Thorn + Roots Brings Healthy Fast Food to Church Street 

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• Courtesy Of Thorn + Roots
• Thorn + Roots on Burlington's Church Street Marketplace and smoothie bowl and juices at Thorn + Roots

The connection between Burlington and Saratoga Springs, N.Y., grew one business stronger in October with the opening of Thorn + Roots on the Church Street Marketplace.

The juice bar's sister restaurant, Urban Roots Kitchen, has operated in the upstate New York town for two years.

"We had always been looking at Burlington," Thorn + Roots owner Brandon Acres told Seven Days. "Burlington has a lot of synergies with Saratoga. There are other businesses up here that are also there, like Kru Coffee and Saratoga Olive Oil, and both places have a vibrant, small-town-city feel."

While the Saratoga location was temporarily closed from March to June, Acres had time to explore expansion.

"We came to Burlington to look at spaces, and a perfect spot opened up," Acres said, referring to the former B. Good location at 92 Church Street, where Thorn + Roots opened on October 13.

"The landlord [V/T Commercial's Bill Kiendl] was super accommodating, and we were able to work with him on how to get a new restaurant in here during the pandemic," he added.

Thorn + Roots offers an array of organic, cold-pressed juices; smoothies; elaborately topped toasts; bright smoothie bowls; and "power bowls" packed with locally sourced veggies.

The restaurant is open daily for takeout and on-site dining. Customers hungry for items such as the Blue My Mind bowl, the avocado and burrata toast, or the 24 Carrot juice can order online and pick them up; delivery is available through DoorDash.

"We describe it as healthy food that doesn't taste healthy," Acres said. "We're really excited to bring a fresh new take on what healthy fast food can be."