Fresh Planet Opens in Avon's City Centre

It’s “a better way to eat.”

After slightly altering its name, Fresh Planet is open and ready to serve. Similar to its sister “Liquid Planet” sites in Crocker Park, Cleveland and Cleveland Heights, the Avon location in City Centre, which officially opened April 27, will focus on fresh foods and healthy drinks.

Mick Cochran, the chain’s founder, said all locations will change names to Fresh Planet by year’s end. The focus on taking fresh eating mainstream will remain the same.

“We’ll be staying true to goal of being healthy,” Cochran said. “Eat right, feel right has been our catchphrase for a few years. Now it’s ‘a better way to eat.’”

The concept is taking off. Liquid Planet on W. 110 and Clifton is celebrating 10 years in business, a Ft. Myers location is open and Cochran plans on opening a Tampa location by the end of 2012.

A look at the restaurant’s menu, including favorite items, indicates a focus on fresh made salads, signature rice bowls and smoothies. Plenty of vegetarian items are on the menu including vegetarian black bean and peanut Thai rice bowls and vegetarian pitas.

Meat eaters are well represented with chicken, ham & cheese and roast beef pitas and a number of chicken rice bowls. A number of pizza items are also offered.

Patti Johnson, the manager of the Avon location, said Every thing is fresh cut daily. “We sell organic apple juice and fresh squeezed wheat grass juice, carrot and orange juice. We serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and our oatmeal smoothies are huge.”

The restaurant also uses whole wheat pitas and serves only brown rice.

“And we don’t use preservatives,” she added.

City Centre is located on the south side of Detroit Road, across from the Avon Commons.