Ten years ago there was a frozen yogurt shop on every corner. Today they’ve been supplanted with juice shops. In the last five years Nashville has seen more than a dozen new juice bars open…and counting. We can say for sure that juicing has become a “thing” here in Music City.
The question is why. Why is juice trending so fiercely? To get to the bottom of this, we visited many of Nashville’s juice bars for their take on the cold-pressed hot topic of the day.
Between the increased awareness of the dangers of the Standard American Diet (SAD) and a growing cultural interest in wellness, Americans are more eager to seek control over what we put in our bodies. Enter juice.
There’s two and a half pounds of fresh produce in every serving of juice at the Urban Juicer according to VP of Development, Kristin Landiss.
“It is a way to take in fruits and vegetables efficiently,” says Erin Husi, managing partner at The Daily Juice. “Many people don’t sit down for three meals a day, and neither do they regularly shop or cook for themselves. Quick and easy options are rarely nutritious.” Because there are more fruits and vegetables put into a glass of juice than one could possibly eat in one sitting, juicing allows consumers to balance nutritional deficits with ease.
Juicing at home means research, shopping, and cleanup. The alternative of stepping into a juice bar full of every kind of juice-able plant, therefore, has considerable appeal. Rose Mattingly, the Assistant General Manager at Juice Bar in Brentwood, theorizes that “juice bars do well because they are hassle free.” Customers can come in and quickly access, as she puts it “multiple kinds of superfoods on tap: fresh food for all dietary needs.”
This accessibility factor is high on the list of juice bar priorities. Stephanie Waring, the Founder and Co-Owner of juice.Nashville, says this is one of her main goals in serving her customers. Stephanie, who first became interested in juice during an illness, said “When I was sick, it was really hard to grocery shop and press juice every day. Cold-pressed juice (which can be stored) makes it way easier.” Erin Husi echoes this idea when says she wants to “show people this is an accessible and great way to eat all the time: it’s doable, healthy, AND flavorful.”
In addition to wanting controllable and accessible nutrition, juice fans seem to be chasing a psychological health boost as much as a physical one. Jessica from Urban Juicer says her customers come in for the satisfaction of knowing that juicing is an “Act of doing something good for [one’s self].” This is important when considering that alternatives to juice—coffee, soda, and other sweetened beverages--are nowhere near as nutritious. The choice of juice, in and of itself, makes consumers feel like they are on a good path. “It’s hard to take care of yourself, especially in the South,” says Stephanie Waring. “People are looking to add nutrition to their lifestyle. They want to be a better version of themselves.”
Picking up on this motivation, most juice bars do their best to cultivate a feel-good experience to add to this lifestyle. Juice bar interiors welcome guests with clean lines, happy bursts of color, and peppy music. The juice labels all bear fun and kooky names like, “Oh Yeah!” and “Mint to be.” Cheery staff answer any and all questions and quickly launch into explanations of the benefits of cold-pressed juice. Cumulatively, these efforts result in a juicing community. “Many people come in once a day. Some people twice!” reports Rose Mattingly. “Juice Bar’s culture really makes a difference. We want [customers] to enjoy themselves.” Leading this culture are the juice bars’ founders and staff themselves, all of whom report the dramatic ways in which juice changed their lives and dearly want others to experience the same boost.
The Urban Juicer
Made to order juice, smoothies, boosters, salads, wraps, and lunch boxes.
- Melrose: 2206 8th Ave. S.
- East Nashville: 1009 Gallatin Ave.
The Daily Juice
Cold-pressed juice plus smoothies, salads, snacks, and cleanses.
- Downtown: 211 3rd Ave S.
- Brentwood: 700 Old Hickory Blvd
juice. Nashville
A family-owned cold-pressed juicing company--the first of its kind in Tennessee.
100% raw and unpasteurized.
- The Gulch:1106 Division St.
The Fountain of Juice
Cold-pressed, raw, all organic, local and fair trade farmers, and wild-harvested superfoods and medicinal herbs.
- Nashville Farmers Market: 900 Rosa Parks Blvd
- East Nashville Farmer’s Market Shelby Park: 1500 Davidson St.
Fix Juice Co.
Organic fruits and vegetables for cold-pressed juices and whole-food smoothies. Also offering locally-made grab-n-go snacks.
- Belle Meade: 6017A Highway 100
Juice Bar
Vegetarian, gluten-free, organic when possible, and always uses 100% whole fruits and vegetables. Also serves smoothies, shots, snacks, and cleanses.
- Green Hills: 2120 Green Hills Village Dr.
- Berry Hill: 522 Heather Pl.
- The Gulch: 222 11th Ave S.
- Germantown: 1120 4th Ave.
- Belle Meade: 6000 Highway 100
- Brentwood: 128 Pewitt Drive
Lynn Lorraine’s Juice Bar
Juices and smoothies made to order, along with options for hydrating water infusions, snacks, and shots.
- East Nashville: 1100 Fatherland St.
Nashville Roots Juicery
Made daily, organic and conventional cold-pressed juices, raw and HPP free. A perfect accompaniment to your snack from Star Bagel!
- Sylvan Park: 4504 Murphy Rd
Franklin Juice Co.
This cold-pressed juicery incorporates the culture of “America’s Best Small Town” into their recipes and brand. Juice delivery by Harvey, their truck.
- 12th South: 2301 12th Ave. S.
- Franklin: 230 Franklin Rd.
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