“Everything is just pure food” at Blue Whale Cafe, says owner Christy Kaledas, who has filled out the all-vegetarian menu at the Lamp Post Plaza storefront formerly known as The Thrivery.
Kaledas had co-owned and managed the business originally founded as Thrive Juicery by her friends Anna and Andy Mignery; she reports that the couple have since moved to Sarasota, Florida, where they plan to relaunch and franchise their concept focused on cold-pressed raw, unpasteurized juices. Coming into her own with the rebrand, Kaledas’s offerings include smoothies, açaí bowls, Roos Roast coffee drinks, and several savory dishes with gluten-free, vegan options, such as the spicy harissa chickpea and Southwest salad protein box.
The redesigned setting includes video screens of underwater ocean scenes featuring the business’s namesake, “my favorite animal on the whole entire earth,” enthuses the mother of three girls, one of whom is a budding marine biologist.
“I’m there typically seven days a week,” Kaledas says, “so I’m just really trying to create an environment and a culture where I want to hang out, where my staff wants to be.”
Blue Whale Cafe, 2420 E. Stadium. (734) 585–5221. Mon.–Fri. 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. bluewhalecafe.net
