By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
PEMBERVILLE—Sol and Kourtney Meyers officially opened STR8 Juice Bar to a welcoming community Saturday.
STR8 Juice, at 135 E. Front St., is the brick-and-mortar extension of the family’s Love Alwayz Foundation and STR8 Juice food truck that has been a familiar and welcome vendor at area events and farmers’ markets.
The newly opened juice and smoothie bar is “a branch of the bigger tree that we have planted here with the Love Alwayz Foundation,” Sol said before they cut the ribbon. “This opening really reflects the growth of our mission: community, access to healthy food, and family-forward wellness.”
The shop is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, but Sol recommended checking their Facebook page as times may change as they test the market and the community needs. (They announced being closed today Jan. 25 due to the winter weather).
The menu currently includes a wide variety of cold-pressed juices, smoothies, smoothie bowls, lattes, herbal teas and other healthy foods such as toasts, bagels, salads, “wrapz” and “wellness shotz.”
The business prioritizes sourcing ingredients from local producers, such as Haslinger Orchard for apples, K&J Farms for honey and maple syrup, and Portage River Mushrooms for mushroom powder.
Using food products from local businesses ensures freshness and quality, and it promotes economic development within the community.
“There is a growing movement of hyper-local sourcing, where businesses intentionally build their supply chains within their immediate community to strengthen the local economy,” he said.
In addition to investing in local producers, Sol believes it is vital to invest in the soil. “We want people to come to taste the fruit, but we also want them to invest in the soil.”
The family promotes the value of active, community participation and foundational work beyond consuming the fruits of their labor. (Read more about their focus here in the previous story by BG Independent’s Robin Gerrow.)
Sol encouraged membership in their Love Alwayz Foundation and participation on their farm.
“The best way to get a return on your investment is to get your hands dirty,” he said. “To have a legacy, you need motivation to keep going, but you also need discipline to sustain yourself,” which was a lesson he learned from his football coach at Michigan State University. The lessons he learned there and his family are the driving force for the foundation and businesses.
“We are grateful to have the opportunity to be in Pemberville. The community has been nothing but supportive of us,” Sol said.
“It’s lovely to see this building used again,’ said Pemberville Mayor Carol Bailey. “We’re getting these storefronts filled, one by one, and we have cars in downtown again, which is lovely.”
She praised the Meyers for the positive spirit they bring to the business and commented that they are among the businesses that boost the tax base in the community and bring people into the town.
“Now, people come into Pemberville for one thing and see there is so much more,” Bailey said. “it’s nice because the shop is open early so people can grab food on their way out of town in the morning.”
“We look forward to sharing our family’s journey with you and to you sharing your journeys with us,” Sol said.
