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Fresh Healthy Cafe franchise seeks to open in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood

By James Cullum
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A cafe serving smoothies, paninis, fresh juices and bowls has submitted a request to open in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood.

If approved, franchise owner Vijay Balusu’s Fresh Healthy Cafe special use permit request would transform the former home of a Starbucks at 2040 Jamieson Avenue into a cafe with 12 indoor seats and four outdoor seats.

There are 15 Fresh Healthy Cafes across the U.S. and in Canada, and this would be the first location in Virginia. Another Fresh Healthy Cafe is planning to open in northwest D.C. Fresh Healthy Cafe was founded in 2001 in Toronto, Canada.

The cafe’s menu includes a range of protein bowls, wraps, paninis, smoothies, juices and more. The 1,100-square-foot restaurant’s proposed hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The last day for public comments on the project is July 9.

Storefront location image via Google Maps

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.