Andrea Harwood
By Andrea Harwood
Haley Gerarde has opened up a new business, Jenny Jo’s Smoothie Bar. The Lake George native operates the mobile smoothie truck in the greater Saratoga and Glens Falls region.
Gerarde purchased the business in early 2021. The smoothie truck was previously known as The Smoothie Shoppe. Gerarde renamed the business and the truck to Jenny Jo’s Smoothie Bar upon acquisition. She operated the business briefly as The Smoothie Shoppe as she waited for her signage to be completed.
Gerarde has two daughters, Genevieve (Jenny) and Josephine (Jo), the namesakes of her business.
Years ago when the business was owned by previous operators and known as The Smoothie Shoppe, Gerarde would take her daughter Jo down to the Spa City Farmer’s Market to get smoothies. She began following The Smoothie Shoppe on social media, and eventually connected with the owners.
About a year ago, one of the previous owners showed interest in selling the business. Gerarde already had interest in starting a business, perhaps a brick-and-mortar breakfast place. When she heard the smoothie shop business was for sale, she inquired right away.
The current menu features all-vegan, non-dairy, soy- and wheat-free smoothies with no added sugars. While Gerarde plans to keep those options available, she will be adding more traditional smoothie flavors for a wider market. In particular, she said she would like to add smoothie flavors with a yogurt base.
Jenny Jo’s Smoothie Bar is at the Glens Falls Farmer’s Market on Saturdays, The Food Truck Corral at The Shirt Factory on Thursdays, a pop-up on Maple Street next to Glens Falls City Park on Friday mornings, and the Spa City Farmers Market on Sundays. Additionally, Jenny Jo’s frequently has pop-up events.
Gerarde is considering a small brick-and-mortar space in The Shirt Factory for the winter months. She is developing a business model to provide a subscription program for local businesses, where she would go to specific locations on specific days to deliver smoothies.
“I’ll keep the delivery radius small, within about four miles, because I want to keep the integrity of the smoothies I’m delivering,” said Gerarde.
Businesses interested in a regular delivery schedule, employee appreciation days and other events can contact Gerarde directly at jennyjosllc@gmail.com.
The best to keep up with Jenny Jo’s is on social media via Facebook and Instagram at @jennyjosllc.