While working at Erie Insurance in 2019, Krystal Robinson decided she wanted a fresh smoothie but couldn’t find one anywhere in downtown Erie.

Frustrated by the city’s lack of options, Robinson decided to become the change she wanted to see, opening up Taste and See Fruit and Veggie Bar two years later.

Since then, her restaurant found a home in the Flagship City Food Hall on North Park Row, but recently she submitted a request for proposal to take over the former cafe at the Erie County Courthouse, opening a new chapter in her healthy food journey.

“I knew we needed a new home, that was my hope to be able to find a new home for Taste and See,” said Krystal Robinson, Taste and See Owner. “It was awarded to Taste and See, and that makes me feel really good about having a heart to make healthy accessible, and so here we are.”

Cafe in Erie County Courthouse set to return

Right now, Robinson is getting the space ready for her anticipated opening on April 20th, and when it’s done, customers can expect soups, salads, wraps, breakfast foods, and of course, smoothies.

Taste and See is the first business to move into the space on the ground floor of the courthouse since former County Executive Brenton Davis terminated the lease with the former “Courthouse Café” in 2022.

Robinson said she wants to create a welcoming environment for courthouse employees who haven’t been able to use the space in years, and for them, the excitement is building.

“It’s been much needed for a long time now,” said Karen Spilko, Executive Assistant to the County Executive. “For a well-balanced lunch, we’re all excited to go in there, and less vending time for sure.”

“I think it’s terrific. I miss the previous one, but I think it’s a good thing for people who work here and also during jury trials,” said Lyell Cook, Erie County Coroner.

Erie County Courthouse cafe will soon serve its last meal

When current County Executive Christina Vogel took office, her administration re-evaluated the use of the space, deciding to move forward with a new café.

Robinson said when it’s all finished, she wants to create a warm, welcoming and refreshing environment for both courthouse employees and the public.

“The experience I’m looking to provide is for Taste and See to be accessible, affordable, reliable and dependable,” said Robinson. “So many people, even in our adult ages, and adult professionals, we get scared or we shy away from fruits and veggies. I promise we make it taste good, which is why we are Taste and See Fruit and Veggie Bar.”

Robinson said anyone is welcome to “taste and see” themselves later this month, and it’s worth the trip through courthouse security. The restaurant can be found on the bottom floor of the Erie County Courthouse on West 6th Street.

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