South Block Smoothie Shop Aims To Create A Healthier Fairfax City

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Representatives from the Fairfax City business community hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday morning to welcome the new South Block to Fair City Mall. The shop specializes in making healthy smoothies, acai bowls and juices.

“Everything on your menu is great,” said Mayor Catherine Read, who was eyeing a Pink Monkey smoothie on South Block's menu before the ceremony. “I love the fact that we are supporting a local business owner. I'm pleased that we have such a unique business here in Fair City Mall.”

Chris Bruno, CEO and director of Fairfax City Economic Development, and Jennifer Rose of the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce joined Read in welcoming owner Amir Mostafavi to the south side of Fair City Mall.

In 2011, Mostafavi launched the first South Block location in Clarendon with the goal of building healthier communities one block at a time.

“I didn't want it to be about our product,” he said. “We have what I think are the best smoothies and acai bowls and juices. But really, our mission to help make people feel awesome one block at a time through the care we take in our people, our people development, our guests, the guest experience, and making sure we're doing our part to Be involved with the communities that we’re a part of and try to add value to those communities.”

An example of this commitment to community is that they way South Block is honoring the memory of Woodson High School students Cory Haynos and Eddie Zhou, who were killed in the Jan. 29 collision of an American Airlines passenger flight and a UH-60 Black Hawk near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington. The boys’ parents — Stephanie and Roger Haynos and Yu Zhou and Kaiyan Mao — were also killed in the collision.

“My daughters go to Woodson and a lot of people in our community were affected by that tragedy,” said Mostafavi, whose family lives in the nearby Wakefield Forest neighborhood. “We want to dedicate today's ribbon cutting to their honor, and we're also donating all of our proceeds from today to their Go Fund Me. I'm also matching dollar for dollar everything South Block is doing.”

A GoFundMe campaign was launched to raise money for Cory Haynos’ sister, a 19-year-old nursing student, to help her complete her education. Both of the Haynos children were members of the Virginia Ice Theatre. As of 12:30 p.m. on Friday, the campaign has received more than 1,200 donations, raising $92,584 toward its $150,000 goal.

A GoFundMe Campaign was also launched to raise money for the extended Zhou family, including Eddie's aging grandparents. As of 12:30 p.m. on Friday, the campaign has raised $29,002 toward its $50,000 goal.

“Coming together, being the bright spot in somebody's day. That’s the best part, I think, of this brand. You come here to just feel a little lighter,” said Alexandra Lawrence, South Block’s marketing director and a Woodson High School alumnus.

Although Friday was South Block’s ribbon cutting ceremony, the Fair City Mall location at 9672 Main St. has been open since Jan. 18. The smoothie shop hosted a block party to mark the occasion.