They say that behind every great man stands a great woman, and such is the case with NBA star LeBron James and his wife, Savannah James.
Mrs. James recently opened the Juice Spot, a cold-pressed juice bar in Brickell that specializes in nutrient-dense juices, smoothies, and light bites. If opening week is any indication of what's to come (think eager juice junkies and Heat fans standing in line since 5 a.m. to get a taste) her first entrepreneurial venture is set to succeed.
Together with her business partner and personal trainer, David Alexander, she curated the Juice Spot's menu after researching countless recipes and visiting juice bars in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York.
To add artistic flavor to the space, she enlisted the talents of Ian Ross, a San Francisco-based artist who created a massive bright-green mural using his signature, graffiti-like technique.
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Since last week's opening, the place has been packed with celebs such as Angela Simmons, Jonathan Cheban, and Gabrielle Union, and Heat players like Norris Cole.
Short Order spoke with Savannah James about the juice biz, starting a new business, and the importance of nutrition.
Short Order: What prompted you to get into the cold-pressed juice business?
Savannah James: When I began preparing for my wedding, my main focus was my nutrition. Incorporating juices into my diet was something that helped me achieve my goals and continues to keep me on track.
Some people think of juicing as an extreme diet measure, but the slogan for the Juice Spot is "It's a lifestyle." How is the Juice Spot's approach different?
That's why we don't offer detoxes and cleanses. We want to educate people on how to integrate juices into a daily routine. There are no quick fixes. Our juice specialists will work one-on-one with our customers to help determine which juices are right for them and their needs.
How would you recommend a new customer begin their juice journey?
The concept is for our team to interact with everyone who walks through the door. Based on the information that we receive from a customer, we make a professional opinion on what would be right for them. If someone came in that has never had a green juice before, we would most likely recommend our Green Delight. It's sweet but still has all of the beneficial properties you'll need.
The Juice Spot is also a fully equipped Wi-Fi bar, creating a warm and inviting environment. What was the inspiration behind the design and layout?
We wanted to create a community, so we added as many amenities as possible. Technology and social media are such an integral part of our society, and we wanted to create a space where people can come, grab a juice, and catch up on emails and Instagram.
How did you develop the menu, and what makes the Juice Spot's products different from others?
My partner David Alexander and I did a lot of research. We did taste tests at juice bars in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Miami. We came up with the recipes ourselves based on what we had tasted and what would suit our needs at the Juice Spot.
The Juice Spot is located at 1800 SW First Ave. in Brickell. Call 786-502-3936 or visit thejuicespotmiami.com.
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