It’s been awhile since we had a good morning mystery — a story we uncovered that leads to more questions than answers. Such is the case with Nautical Bowls and their apparent plans for two Loudoun County locations.
As regular readers of The Burn know, the health bowl trend is red hot right now. Bowls filled with acai and other fresh fruits, along with grains, yogurts, and other ingredients providing a filling meal or snack. Smoothies and fresh juices are often on the menus as well.
South Block is one of the most recent entries in the local market specializing in bowls. The brand is based here in the greater DC market and recently opened its first Loudoun County location at One Loudoun.
Robeks, the juice and smoothie chain, also has multiple locations around Loudoun and features bowls on its menu as well. It recently opened its fourth Loudoun location in Leesburg.
Now, comes word that Nautical Bowls may also be exploring here. The Minnesota-based brand has more than 30 locations open with many more in the works, according to its website.
That same website lists two locations in the works for Loudoun County. But this is where the mystery starts.
One of the locations listed is 20365 Exchange Street in Ashburn. That’s part of One Loudoun and just a block away from the band new South Block. It would be odd for a center to put two similar concepts so close together — and indeed, we asked One Loudoun execs about it and they said that listing was not correct and they are not in talks with Nautical Bowls.
The other location listed is 101 Crosstrail Boulevard SE in Leesburg. That would be part of the Village at Leesburg lifestyle center. But that specific address is the address for Wegmans. It seems unlikely that Wegmans would partner with Nautical Bowls. Wegmans is huge. If they want to offer acai bowls, they would likely do it on their own.
Two weeks ago, The Burn reached out to Nautical Bowls for clarification on their local plans, but we have not received a response. It’s possible they have a franchisee in the area and they used those addresses just as “placeholders.” But until someone provides more details, we have a mystery on our hands.
(Image at top: Nautical Bowls)