s CEO and founder, wrote on his LinkedIn profile.
The company is offering a deal on its annual hip: For $200, customers get 30 percent discounts, a voucher on purchases and special sales.
are also invited to a grand opening next week, with “exclusive first looks at their handcrafted furniture, complimentary design consultations, refreshments, exciting giveaways, and special discounts,” a public relations representative for the store wrote in an email.
One-day gas sale, again
Circle K is at it again. The Canadian-owned, Arizona-headquartered gas station and
convenience store chain is discounting its gas and car washes Thursday afternoon.
Gas will be 40 cents off per gallon between 4 and 7 p.m. and car washes will be half-off all day at participating locations in San Diego and beyond.
“Circle K is chasing away the January blues with exclusive discounts throughout the West Coast to give customers a chance to bounce back from holiday,” it said in a news release.
Do you know any stores or eateries that are opening or closing? Do you have a tip about San Diego shopping deals or news? Send me the scoop: [email protected]
