NEW HOPE, PA — A Bucks County lawyer and his business partners are working to bring a popular New England handcrafted protein shake and smoothie bar to New Hope.
This week, TJ Walsh attended the New Hope Borough Council meeting in preparation for his upcoming appearance before the town’s zoning hearing board early next month.
Walsh will be seeking a special exception from the zoning Noah to bring The Fresh Monkee to the York Place shopping center on West Bridge Street.
Find out what's happening in New Hope-Lambertvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Walsh told council he is under an agreement of sale for a condominium at the center now occupied by New Hope Photo.
“(New Hope Photo owners) Ted and Melody Nichols (have been wonderful to work with. Ted is transitioning to a home-based office. I think he’s earned it. He’s been doing this for 40 years,” said Walsh.
Click Here: Arsenal soccer tracksuit
Find out what's happening in New Hope-Lambertvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In looking for words to describe the proposed healthy drink bar, Walsh compared it to Smoothie King, but quickly added, “I don’t even think that’s fair to this brand. This is a very uniquely healthy product. It’s very low sugar. It’s protein based.”
Walsh said he was introduced to the brand during a trip to Connecticut where the company has seven locations. “I was blown away with how good it was. We’re really excited to be the first store in Bucks County.”
According to its website, “(The Fresh Monkee) is here to revolutionize the way people perceive and enjoy healthy shakes, by offering a genuine, unpretentious food that is delicious, fun, and caters to every taste and lifestyle.”
Among its most popular offerings are its Antioxidant Berry (water, splash of pom juice, splash of orange juice, splash of milk, vanilla protein, spinach, mixed berries), Chunkee Monkee (milk, chocolate or vanilla protein, banana, natural peanut butter) and Cinnamon Toast Crunch (milk, vanilla protein, nutella, graham cracker, banana, cinnamon).
Click here to view the Fresh Monkee’s full menu offerings.
The company currently has 10 locations in New England, including seven in Connecticut, two in Rhode Island, and one in Massachuetts, with plans to go nationally.
In order to bring the new business to New Hope, Walsh and his partners will need to secure a special exception from the zoning hearing board to allow for a formula restaurant in the zoning district.
After listening to his presentation, the borough council voted unanimously not to oppose the requested exception.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.