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Self-proclaimed "smoothie guy" Chris Griffin stopped several times a week to get his drink fix during a long commute from Oro Valley to his corporate job on Tucson's South Side. Then, one fateful day in 2005, he passed bulldozers grading a plot of land for a new shopping center on North Oracle Road. He had a vision and thought, "This would be a phenomenal location for a smoothie establishment."

Griffin, 35, co-owns the new Robeks Juice with his friend and business partner Christopher Nelson, 39. They opened the store on April 7 in the Oracle Crossings Shopping Center on North Oracle Road between West Ina and West Magee roads.

The franchise offers a line of products that fit the owners' lifestyles.

"We're both very active and health-conscious," said Griffin. Nelson works full time for a consulting company and currently is in Japan on business.

The partners chose the franchise after Griffin visited a Robeks Juice in Phoenix. "It's a premium product," Griffin said. "It represents my life — active, healthy and fun."

Customers Jason Turetzky, 35, and Christy Yetka, 33, seemed pleased with their smoothies. "I like it because it's low in fat," said Turetzky. "It's a nice alternative to Eegee's." The two work together across the street from the store.

"The protein and energy additives make Robeks a healthy alternative for lunch," said Yetka. Customers can add one nutritional supplement, such as fiber, vitamins or protein, to a smoothie for free.

The store is the second franchise for the partners. Eager to open it and unwilling to wait a few years for the prime location to be built, Griffin and Nelson opened the first Robeks franchise in Tucson in March 2006. They opened a kiosk, which is still open, in the food court at Foothills Mall. It was a new idea for the franchise at that time.

Debbie Crawford, 52, went into the store recently after an hour and a half of hot yoga. "I like juice better. I hate salad," said Crawford. "This is light juice with protein powder and is replacing a meal for today."

Crawford said the liquid meal energizes her and replaces potassium she loses during exercise.

The store has eight employees, mostly high school students. "I have a big staff but it's an investment in customer service," said Griffin. He lights up when he talks about his employees. "One of the biggest unanticipated genuine joys opening this is having a chance to work with kids."

The store will have its grand opening from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The event features free smoothie samples, a free raffle for a Robeks gift basket, and the grand prize, a $200 Robeks gift card.