Nocatee residents Sam and Angie Lacey are passionate about maintaining an organic diet. Recognizing that their community was also very health-conscious and that organic options in the area were spare, they decided to open a juice bar that catered to this need.
It took a lot of time and effort, but they realized their dream at last when, three weeks ago, they opened their Clean Juice franchise at 250 Pine Lake Drive.
The new business was an instant success. In fact, they’ve already broken the Clean Juice record for single-week sales.
“We thought we were going to be busy, but we did not think we were going to be as busy as we were,” said Sam Lacey.
In fact, the couple could sense the community’s growing excitement from comments they received.
“We had people reaching out to us probably two to three times a day, asking us, ‘Are you open yet? Are you open yet?’” said Sam Lacey.
One of the secrets of their success may be their choice of brands. When they were initially investigating options, the franchises they encountered were not fully committed to organic fare. Then they found Clean Juice, which turned out to be a perfect fit. Their juice bar carries the certification of the California Certified Organic Growers Association, which means they maintain a menu that is at least 95% organic.
Customers can order juices that are customized and made on the spot. They can also purchase bottled juice, which employees make on site using their cold-press machine.
“We’re one of the very few juice bars that actually cold-press in-house,” said Sam Lacey. That means the juice is not simply shipped in from out of state. The juice contains no preservatives and is not pasteurized, so it is only kept on the shelf briefly. And because it is organic, the juice is free of pesticides.
“What you’re putting in your body is in its purest form of how God made it, what it’s intended to be used for in our bodies without the pesticides and toxins,” said Angie Lacey.
In addition to a variety of healthy juices and smoothies, that menu includes wraps, toasts (including the popular avocado toast) and the company’s trademark Greenoa Bowls, which are a kind of salad. One of the star attractions is perhaps their selection of acai bowls, filled with fruit, nuts and more, that provide an alternative to ice cream. There’s also a kids’ menu, seasonal items and more.
“We want people to feel well when they leave here,” said Sam Lacey.
Though new, the business is actually growing due to the community response. The Laceys are adding another kitchen to make online orders and a new grab-and-go refrigerator.
“We are so grateful for the community’s support and how they’ve responded and showed their love for us bringing this juice bar concept here,” said Angie Lacey.
Clean Juice is open 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. The business phone is 904-679-4552.
