Joliet's 1st Robeks Juice Opens On Caton Farm Road

JOLIET, IL — The empty Caton Farm Road storefront that once was a Blockbuster Video has become a Robeks Fresh Juices & Smoothies. On Wednesday morning, franchise owner Angela Townsend opened Joliet's first Robeks.

This marks the second juice bar location for Robeks in Illinois. The other is in Naperville near the AMC movie theaters, Townsend said.

Townsend told Joliet Patch she is excited to bring Robeks to the Joliet and Plainfield area.

She's now open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Robeks is at 4704 Caton Farm Road, which is right next to the Jersey Mike's Subs. Although Robeks has a Plainfield mailing address, it's actually in Joliet.

Joliet Patch interviewed Townsend around lunch, inquiring about her first day of business.

"Fantastic," Townsend remarked. "This is great. People are definitely receptive to trying something that is new and healthy. We don't use syrups or chemicals, no preservatives."

Robeks is known for its fresh juices and fruit bowls. "It's like a smoothie you use with a spoon," Townsend explained.

Townsend said she has lived in the Joliet and Plainfield area the past 16 years.

As for filling the longstanding Blockbuster Video vacancy,"this is just a phenomenal spot," she said.

If you visit the new Joliet Robeks, you will notice the giant hummingbird on the wall. That's Harmony the Hummingbird, who happens to be the Robeks' mascot, Townsend said.

"They are quick, colorful and only eat healthy," Townsend said, referring to hummingbirds.

Robeks offers 10 classic smoothies, four superfood smoothies, three Acai smoothies, five performance smoothies, three low-calorie smoothies and four wellness smoothies.
The five fruit bowls include: Acai Strawnana Berry, Acai Tropical Mango, Nutty Acai, Green Bliss and Acai Especial.

There's also toasted meals such as the Classic Avocado on a thick slice of sourdough toast and the Everything Avocado with a blend of tomatoes and avocado. "These are a phenomenal seller," Townsend added.

Fresh juices include: Evergreen, G-Snap, ABC (apple, beet and carrot), Root To Stem, and Cool Cucumber.

For Wednesday's grand opening, Steve Stock, the regional multi-state manager for Robeks, was also busy behind the counter helping Joliet's first Robeks get started on the right foot. Stock oversees Robeks' in several states including Illinois, Connecticut, Florida, Missouri and California.

The Robeks franchise was founded in 1996 in California. There are now 87 open stores, with plans to open another 15, according to Stock, who grew up in New Lenox.

Townsend told Patch she wants her new Robeks in Joliet to remain a fixture along Caton Farm Road near Route 59 for many years to come.

"We're not going anywhere," she vowed.

To learn more about the new Joliet juice bar, visit the website for Robeks.