College Job Leads Entrepreneur to Teaneck Road Cafe

For Fred Fox, owner of Get Fruity Café, his college job ended up becoming a lynchpin of the Teaneck community.

Fox, now 40, was in college at Morgan State in Baltimore, Md., when he and two friends searched for a way to make money. The trio started a small food-delivery business.

“We’d get orders from faculty and staff for fruit salad. There was such a huge demand, we stopped taking orders and got a truck and started selling fruit salad.”

After graduation, Fox, who attended Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood, wanted to bring his new passion back home. “I fulfilled the needs of people. It was fun being part of something new and innovative.”

During his time in Maryland, Fox learned important mantras that stayed with him: innovative merchandise, a connection to the community he is serving and a different delivery method.

At Get Fruity Café, the smoothies and dairy-free frozen fruit blends, with names like “Now That’s Crazy,” “Action Jackson” and “Me & My Shorty,” take Fox back to the joy of his youth, and he creates that same fun environment here.

“I come here all the time when I’m in town,” says Amina Kure, a Pennsylvania resident who grew up in Teaneck. Her twin sister, Miriam, adds, “Everything is fresh, it tastes good, and everyone is polite here--it kind of makes you feel welcome.”

Since opening the Get Fruity Café in Teaneck 10 years ago, Fox has kept his basic philosophies the same. His food truck still visits local spots and takes part in street fairs and events.

“We are definitely the definition of a community store,” he said. “But most of all, we try to be involved and support the local community.” In addition to donating food to local parent/teacher organizations, Get Fruity Café is establishing a scholarship fund for local students.

Get Fruity Café also has a new program in which a three-day, individually packed, fresh supply of fruit salads, tailored to your liking, is delivered right to your door. There’s an option to create your own mix; 8-ounce or 16-ounce packages are available once or twice a week at various price ranges; and dependability and affordability are guaranteed. Call (201) 820-2208 or (201) 658-4313 for details.

Moving forward, Fox has big dreams. Franchising is one, another store or food truck as well, and he’d like to build a kiosk on wheels for street fairs. “That,” he says of his dreams, “keeps the passion going. It’s exciting trying to reach these new goals.”