Juicy success: The Orange Peel zests up Santa Clara and Ivins with new shop openings

Written by Jessi Bang
July 8, 2024

ST. GEORGE — From premium smoothies and berrylicious açai bowls to cotton candy atop boba tea, this local smoothie shop is spreading its fruity flavors across Washington County.

The Orange Peel offers premium smoothies, bowls and more, location and date not specified | Photo courtesy of Brooke Ence, St. George News
The Orange Peel offers premium smoothies, bowls and more, location and date not specified | Photo courtesy of Brooke Ence, St. George News

“People may not know that we’ve been operating here in St. George for the last 17 years,” Derek Graf, co-owner of The Orange Peel, told St. George News. “We’re all Utah-based and it all started right here.”

He and his wife Annette Graf are the dynamic duo behind The Orange Peel, a smoothie shop they brought to fruition in 2007. They joined forces with Finance and Operations Manager Brooke Ence, who not only keeps the finances in check but also shakes things up on the franchising side.

“It’s funny,” Ence said. “I was just thinking about how they’re the dreamers, and I’m the voice of reason. My role is to just keep it all together. And we have fun.”

The Orange Peel’s adventure originally began on River Road in St. George, with the owners’ dream to open a location near their homes in Santa Clara. Fast-forward to today, and that dream has come true.

The Orange Peel Owners Derek and Annette Graf smile for the camera in front of their new location in Ivins, Utah, June 13, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
The Orange Peel Owners Derek and Annette Graf smile for the camera in front of their new location in Ivins, Utah, June 13, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

They’ve opened not just one but two locations in the area. The first is in Santa Clara, next to Summit Athletic, and the second is in Ivins, nestled inside the Canyon Crossing shopping center on Snow Canyon Parkway. The Ivins location opened its doors on March 26, while the Santa Clara shop was a labor of love for three years before officially opening on June 3.

“It’s just so friendly,” Annette Graf said about the Ivins area. “It’s so relaxed, friendly, outdoorsy. Everyone comes in with either a bike or their kids. It’s a very active, very healthy community, which we feel is fitting since that goes along with our brand and culture.”

Since the Ivins location opening, she’s encountered many inspiring customers, including a 72-year-old woman who runs 30 miles a day. This ultra-long-distance runner is a regular at the shop, always ordering drinks with zero sugar and double protein.

Arica Misko, The Orange Peel’s Santa Clara manager, has been with the company for nearly six years, while Kiersten Crowell, manager of the Ivins location, also boasts a six-year tenure. Together, they spearheaded the opening of the company’s Kaysville location.

What made Misko stay with the company for so long?

The Orange Peel offers premium smoothies, bowls and more, location and date not specified | Photo courtesy of Annette Graf, St. George News
The Orange Peel offers premium smoothies, bowls and more, location and date not specified | Photo courtesy of Annette Graf, St. George News

“Just having solid owners, a product I believe in and the values I believe in,” Misko said. “We really strive for customer service and customer experience and connecting people. And the culture. It’s just a great place to be.”

Curious about The Orange Peel’s fan favorites?

Their “Almond Protein” is a top seller, making up over 30% of their daily orders. The drink features a blend of strawberry, banana, pineapple, whey protein and apple juice, topped with fresh coconut and sliced almonds, with the option to add no-sugar Stevia for sweetness. Annette Graf said people from neighboring states have flocked to The Orange Peel just to try this one after hearing rave reviews from others.

Other crowd-pleasing items include breakfast smoothies like the “Choco Wake-up,” a mix of chocolate, peanut butter, strawberry, banana and blended with granola. Annette Graf suggests trying another favorite, “The AVA” —  short for Avocado, Vanilla and Almond. While some may be taken aback by the inclusion of avocado, she assures it’s delicious.

All locations also serve fresh-made Açai Bowls, prepared to order and never frozen. Picture this: açai pulp topped with fresh strawberries, banana, blueberry, granola, almond, chia seeds, hemp heart seeds and coconut, then sweetened with agave.

“This one takes a little time to make, but that’s because we make everything from the beginning to the end,” Annette Graf said. “And you can taste the difference.”

From their tropical section, customers love their “Beach Break,” a coconut, pineapple and mango smoothie. Many of their green drinks are also popular, such as “Lean Machine“ and Cool Runnings.” Take a “Power Shot” of wheatgrass or ginger root, available in 1- or 2-ounce options.

“It depends on your personality,” Annette Graf said. “There’s really something for everyone.

How it started

Founders Annette and Derek Graf discovered their passion for boba during a visit to Seattle, Washington, in 2006. Inspired, they returned to St. George with a mission to introduce a similar experience to Southern Utah.

A fresh bowl is prepared at The Orange Peel in Ivins, Utah, June 13, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
A fresh bowl is prepared at The Orange Peel in Ivins, Utah, June 13, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

As they brainstormed their business concept, they envisioned more than just boba and chose a name that would also reflect a vibrant juice and smoothie shop – The Orange Peel. They ended up focusing more on creating healthy, fruit-based drinks, and now they’re renowned for their smoothies, with boba as a popular side menu item.

Visit The Orange Peel’s newest locations at 215 Snow Canyon Parkway Suite 401 in Ivins and 967 Country Lane in Santa Clara. See their original location in St. George at 42 S. River Road, #13. For more information, including a full menu, visit their website. Stay up to date with all the juicy details on Instagram and Facebook.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jessi Bang was born and raised in Utah and has a passion for nature and the great outdoors. She graduated from Kaplan University in California with a degree in criminal justice. She has extensive experience in marketing, content creation, photography and copywriting. You can find her showcasing outdoor adventures through her blog, “The Rambling Raccoon.” In her free time, she enjoys climbing mountains, trail running, working out and cuddling her two lovable pups.

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Twitter: @STGnews

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