Video courtesy of WCTV, Rebekah Vaughan

The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic was an uncertain time for many. With businesses being shut down and reduced to lower capacities, non-essential workers lost their jobs. For Mabel Jetten, co-owner of Fruition Bowl and Brews in Waynesburg, her job as a hairstylist was shut down immediately during the first weeks of quarantine.

Quarantine gave Jetten, her brother Leandro Culp, and Leandro’s girlfriend, Sara Bates, time to focus on staying healthy.

“During that time, it was a scary time, so we were kind of just filling up with vitamins, trying to be the healthiest versions of ourselves,” Jetten said. “We just realized that there’s nothing healthy to eat in Greene County at all.”

Staying healthy during the pandemic sparked the idea of creating a healthy meal option in Greene County, and Fruition Bowls and Brews at 78 W. High St. was born.

On the menu, Fruition Bowls and Brews serves up items like coffee, fruit bowls, smoothies, specialty toast, including avocado toast and guacamole and chips. The guacamole is made fresh in house.

Rebekah Vaughan - The Yellow Jacket

Store hours are 7 a.m to 4 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and . 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Fruition Bowls and Brews is closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“The name came from the definition. The making of fruit and to bring an idea to fruition,” Jetten said.

Jetten is a 2014 Waynesburg University business management alumna. She said she understands what it’s like to be in the students’ shoes.

“We realized there’s nothing here for students to go to,” Jetten said. “There’s no place to go and study or go and just kind of relax that’s not considered campus life. We wanted someplace for the students to have kind of an oasis.”

Amanda Longstreth, a junior nursing major at Waynesburg University, said that is the exact reason she loves Fruition Bowls and Brews.

“It’s fun to go off campus and try new things and to support a local business that caters to what students like and what’s fun for us to try,” Longstreth said.

Longstreth also said  it is comforting to have something  healthy so close to campus during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s nice to know you can still take care of yourself and be at school,” she said.

For any Waynesburg University student, a dollar off discount is offered if a student ID is shown at the register.

“The student discount is really generous,” Longstreth said. “It really shows how much they appreciate the students.”

 Supporting local businesses is important to Longstreth, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I saw many businesses in my town temporarily close or completely shut down due to the pandemic,” she said. “Having the opportunity to go support Fruition [Bowls and Brews] is definitely something to take advantage of.”

Outside of the college community, residents of Waynesburg borough and Greene County have welcomed Fruition Bowls and Brews with open arms.

“Our opening day was the last day you could dine in before things got shut down again so we stayed open as late as possible,” Jetten said. “It was such a long line all day that our blenders actually broke. We felt so humbled by it because Greene County has embraced us. I really think this is something that everyone needs.”

There are some perks to opening a business during a pandemic, such as being prepared to continue to serve customers even if in-house dining is shut down again. All of the items sold are prepared  to-go.

Jetten said that there are already big plans for the future of Fruition Bowls and Brews.

“We want to open up in Morgantown in about a year and a half,” Jetten said. “We have people coming from Fayette County, Washington County and Morgontown. We definitely see a hole for us to fill.”

“We’ve been waiting for you guys to come and we’re really excited that you’re here and we really hope you try to get a little bit of an oasis from Waynesburg and it’s right down the street so come on over,” Jetten said.