Jucy Lu, Organic Juice Bar and Grab-and-Go Eatery, Now Open in Wynwood

Like a pubescent kid whose time has come, Wynwood is in the midst of a major growth spurt. The arts district is blowing up with shiny new businesses, corporate offices, and oodles of development, all worked in and staffed by humans. Humans who need food.

Enter Jucy Lu, an organic juice bar and grab-and-go eatery that's there to feed the hungry masses. The spot recently opened in the Wynwood Block building and sells everything from cold-pressed juices to wraps and vegan sandwiches.

"This area, it's crazy how it's growing. We are really happy to have our first store here," cofounder Vanessa Morado says.

"I saw that you don't have too many options to eat healthy but yummy," Morado adds. "We fell in love with Wynwood and the vibe and people starting things." Originally from Venezuela, Morado used to work in marketing and social media.
Jucy Lu has a nearby production center where the foods are made and then delivered to the storefront in the Wynwood Block complex. The sprawling backyard is sun-drenched and will feature couches and seating for people to chill. The walkway through Wynwood Block, past Jucy Lu, will also feature a long table and seating for those who want to eat there. 

Morado and cofounder Mariela Martinez worked with a chef and nutritionist to create the menu, which is pretty extensive. It features cold-pressed juices, shots, milks, smoothies, savory eats, and sweet treats. Jucy Lu uses gluten-free, sprouted Ezekiel bread, as well as its own, and works with local farms to source products. 

Everything at Jucy Lu is 100 percent organic, and most of the menu items are free of animal products. (Feta tops an item or two but can always be removed upon request.)

Items include the Where's the Beef sandwich ($9), with hemp-hummus, portobello mushroom, tomato chutney, roasted eggplant, alfalfa sprouts, and rémoulade; the Hipster Party salad ($9), with kale, fennel, red cabbage, crunchy bean sprouts, carrot, dried berries, nuts, seeds, dulse, avocado, and hemp-miso vinaigrette; mango passion coconut pudding ($9), with hibiscus and basil seeds; plus a full roster of juices (all $9) and plenty of other healthful, life-affirming edibles.
Eventually, they hope to open multiple stores and spread their healthy message.

"A lot of people want to eat well and take care of themselves, but sometimes they don't have options or time," Morado says. "You're working all day and you can't go home and start cooking. It's hard. I know it's hard because I'm always working and running around.

"And when you start eating well, you change not just your body but how you feel, how you think. It's amazing what the food does to your body and mind."

Jucy Lu is located at 2621 NW Second Ave., Miami. It's open seven days a week. Currently, it's open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., but beginning next week, they plan to open daily at 8 a.m. Call 786-303-4391 or visit jucylu.com.