Highland smoothie model JuicyNess is celebrating the opening of its first fastened location in Inverness, seven years after its preliminary launch.
Based by Alison MacKintosh in 2014, JuicyNess presents a variety of freshly pressed smoothies and juices and protein shakes.
The concept to develop the enterprise stemmed from Alison, 34, going by way of a well being transformation and shedding greater than three stone by altering her food regimen to contemporary home made meals and, after all, smoothies and juices, teamed with each day train.
“It was a pure development for me to comply with this newfound ardour and assist others get more healthy,” she mentioned.
And whereas she might have taken seven years to open a everlasting location, at Fairways Retail Park in Inverness, Alison launched a cell smoothie bar, often known as Wee Juicy, inside this era.
The success of this enterprise made her sure of the following steps was for the model.
Mounted location
JuicyNess initially began with Alison making and bottling contemporary juices and smoothies within the type of detox packages that have been obtainable for native assortment and nationwide supply.
“I labored from my kitchen after which moved home to transform a storage right into a workshop area,” she mentioned. “Then, I began doing pop-up juice bars at native occasions and I cherished the face-to-face contact with prospects.
“My love of the pop-ups led to me buying a transformed classic horsebox, which I known as Wee Juicy, in 2019 to do extra occasions. That was so nicely acquired I made a decision to take the leap and get a set location with set days and instances so that individuals by no means missed out!
“However Wee Juicy will nonetheless be out and about at native occasions regardless of the smoothie bar being open. And I’ll proceed to function from my workshop at residence for on-line orders.”
The venue opened its doorways to the general public this week. Will probably be open each day from 9am to 6pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9am to 8pm on Thursdays and 10am to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Alison put a suggestion in to buy the unit in March earlier than formally getting the keys firstly of August. The area was renovated inside a mere four-week time-frame.
She continued: “It’s been nice to see my imaginative and prescient coming alive in any case these months!
“Location is the whole lot and ours is in a busy retail park with a lot of passing commerce from neighbouring barbers, hairdressers, driving vary, go-karting, bakers, a journey agent and a fitness center, with loads of free parking proper exterior, so I’m actually excited.
“Though we now have set opening hours, we’ll monitor buyer demand and open earlier or later if demand is there. I’ve employed two part-time positions to assist me, however I’m hoping to additionally fill a full-time place to concentrate on the cell facet of the enterprise at occasions and overlaying shifts on the smoothie bar.”
Recent is finest
With 11 completely different flavours obtainable on the takeaway menu, with weekly specials, each smoothie and juice from JuicyNess is made and pressed contemporary from complete components.
“In addition to smoothies and juices, there may be additionally a brand new dietary supplements part providing vegan protein superfood shakes, whey protein shakes and a plant-based pre-workout combine,” Alison mentioned. “The smoothie bar will concentrate on these three areas to enhance what’s already on supply inside the retail park.”
“We may even have ‘fridge packs’, too, the place prospects can select 5 objects from the menu to be bottled as much as retailer at residence. Once more, these are made contemporary to order and are sealed to lock that in. You simply can’t beat a freshly made juice or smoothie!
“I’m actually pleased with our menu after always tweaking recipes through the years.”
The enterprise proprietor makes use of produce from native wholesalers, Swansons Fruit & Greens, who ship to Alison a number of instances per week.
Trying forward, she hopes to develop the cell facet of the enterprise now that the smoothie bar is formally open.
“Though JuicyNess has been on the go since 2014 it’s all the time been a little bit of a facet ardour,” Alison added. “However this yr I took the leap to go full time.
“As an impartial enterprise, it’s scary to take a position a lot in a brand new mission however I’m excited for this subsequent stage and the place it’ll take us.
“My family and friends have all the time been so supportive. After seven years, it’s now or by no means to develop and see the place I can take the enterprise and they’re proper there with me.
“With the smoothie bar up and working, we now have huge plans for the cell facet of the enterprise. Watch this area.”
