Sunshine Smoothie

The reggae music is so loud I can hear it outside as I walk up to OB’s newest smoothie shack. The patio looks like a Tiki hut and comfy patio chairs beckon customers to enjoy the OB sunshine at Sunshine Smoothie. The two-month-old business’s owner, Jesse Harkous, greets me with a big smile and firm handshake as soon as I walk in the door. A few seconds later a regular smoothie connoisseur walks in and explains that he brought his dad to try one of Sunshine Smoothie’s concoctions. He gets the same friendly greeting from Jesse and as more regulars and drop-ins continue to trickle through the door, I realize Jesse’s welcoming attitude is not reserved for grub reviewers and friends.
I take a seat on the comfy black couch to admire the local artwork that lines the walls. One of Jesse’s friends paints beach scenes on palm fronds and his work is proudly displayed. Annie, the smiley smoothie chick, brings me a huge mango, pineapple, strawberry and Red Bull smoothie. It’s delicious. Literature about wheat grass and algae sits on the coffee table in front of me and just as I’m about to ask about the acai bowl on the menu, Jesse brings me one. I now have a mound of bananas, strawberries, granola and acai plus a giant smoothie.
“Our acai comes right from Brazil,” Jesse explains.  “That way it’s authentic and tastes better.” With my mouth full of fresh fruit I just nod in agreement. “Also, the smoothies have no preservatives or additives.” Awesome. Delicious and natural. I ask Jesse how Sunshine Smoothie got started and he tells me about how he has always wanted his own business. He explains that his first clients were his friends and that without them he couldn’t have gotten his business off the ground. Annie smiles and explains that every time she comes to work she feels like she’s making smoothies for her friends. Jesse’s motto seems to be “It’s about the people.” He shows me a photo album that dates back to the shop’s construction and follows through with pictures of some regular customers including Miles, the young, local skater kid with killer blue eyes that Jesse calls “the shop kid.”
Jesse is a San Diegan, born and raised, who understands the value of good people and fresh fruit. He said he just fell into the OB location on the corner of West Pt. Loma Blvd. and claims he wouldn’t feel the competition from Jamba Juice if there was one next door. “It trips me out how everything just flows together. It’s meant to be or something,” Jesse said about his business and it’s easy to see he feels that way about life in general. I left OB with half a smoothie in hand, a couple of new friends and a smile on my face.