Rep. Haas Honors Essential Smoothies Café for January Local Business Spotlight

KANKAKEE - For her January Local Business Spotlight, State Representative Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) recognizes Essential Smoothies Café in Kankakee. Rep. Haas toured the restaurant and presented the owner with a certificate of appreciation for her dedication to the community.

"For this month's Local Business Spotlight, I am honored to recognize Essential Smoothies Café for their mission to make wellness more accessible in downtown Kankakee," said Rep. Haas. "Essential Smoothies Café is a great local spot that promotes wellness and health in our area. They serve vegan food, boba tea, wellness shots, and more."

Owner Denise Smith opened Essential Smoothies Café in July 2021. Her vision was to create a space for local residents that is healthy, welcoming, and fun. She also prioritizes offering a health-focused space in Kankakee that remains accessible to the community. Essential Smoothies Café is notably the only whole-fruit vegan cafe in Kankakee County, and they make most items in-house.

Rep. Haas concluded, "I also want to highlight Essential Smoothies Café's efforts to go above and beyond for customers. When a healthy alternative isn't available, the staff at Essential Smoothies will work hard to get it for their customers. They are also great about food sensitivities and allergies, with 99% of their food being gluten-free. Denise has made it her mission to meet her customers' needs, and that absolutely deserves to be celebrated!"

Essential Smoothies Café is located at 150 N. Schuyler Avenue in Kankakee. They are open Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 8 PM and on Sundays from 12 PM to 6 PM.

For more information, visit their website at EssentialSmoothiesCafeIL.com.

For more information about Representative Haas, visit RepHaas.com.

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