Restaurant news: Tebow-backed Clean Juice announces grand opening for Gainesville location

University of Florida great and 2007 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow was back in Gainesville last week ahead of the grand opening of his latest venture: a new health-centric eatery in the Butler Town Center.

Tebow, along with members of the Greater Gainesville Chamber, state Sen. Keith Perry, Butler Enterprises President Deborah Butler and others, cut the ribbon on his second Clean Juice location, which will officially open its doors at 8 a.m. on Saturday.

The eatery at 2851 SW 35th Drive, Suite 20, is just steps away from popular restaurants P.F Changs and The Cheesecake Factory.

Tebow, who also serves as the national brand ambassador for Clean Juice, said in a March news release when the eatery was announced that he relates to the company's commitment to promoting healthy bodies and strong spirits.

“Gainesville means so much to me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to help bring new, healthy options to a place where I have been blessed to have so many awesome experiences with so many awesome people,” he said.

The former first round NFL draft pick opened his first store last year in his hometown of Jacksonville, and has partnered with 2005 UF graduate Ricky Caplin on the Gainesville location.

Founded in 2015, Clean Juice now has more than 200 locations across the U.S. and is billed as the first and only USDA-certified organic juice and food bar franchise. Its menu features a variety of options, including, smoothies, acai bowls, sandwiches, salads and wraps.

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Its signature cold-pressed juices sell for $8.99, and include the Green, which is made with cucumber, celery, fennel, spinach, lemon and ginger, and the Orange, which contains carrot, orange, pineapple, lemon and turmeric, along with several others.

Crumbl Cookies

Just a few minutes west of Clean Juice, a grand opening celebration was held Dec. 1 for the highly anticipated Crumbl Cookies in Butler Plaza.

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The bakery's location at 3230 SW 35th Blvd. creates a mini-mecca for desserts in Gainesville, with Nothing Bundt Cakes and Jeremiah's Italian Ice right next door.

Utah-based Crumbl Cookies has exploded in popularity since first being introduced by cousins Jason McGown and Sawyer Hemsley in 2017. The bakery has more than 60 locations currently in operation in Florida, primarily along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, and in the Orlando area.

Customers will have to visit often to get a taste of the sweet shop's rotating menu of more than 200 flavors, which are inspired by cakes, candies and other desserts.

The Gainesville location's current offerings include Milk Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Crumb Cake, Gingerbread Cake, Chocolate Raspberry Truffle, Caramel Shortbread and Lemon Poppy Seed.

Cookies come in the company's signature pink box and can be ordered in increments of one ($4.50), four ($14.63), six ($22.50) and 12 ($38.25).

Crumbl Cookies is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to midnight.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Clean Juice and Crumbl Cookies open in Butler Plaza in Gainesville