Davis smoothie shop closed after employee tests positive for COVID-19

Davis’ lone Jamba is temporarily closed after an employee tested positive for COVID-19, the Atlanta-based chain confirmed Monday night.

A sign on the front door at 1361 W. Covell Blvd. said Jamba, formerly known as Jamba Juice, was shut down “to protect the health and wellness of our valued guests.” In an email, public relations manager Sara Zwolski confirmed the franchise had an employee test positive for the deadly respiratory disease and would undergo extensive cleaning.

“This location has been temporarily closed to allow for additional deep cleaning and sanitation,” Zwolski said. “The well-being of guests and team members across all of our franchise locations is important to us. As we continue to monitor the situation closely, we are encouraging all franchisees to closely follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and take direction from their local health departments.”

Prior to its shutdown, Jamba had no indoor seating, limited occupancy to six customers and required employees and customers to wear masks while inside the store in accordance with a Yolo County ordinance.

Yolo County has had 526 confirmed COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, including 193 over the last nine days. Davis has had 19 new cases over that time span, including an outbreak at Courtyard Healthcare Center skilled nursing facility, and 52 total. Yolo County is investigating possible COVID-19 outbreaks at 16 worksites and 26 locations total, the Davis Enterprise reported Tuesday.

Founded as a senior project at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1990, Jamba now has more than 850 locations across 36 states as well as Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia. Its parent company, Focus Brands, also owns Cinnabon, Auntie Anne’s, McAlister’s Deli, Carvel and Schlotzsky’s, among others.

Jamba rebranded last year to highlight its smoothies, acai bowls and other health foods in addition to housemade juices.