If you’re looking for a morning energy drink, an afternoon pick-me-up or a fruity dessert, a stop into Miami Lakes’ newest establishment, ACAI EXPRESS, may just be what you need.
[From The Miami Laker, by Alexandra Herrera, Reporter]
In the photo: The ribbon cutting ceremony at ACAI EXPRESS on Main Street in Miami Lakes on Feb. 22. From left, Wanda Sanguily. whose daughters opened the shop; Miami Lakes Economic Development Committee Chair Andrea Graham Rechichi; Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid; Councilman Tony Fernandez; Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce President Fred Senra; Councilman Joshua Dieguez; restaurant co-owners Cristina Sanguily and Dayanna Sanguily and their father Danny Sanguily and Chamber member Tico Casamayor. Photo by Alexandra Herrera.
ACAI EXPRESS is the latest restaurant to open downtown. It’s nestled at the east end of Main Street at Bull Run Road. The corner shop has a vibrant interior and for those who want to use their laptops, there are outlets at counters that offer views of the street scene.
The new franchise is a short stroll from the Miami Lakes Athletic Club. It is owned by lifelong Miami Lakers Cristina Sanguily, 33, and her sister Dayanna Sanguily, 23. “There’s a reason we invested here,” Cristina Sanguily said. Opening the business felt like coming full circle for Christina Sanguily, after growing up in town, visiting Main Street often and with this venture, joining the town’s business community.
During the store’s ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 22, Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid celebrated the sisters’ faith in the health of local commerce. “It’s really phenomenal to see these young entrepreneurs investing here in our community,” Cid told the crowd. The Main Street location is the newest in a chain that originated in Puerto Rico and has restaurants in Cocoa Beach, Fla.; Florence, S.C.; Rockaway, N.J. and Concord, N.C.
ACAI EXPRESS will offer acai bowls, dragon fruit bowls and coconut bowls that start with fruit puree and add-ons such as granola and fresh fruit, seeds and nut butters, among other treats. “[It’s] a huge emphasis on fruit bowls, and we’re also going to have fresh juices,” Cristina Sanguily said.
The acai palm tree is native to Central and South America and produces a purple fruit. Studies have found a juice blend with acai as the main ingredient has been shown to have an antioxidant effect, which may protect cells against certain types of damage, The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says on its website.
The restaurant also serves avocado toast and smoked salmon toast. The owners say they plan to have fun with their offerings. “We’ll have a couple of paletas (popsicles), but they’ll be healthy, and fruit based, well some of them. And there will be Nutella,” Cristina Sanguily said about the hazelnut cocoa spread that is served on toast. The classic peanut butter and banana combo is also on the menu, with cocoa nibs on brioche toast.
Cristina Sanguily said she was inspired to open the franchise because she had to travel to downtown Miami when she felt a craving for fruit drinks and bowls. “[I] really wanted to bring something like that to the community,” Cristina Sanguily said. She is also excited to see her neighbors and make new friends.
ACAI EXPRESS at 6855 Main St. is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Follow ACAI EXPRESS on Instagram at AcaiExpressMiami.
