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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - Tropical Smoothie Café

May 2013

Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Tropical Smoothie Café in the Walmart Plaza, 1671-1A N. Howe Street, Southport.

Tropical Smoothie Café is known nationwide for its unparalleled hospitality and original, healthy, fresh food and beverages. Tropical Smoothie Café recently received Nation's Restaurant News 2010 MenuMaster Award for Best Menu Revamp. It is ranked #181 in Entrepreneur Magazine's 2010 Franchise 500, #142 in America’s Top Global Franchises and ranked in the Top 50 Franchises for Veterans, as seen in USA Today, Franchise Today (April 2010). Open for Breakfast, lunch & dinner seven days a week with catering options for any size group.

Owners John Kablik and Lori Giezelman their fire protection business in New Hampshire in October 2010 but continued working for the company. Lori relocated to Southport in October 2011 & John joined her full-time in June 2012 when all of his work contracts ended. After taking the summer off, John started a new job back in the fire protection business and soon after realized he needed to be his own boss again. Their friends in NH opened their first Tropical Smoothie Café in May 2011 and their second in December 2012. John & Loir both loved the brand and the concept and decided to move forward with a franchise store here in Southport. "Being part of the community we live in is tremendously important to us both and this community has welcomed both us and Tropical Smoothie Café with open arms" said Lori Gizelman. "Our staff is great and business has been fantastic since we opened our doors. A huge thanks to the people of Southport and other the local communities!" said John Kablik.

Pictured Left To Right:
Megan Canny, Chamber's Event Coordinator
James Maitland
Brooke Beasley
Jackie Cooper, Chamber Ambassador
Jim Martin, Chamber Ambassador
Finley Jones
Lori Giezelman, Owner
John Kablik, Owner
Honey Martin, Chamber Ambassador holding Baylor Jones
Miguel Rangel
Arin Anderson
Jordan Anderson
Lesley Bennett
Ciera Sexton