Not long ago, I met up with Mari and Jeannie at a little cafe on Davis Road for lunch. We had sandwiches and desserts, and I tried a smoothie.
"It's all right," I told my friends, "but next time I want a smoothie, it'll be R. Gabriel's. Best smoothies in the CSRA."
It's true. I have never found anything to match the smoothies at R. Gabriel's. Not too runny, not too thick, great flavors...I can hardly think about them without wanting one.
Little did I know the next time I wanted a smoothie I would look in the window expecting the cheerful coffeehouse ambiance I've grown to love and instead see...racks of clothes.
What?
It's been awhile since that perplexing day. I kept meaning to call them and find out what happened, but I kept forgetting. Today I got a smoothie at Sonic, and...well, it's just not an R. Gabriel's smoothie :/ But having it with me at least reminded me to make the call today when I got to work.
"Your call cannot be completed at this time," said an odd recording, which told me nothing. Their website still exists, too, with no mention of a closure or move.
Finally I decided to email the guy who does the business segment on our morning show, and he confirmed my fears: R. Gabriel's was forced to shut down due to the ridiculous construction on Davis Road. He doesn't know if the other two locations are still open, but the main one is gone. Not moved...just gone.
Life just isn't fair ;_;
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16 comments:
It always sucks when a favorite business shuts down. Good luck finding another smoothie supplier!
I wasn't that impressed with the place. That one time you and I went there together, I had a chai tea, and it was the same chai tea I could have made (yes, all I got was hot water, a tea bag, an insulated paper cup, and a point to where the milk and sugar was kept) at home. If I get stuff like that out somewhere, I want it to be amazing, something I can only DREAM of whipping up on my own.
I must say, as opposed as I can be to Starbuck's "let's mow down the small man competition," I think their chai is probably my favorite to have when I'm out and about. Mmm, it'll be October when I'm there, and the Pumpkin Spice Latte should be available.. Mmmmmm... :)
I'm told the Orange Julius at Dairy Queen is good...I'm going to try it. We'll have to see.
But R. Gabriel's totally spoiled me ;_; Plus I always thought it was cool to support local business...and they had free wifi...
Yeah, tea was probably an afterthought there. They focused on coffee. I think they had their own blends. Of course, I don't drink coffee, so I couldn't tell you if they were any good.
All I know is, I am going to sorely miss their smoothies. Which you couldn't drink due to the bananas, so I think you're just being bitter. Stop dissing my favorite place! ;>
Hahaha, yes, that's definitely it, I hated them because they made something I never thought to order from anywhere, anyway, because I can't drink them!! ;)
The place was cute enough inside, I guess, but it just wasn't as "special" to me as it was to you. Besides, R. Gabriel's was totally out of my usual "area," so if I wanted my chai, or the occasional latte, or what have you, I was downtown at Metro.
I DO remember there being a cute guy behind the counter at R. Gabriel's, though, THAT was probably my favorite thing about that visit..
Bleh...when we went, you were going to try a smoothie until you determined that they didn't use separate blenders for smoothies that didn't have bananas in them.
I guess I'm just annoyed that I posted about losing something important in my life, and then you're all, "eh, it's no big deal". Then again, I suppose I deserved that, given my recent, purposefully annoying comment on your blog. So I should just get over it I guess :>
Hahahaah, when did you leave a "purposefully annoying" comment on my blog?
No, I understand you liked the place a LOT, I didn't realize you liked it so much that you'd be so sensitive to an opinion that didn't quite mesh with yours, though. I'm sorry, and I do sincerely apologize.
And if it's any consolation to your hurt feelings, I went into Starbucks today, and asked for a "Pumpkin Spice Latte" and THEY DON'T EVEN DO THEM IN THE UK!! GAH!! So there, there's a "Neh neh, neh booboo!" moment for you. ;)
And yes, I do remember the thing about the blenders, now. OH well, I don't cherish the idea of an allergic reaction, expecially when an epi-pen might be involved! ;)
When I get there, we'll go get an Orange Julius, or even search out on our own, a NEW smoothie place that hopefully will be as good as you found R. Gabriel's.
By the way, I keep forgetting to ask: Where are the OTHER R. Gabriel's? Are they around town? If so, then are they close enough to go when you need a smoothie fix?
Ohhh, we'll have to see if Dunkin' Donuts has smoothies!! Cos they have good ol' AMERICAN DONUTS!! :D
Dunkin' Donuts? Gimme Krispy Kreme any day, man! You're right, though, I do think Dunkin' Donuts does frozen treats.
"I didn't realize you liked it so much that you'd be so sensitive to an opinion that didn't quite mesh with yours, though." Ouch! I deserved that too, I suppose ;)
Seriously, I'm fine with people not loving what I love, I just didn't feel like it was very nice to be picky about it in that context :>
The purposefully annoying comment was the one about dignity and pride and making fun of people's outfits.
I got your text about the Pumpkin Spice Latte this morning--I was on my way out of the bedroom with my clothes for the day in my arms, trying not to awaken Sean, when all of a sudden an Asian melody starts screaming forth from my phone. ;> (Don't worry, he didn't stir.)
Do lattes have coffee in them? They do, right? I'm such a n00b.
I went to Starbucks this morning and they had something on the menu next to the hot chocolate that sounded interesting, but I didn't try it. I think it was apple spice or something. I just need to make sure it doesn't have coffee in it :>
R. Gabriel's had a kiosk in the VA, and a place in Evans. I don't know if those places still exist, and I'd never been to them so I don't really even know where they are.
OH, haha, I didn't even REALIZE that was supposed to be "purposefully annoying." You'll have to read my reply, then. ;)
And I'll take Krispy Kreme, too, I'm NOT a picky donut girl. In fact, I PREFER Krispy Kreme, but I've been able to get those here, in London, and in Birmingham, and supposedly there's a Krispy Kreme opening in Leeds, if it isn't open already, and that's just a hop, skip and jump down the M1 from us. I'm sure I'll have Krispy Kreme while I'm there, I just want a Dunkin' Donut, too, seeing as that's the one I've not had the choice of having in MONTHS!!
Wow, I'm glad I didn't wake Sean up; I'm sure he would have reminded me of it when I see him, if I had. ;)
And as for a latte, "latte" is the --I think ITALIAN?-- word for "milk," so all it means, basically, is milk being added to a beverage; most of them are coffee based, yes, but you can get tea lattes, as well, like my "chai latte." If you're not sure, just ask the barista, they'll be able to tell you. I know what you mean about not drinking coffee, I avoid it, too, but I'll brave the rare caffeine consumption for a Pumpkin Spice Latte. ;)
In my case, I just hate the taste of coffee...I don't know why. I had a biology teacher tell me once that people who can't stand certain foods are having an averse chemical reaction to them in their mouths, or something.
Sometimes chocolate tastes like coffee, and I can't stand that either.
So yeah, not even sugar can save coffee for me. It's why I don't eat tiramisu. Alas.
...as for the comment being purposefully annoying, well, I figured when I wrote it that you would find it annoying, and I decided to post it anyway, so, that's how it was purposeful.
If you didn't find it annoying, then hey, you're a better woman than me! I was just sure that you were tired of me picking on you for your fashion snobbery by now ;>
Ahhh, I see, now. Nope, that doesn't bother me; it comes under the idea that we all have our own personal opinions on things, and I just happen to be more "actively critical" (is that a good way to put it?) than you are, about other people's clothing and fashion sense.
REALLY, it all comes down to the fact that EVERYONE should feel good enough about themselves to DRESS that way. If someone's wearing something that really makes them stand out for ridicule --and don't tell me even YOU haven't noticed one or two, before!!-- they could do better! I'm not saying they all have to wear Coach, or Prada, or DKNY, or anything like that, because I know clothes can be expensive (a person can shop at WalMart, and still look nice, well dressed, and presentable). However, people should dress as though they CARE about themselves; it's one of THE FIRST THINGS someone notices about another person, whether they're walking down the street, or meeting for a job interview.
Sometimes "less" is DEFINITELY less, and they NEED a bit more to make themselves look presentable. --Not to mention cover up or smooth over unsightly things, like muffin tops, and the like.. Like I've said, though, it's all merely my own opinion, and certainly no one MUST do as I say, or anything.
Trinny and Suzannah ARE my heroes, you know.. ;)
I think that because I have zero fashion sense, I live in silent terror that you are making fun of my outfits every time I see you ;> I just need to remember that you would probably say whatever you were thinking out loud, so maybe I'm safe?
Also: here's a webcomic!
You're safe as kittens, my Love. I DO reserve a soft spot in my heart for my closest of entourage..
Hahah, that's such self-aggrandizing bullcrap! ;)
Anyway, no, you don't dress like the people I see when I mention their outfits. And if you DID wear something I thought was "questionable," I'd mention it to you, definitely. So don't worry, I'd NEVER secretly think anything about your clothes that I wouldn't tell you personally. Don't worry, though, because you dress like a young, decent woman, not some someone trying to dress three or four sizes smaller than they should, or ten+ years younger. THOSE are the ones I target with the most abandon..
Speaking of kittens, I saw a black at at Riverwalk today, and thought of you, and Dhonn.
Awwwwww!! That's so touching. I still miss my little boy, I think I always will.
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