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Growing up in Ardsley, sisters Martine Cadet and Valerie Cadet Simpkins have long focused on living a healthy lifestyle.
The daughters of physicians and Haitian immigrants, the former high school track stars had a dream to someday own a business that incorporated their passion for health foods.
After doing some Internet research, Cadet, a marketing executive at Microsoft, came across an opportunity with Robeks Corp., a national franchisor of premium juice, fruit smoothies and healthy snacks.
“Smoothies are kind of cutting edge in some ways,” Cadet said. “You can get your full daily fruit or vegetable benefit from a smoothie. They are functional and can be used as a meal replacement or a treat.”
The Manhattan Beach, Calif.- based company is adding to  its East Coast presence with the Nov. 1 opening of its first Westchester County franchise in the Wykagyl section of New Rochelle.
Cadet will serve as CEO of the new Robeks Juice and Smoothies Bar.
Cadet Simpkins will serve as human resources and community service representative.
“We originally thought of having a holistic health center,” Cadet Simpkins, a New Rochelle resident. “There”™s such a need out there for people to realize that what you put in your body impacts how you feel every day.” Simpkins said.
And with that need, “you”™ll always have people who are looking for a convenient and healthy solution.”
Cadet Simpkins, an English teacher and assistant principal at The Bronx Preparatory Charter School, hopes to educate the community about living a healthy lifestyle.
She said the store will provide a healthy alternative snack for teenagers attending surrounding schools.
“The first step in the overall larger goal is to bring healthy foods to the community in a fast and convenient way,” Cadet Simpkins said. “The earlier you teach people about their health, the more ingrained it becomes in their lives.”
To help market the new store, which has an opening coinciding with the presidential election, Robeks Wykagyl is sponsoring an online election campaign: “Vote for Your Favorite Smoothie.” Each of the major party candidates are depicted in a graphic design as caricatures sipping smoothies. Voters can cast their votes online for either the “Acai Energizer Smoothie,” being sipped by Barack Obama or the “Infinite Orange Smoothie” by John McCain. Each vote cast will be entered into a random drawing to win a free smoothies party as well as raffles taking place during the Grand Opening Weekend, which will coincide with New Rochelle”™s Thanksgiving Day parade. Results will be announced on or about Election Day, Nov. 4.
