‘Columbia original’ opens alternative to sweet soft serve

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Surf’s Up Açaí Bowls has opened for business at 504 Gervais St. The eatery features a variety of açaí soft-serve bowls, made with organic açaí and juices, that its owners hope will lure consumers who fit the health-conscious profile: vegan, non-GMO, non-dairy, gluten- and cholesterol-free, and absent added sugar, colorants and artificial flavors.

“We really thought about the demographic of the community, not just in terms of numbers but in terms of people searching for quality products,” says co-owner J. Alton Croker III, who is also an assistant professor in the health services policy department of USC’s Arnold School of Public Health.

Croker says that he and his partner, Yucheng Guo, were certain that açaí bowl made with a soft-serve product would be a hit with Columbia’s ample student population as well as with people looking for a treat that has a good-for-you aura. For example, Croker and Guo chose monk fruit, a natural sugar alternative, as a sweetener.

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“The only sugar occurs naturally in the fruit,” Croker says, adding that “our recipe was developed in our own kitchen in Lexington. We are a true Columbia original.”

Surf’s Up Açaí Bowls is in the cluster of shops at the southeast corner of Gervais and Huger streets; it shares a parking lot in the back, accessible via the driveway next to Brazilian Wax and Spa By Claudia or off Senate Street via an entrance by Freshe Poke.

“We want people to be able to come in, grab bowl and go,” Croker says. There is also indoor seating for 14 and outdoor seating at two picnic tables, “for people who want to enjoy the beach vibe.” Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.