Wayne residents will no longer need to make a pilgrimage to Montclair for the very popular and highly sought-after Playa Bowls. A new location, founded by Wayne Hills alumnus Connor Michel and Anthony Rubino from Pequannock, will soon be opening on Route 23 in the Pompton Plains Plaza.

Playa Bowls is a franchise that sells various smoothie bowls with different flavors, fruits and additional ingredients like granola, honey, coconut, peanut butter, and nutella. The appealing appearance and healthy menu are trendy among young people in the area, including students at Wayne Hills.

Junior Gabby DeGennaro predicts that the new Playa Bowls is “always going to be crowded, [and] it’s always going to be busy.” Despite the expected popularity and high demand for the fruit and smoothie bowls, DeGennaro said, “I’m still going to go.”

Alyssa Miller, a sophomore who has not tried Playa Bowls, said, “I’ll probably go because it’s closer [to Wayne].”

The first store opened in Belmar on the Jersey shore, but has since expanded to multiple locations throughout North and South Jersey including Long Branch, Morristown, Toms River, Seaside Park and Montclair.

The local Playa Bowls is set to open in early 2018.