Kalamazoo: Former MOD Pizza Being Replaced By Smoothie Chain Location

It's always sad to see one place go but most of the time it means that something new is coming in. This has been the way the world has worked for centuries but ever so more in the last decade as inflation, COVid-19, and other varying factors have caused many more places to close but has also fueled many more dreams. Seeing a business close means saying goodbye to some favorites but it also means a chance for new favorites.

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Michigan has been hit by the many chain restaurant and other businesses closures largely as those companies continue to struggle and look to save or improve on profits. We have seen many different restaurants close because the lease for their building has been sold to another owner, their store is underperforming, or the entire chain has been shut down due to bankruptcy.

Kalamazoo itself has seen our food industry landscape change over the last couple of years. We have seen multiple Mcdonald's locations, Burger King, all of the KFC locations, and more shutter doors in the city. Unfortunately, the closure bug is not done with Kalamazoo either as we had another place close it's doors.

New Smoothie Chain Moving Into Kalamazoo Replacing Former MOD Pizza Location

MOD Pizza on Drake Rd was a direct competitor to Blaze Pizza which conveniently is also located on Drake Rd. They are smaller personal sized pizzas that are customizable with a selection of crusts, sauces, cheeses, meats, and other toppings.  They are then wood fire grilled/baked/cooked or whatever the word is until perfection.

Now, Blaze Pizza stands alone as MOD has shut down their Kalamazoo location and they won't be coming back as their space has already been filled. It's almost as if the landlord had someone waiting in the wings for this spot to open because it didn't take long.

Kalamazoo will be getting its first Playa Bowls location but will be the 10th location in Michigan overall. They also have locations in the following cities:

• Ann Arbor
• Bloomfield Hills
• East Lansing
• Grand Rapids
• Northville
• Novi
• Rochester Hills
• Shelby Township
• Traverse City
• Troy

The New Jersey based chain is known for their smoothies, juices and blended acai bowls topped with granola and fresh fruit. A 16oz. smoothie starts at $7.99 while basic acai bowl topped with granola and banana starts at $11, while a coconut bowl topped with Nutella and fresh fruit runs $13.

They haven't announced an exact date but the Facebook post they shared that you can see below says they will be opening in just a few weeks.