New Owner Of Greenstraw Has Big Plans For Newtown Business

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Newtown resident Dhruv Patel, who officially took over the ownership of Greenstraw last week, has ambitious plans for the North Sycamore Street business.

The longtime customer-turned-owner plans to expand the smoothie store into a plant-based vegan cafe with the goal of bringing more healthy vegetarian options not only to Newtown but to the entire East Coast.

“Bringing something like this to my hometown is very fulfilling. And for everything the community has given me for the last 20 years, to give something back like this is a treat,” he said.

Patel purchased Greenstraw from Kelly Anne Troy who founded the business as Greenstraw Smoothies 11 years ago. After making settlement, Troy stayed on for two weeks to acquaint Patel with the business operations. Her final day was December 13.

“When I heard they were selling I jumped at the opportunity because to have something like this in my hometown that aligns with the lifestyle I’m trying to live is a dream come true," said Patel.

Patel moved to Newtown when he was in the third grade. He attended Council Rock schools and is a graduate of North. He worked for Pfizer for five years before taking two years off to help build a landmark Hindu temple - BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham - in Robbinsville, N.J.

Patel said it was during his senior year at Council Rock when he started thinking about owning his own business. Back then his dream was to open a coffee shop and wait on customers all day.

“For this to happen before I turned 30, I can’t tell you how happy I am,” said Patel.

Patel was drawn to Greenstraw by the quality and freshness of its products. Its menu includes 15 to 20 different smoothies, organic cold press juices, açaí and playa bowls, oatmeal, three different plant-based sandwiches, soups, and more.

“It’s as natural and as organic as it gets with zero added sugars. It’s all just fruits,” he said. “Kelly did a great job,” he said of the former owner.

Patel’s go-to menu item is a playa bowl with dragon fruit topped with strawberries, kiwi, and pineapple. “I like all the tropical fruits,” he said.

Patel’s short-term plans for the store include adding specialty coffees to the menu, "veganizing" the current menu, and introducing some hot items, including wraps, small sandwiches, and maybe even a burger.

By the New Year, Patel said he’s hoping to rebrand Greenstraw as Newtown’s first plant-based vegan cafe.

“It’s going to be unique in Newtown,” said Patel of his envisioned cafe. “I haven’t seen anything like this and I’m really excited to be one of the first to try.”

For regulars, Patel said the store will continue to sell its popular smoothies and playa bowls. “Those are go-to items. Even if we consolidate the menu, those will always stay.

“What the regulars like the regulars will get,” assures Patel. “They are the pride and joy of Greenstraw. Our business is here because of their constant support. And definitely, any changes that I have been trying to make I ask them directly what they think. Any big changes, I’m
always keeping the customers in mind and consulting with them first.

“Ideally, my hope is when someone walks in they won’t just come in and order a beverage," he said. "I want this to become a nice sit-down place where people can grab a quick bite and have a nice meal that’s a healthy, vegan alternative to a fast food place.”

And at a reasonable cost, adds Patel.

“Our goal is that all of our smoothies and bowls are locally sourced and organic but even for the sandwiches, the bread that we use, and the proteins that we use we try and source locally and
organically as possible,” said Patel.

His vision doesn’t end with Newtown. His longer-term goal will be to create a new brand that may one day expand to multiple locations but retain its mom-and-pop store feeling and identity.

“If I could provide a healthy opportunity to everyone possible, that would be something I would do in a second. And to start this in Newtown where I grew up is very fulfilling,” said Patel.