Cafe Slush is known for its Smoothies and Avis Prince knows just how to make them.  She and husband James decided that organic foods are good for everyone so off they went to the heart of East Atlanta, not the first place one would consider putting an organic cafe and natural market.   It worked.  Located in the heart of East Atlanta Village, business is growing.  It’s a family affair with all hands on deck, Avis, husband James, their two sons Ke’nan and Tyler, and Avis’s mom Sandra Norwood.

(Interview with Flaimahmy, November 10, 2009)

FM:  You are somewhat of a pioneer.   Tell us about your decision to open Cafe Slush, an organic restaurant, in an up and coming neighborhood of East Atlanta.

AP:  During my pregnancy I had gestational diabetes.  I was told that it was a warning sign and at that point started being very particular about what I consumed because it is on both sides of my family.  In my search for a healthier diet, food as well as beverage, we just started changing everything from my favorite thing, smoothies, to just a healthier way of being able to consume it.   That’s sort of where it came from, just being careful of my sugar intake; I started to implement more natural sugars rather than processed sugars in my diet.  We started making our smoothies a certain way and eating certain types of foods.  As I gained knowledge I wanted to share it with others.

Kandi Burruss

FM:  We know that Kandi Burruss (Atlanta Housewives) gave you a very good review recently.  Do you find  that your clientele are already eating organic foods or are they more often trying organic for the first time?

AP:  I would say most are trying it for the first time.

FM:  For someone visiting your restaurant for the first time, what menu suggestions would you offer?  What is your specialty?

AP:  As far as smoothies, any of them because they are all totally natural, no sugars, yogurts, ice…they are friendly to whatever diet.  As far as  the smoothies I usually ask, “ What is the preference?”  If it’s something that you’re looking to gain a certain benefit from, then I can direct them to certain foods.  As far as taste, the biggest seller would be our freshly squeezed white grapes, then we add strawberries, peaches and pineapples.  That would be the number one if you are looking for a really sweet, refreshing taste.  As far as the sandwiches, the most popular would be the turkey phillies using an all natural meat and organic vegan bread.

FM:  Do you and your family eat strictly organic?

AP:  Yes.

FM:  What is the biggest misconception that people have about organic foods?

AP:  It is that they have to sacrifice taste and that is far from the truth.

FM:  Why do you think people think that?

Marion H. "Pooch" Hall

AP:  They think that it is missing something and I always tell them that the only thing it is missing is chemicals, pesticides…it actually allows you to really taste the true flavor of the fruits and vegetables that you are consuming because it hasn’t been coated with anything artificial.

FM:  How expensive are your menu choices?

AP:  Most sandwiches are combos because we sell everything in combos.  Most are five ($5.00) to seven ($7.00) dollars.

FM:  Do you think people typically believe that it costs more to eat organically?

AP:  They do, yes.

FM:  This is a family venture for you; your Mom helps out in the kitchen.  Are your husband and two sons involved as well?

AP:  They are.

FM:  What do they usually do with you?

AP:  My older is now seventeen.  He is excellent at peeling and juicing the fruits.  The younger is my taste tester.  If it passes his taste (test) then it’s usually a winner.  My husband has become the greatest at the lemonade and tea making.

FM:  What so far has been the most challenging part of running a family business?

AP:   The biggest challenge of working with my husband and boys is keeping them from consuming all the beverages…they LOVE huge samples.

Dikembe Mutombo

FM:  Do you have plans for expansion of Cafe Slush into other parts of Atlanta or to other cities perhaps as a franchise?

AP:  We are.  We are considering that, yes.

FM:  At the end of a long day what is your favorite thing to do?

AP:  My favorite thing is to get on the Internet and continue researching.  I love researching, finding out new things everyday.  My favorite is to research the different herbs.  I love finding about  the benefits and the different natural remedies for ailments and diseases.

FM:  We consider you to be a Fly Mommy.  What do you think makes you a Fly Mommy?

AP:  I’m one in the true sense of the word.  I hold it down as far as  my daily business activities and then come home and complete that role at the same time.

www.cafeslush.com