By Lily Fay; Photo Credits to Lily Fay
If you walk past the Admission House and head towards town, and stay to the left of the split road, you will come across a quaint smoothie and açai bowl shop.
Simply Bowls has been open in Selinsgrove and owned by Amsa Courtney since Aug. 1, 2025. It is located on 209 W Pine St., which is about a 10-minute walk from the center of campus. Internally and externally, the shop is set up with bright colors and has a tropical café theme. There are many plants and places to sit, making the atmosphere of the shop extremely homely.
If you decide to order at Simply Bowls, you will learn that they have a variety of smoothie bowls to choose from, with six different options for a base as well as dozens of toppings. They also have six different predesigned bowls, which have pre-chosen bases and ingredients. However, as a customer, you are able to change certain toppings based on your preference. There is even an option called “build your own bowl,” which allows you to completely design the entire bowl in accordance with your liking. You are allowed up to four toppings before there is an upcharge for a fifth.
I recently visited Simply Bowls, and when I ordered, I asked for the “build your own bowl” because I am a bit picky. I got an açai base with my four toppings being strawberries, bananas, raspberries and Nutella. While granola is a predetermined topping for the shop, I was able to ask for no granola because I am not a fan. I was very impressed with the speed at which my order was completed, within a three-to-five-minute span, as well as how the bowl was presented.
Sometimes, when it comes to items like açai bowls, the toppings can be skimpy, so I was pleased to see the amount of ingredients, like the fruit, was enough to last me throughout the whole eating experience. Additionally, the quality of the fruit was impressive because other shops’ fruit can be frozen, mushy, unripe or even sour. Simply Bowls was able to provide me with perfect fruit, and I think that this is something that really stands out from other brands. In reference to this topic, Simply Bowls owner, Amsa, says, “I want to provide a high-quality product for my customers, so I only use fresh fruit, nothing pre-frozen, on top.”
My only criticism is that my bowl contained a lot of Nutella, which took away the taste of the other toppings as it seeped down the bowl. Some customers might like this surplus of Nutella, but I could have done with less. Also, many may find the price for one bowl, $11 plus tax, to be steep. However, the bowl manages to successfully hold a lot of contents and leaves you feeling full afterwards.
The overall atmosphere of the shop makes it feel like you have just stepped into a tropical getaway, which is hard to do in a small town that traditionally provides a quiet and charming atmosphere. The vibrant colors and decorations provide a feel-good sensation, allowing customers an experience unlike the rest of the town. The inside of the shop also has several community-driven features to view while you are ordering. For example, there is a wall with tons of personalized reviews and photos of their past customers, which really gives a sense of their passion for those who stop by in Selinsgrove. “We try to provide an environment where people can connect with each other. We want people to feel genuine customer interaction to maintain a sense of community,” said Amsa.
Considering the size, taste and presentation of the bowl, I think that Simply Bowls does a great job of serving the community of Selinsgrove, especially its Susquehanna University students, with a high-quality and customizable product. They have an overall atmosphere that sets them apart from other food shops in town, and just by stepping into the shop, you can tell that they care about you. In all, Simply Bowls is truly a great spot to grab a refreshing, sweet treat any time of the season.