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19 | W aterloo C hronicle | T hursday,January 17,2019 w aterloochronicle.ca Start planning your dream vacation with hand-picked travel deals and inspiration just for Canadians Visit James Barnett recalls opening his first Freshii in Waterloo at the corner of King Street and Univer- sity Avenue about three- and-a-half years ago. On Monday, Jan. 14, he'll open his fourth loca- tion at 110 King St. S. - for- merly the Gospel Light- house bookstore - in Up- Town Waterloo. It will be the sixth Freshii to open in Waterloo Region. With the trajectory of the uptown core, the deci- sion was a no-brainer, Barnett said. "The idea is we'll keep opening where there's de- mand. Our mission is to provide healthy, fast, con- venient food, so we'll go where people need it es- sentially," he said. "I think demand here is just going to increase over the next couple of years, and now with the LRT coming in and all the roadwork being done, it was the time to get in be- fore it's too late." Not only is the interior inside the 2,000-square- foot location unique and different from the others, the uptown spot will also feature a partnership with Kitchener-based Smile Tiger Coffee Roast- ers. "We're very aligned both in our brands and vibe, and we have a great breakfast at Freshii," Bar- nett explained. "For breakfast, for a lot of peo- ple, coffee is most impor- tant, and eating is the sec- ond part of it, so to me it's a no-brainer to have a pre- mium coffee and a great breakfast together." Matt Dickson, a real es- tate sales rep with Coupal Markou Commercial Real Estate Inc., said invest- ments in the uptown are finally starting to pay div- idends. "Freshii and Smile Ti- ger Coffee's opening is very exciting for the Up- Town Waterloo core," Dickson said. "It's another great co-branded restau- rant occupying a revital- ized building." The co-branding/habi- tation trend is a great use of space and is becoming more prevalent in the core areas, Dickson says. "Everyday we see more and more walking traffic, this for us is the ultimate litmus test on the uptown scorecard. I look forward to spring when we see these businesses start to take advantage of our wid- ened sidewalk areas for outdoor seating and al fresco eating." Freshii was founded in 2005 by former New York City fashion designer Mat- thew Corrin who was in- spired by mom-and-pop delis with fresh food but lacklustre branding and service. His concept has been expanded to hundreds of locations worldwide. "We're everything you need to be essentially," Barnett said. "We do qui- noa bowls, we do rice bowls, we do burritos, we do smoothies, juices, wraps, salads, soups - so pretty much it hits every point of what it is to eat fresh." The new location even has a fresh-looking fa- çade, with a glass garage door that will open up in warmer months to a patio along the LRT line. Barnett also said he's planning to bring speak- ers in on Sundays with a focus on nutrition and healthy eating. A grand opening will be announced in the weeks ahead. RESTAURANTS FRESHII OPENS SIXTH WATERLOO REGION LOCATION IN UPTOWN NEWBIZ LEARN ABOUT NEW BUSINESSES IN YOUR COMMUNITY. WATERLOOCHRONICLE.CA Freshii Hours: Monday to Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sundays 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Phone: 226-215-3148 Website: www.freshii.com The new Freshii set to open at 110 King St. S. Bill Jackson/Metroland BILL JACKSON bjackson@kitchenerpost.ca GROWTH DRIVING DEMAND FOR HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS