Tropical Smoothie aiming to open in late November

Tropical Smoothie is opening its first Richmond Highway-area location at the Belle View Shopping Center.

The new Tropical Smoothie Cafe coming to the Belle View Shopping Center is aiming to open on Nov. 26, a spokeswoman for the company said Thursday.

Tropical Smoothie will employ around 15-20 people. according to the spokeswoman.

The cafe is moving into a vacant space in the shopping center at 1610 Belle View Boulevard that used to be a health food store. Hours for the cafe have not been announced yet, but other locations generally operate from 6 or 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In addition to smoothies, Tropical Smoothie Cafes offer toasted flatbreads and sandwiches, wraps and bowls. Breakfast food is available all day, and there’s also a kids menu, under 500-calorie items, vegetarian options and “gluten-friendly” options on the menu.

The new Belle View location will be Tropical Smoothie’s first in the Richmond Highway area. The two closest locations are in the Kingstowne near the Wegmans and in the City of Alexandria north of Old Town.