Chicago Juice Bar Chain Plots Metro Detroit Expansion

Chicago-based juice and smoothie chain Real Good Juice Co. is expanding to metro Detroit. The company’s first Michigan juice bar is slated to debut inside the new Whole Foods Market at 2100 E Maple Rd. in Birmingham and Real Good Juice Co. also has two additional standalone suburban Detroit outlets in the works.

The company — founded by former Wall Street trader Jon Schiff — opened its first juice bar in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood in August 2014 and quickly established an empire by taking over smoothie kiosks at Chicago-area Whole Foods Markets, according to Eater Chicago. The Birmingham outpost will be the the company’s 13th location and first outside of Illinois.

A representative for the company confirms to Eater that Real Good Juice is eyeing two metro Detroit locations but declined to specify which cities the owner is targeting. The standalone juice bars are expected to open in early 2018 “depending on real estate leases.” The juice bar chain selected Michigan for its latest expansion in part due to its proximity to several of its largest produce suppliers, which include Mick Klug Farm in St. Joseph, Seedling Farm in South Haven, and Greenridge Fruit in Grand Rapids.

Real Good Juice Co. serves cold-pressed bottled juices and smoothies made with regionally-sourced and organic produce as well as smoothie bowls and other health foods. Customers can expect juices such as the Bluice Wayne — a mixture of almonds, blue magik (spirulina extract), vanilla, coconut nectar, and sea salt.

Whole Foods Market locations such as the location heading to Birmingham tend to offer a more limited menu with while other standalone shops may serve a wider variety of food options such as avocado toast, slow-cooked oatmeal, and vegan tamales.

The Birmingham shop is expected to debut this fall.

• All Expansions Coverage [ED]
• Inside Bucktown’s New Juicery Now Open on Damen [ECHI]
• Real Good Juice Expands to Third Smoothie Shop, Whole Foods, & Now Serves Food [ECHI]