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JuiceLand has returned to the Belterra community with a grand opening and ribbon cutting Friday Oct 18.
The popular store, which offers coldpressed juices and superfood smoothies had originally opened the store in July 2019 but closed it and subleased the space due to the uncertainty of the COVID pandemic, according to store manager Tiffany Stevenson.
“We’re back now open to serve customers and we are really excited to be back in Belterra,” Stevenson said. The store is the newest location in the growing chain which started in Austin and now has 33 locations in the Austin metro area, and 6 stores in Houston and 5 in Dallas.
JuiceLand started in 2001, when Matt Shook, the founder of JuiceLand, was taking a break from swimming at Barton Springs Pool when he stopped at a small juice stand, the Juice Joint, for a fresh carrot, apple, and ginger juice. It was just steps from the pool, and Shook, intrigued by the idea of working at a juice bar, applied for a part-time summer job. That decision would change the course of his life.
What began as a summer job evolved into a career. Soon, Shook was running his own juice bar, which he said helped him connect more deeply with the Austin community and gain a greater understanding of how diet affects health and well-being. Over time, his sense of humor, love of music, and focus on customer service helped build a loyal following.
'I never imagined that working at a juice bar would lead to this journey,' Shook said. 'But it’s been amazing to watch it grow and evolve over the years.'
Shook credits the early success to his team, which he said has remained committed to JuiceLand’s original mission of providing quality service and plant-based options to its customers. Today, JuiceLand has expanded to multiple locations, with sustainability and community engagement as key priorities.
Shook continues to drive innovation in the company, brainstorming new menu ideas, promoting sustainability efforts, and working with nonprofit organizations through Juice-Land’s 'Feel Good, Do Good' donation program. His current favorite drink, the Hempinator, is a variation of one of his first creations, the Originator, now made with hemp milk, acai, and hemp oil.
“Helping people make plant-based choices has been one of the greatest joys of my life,” Shook said. “It’s incredible to see how JuiceLand has become a place where both customers and staff can make positive changes in their lives.”
The new store in Belterra, just east of Dripping Springs is located at 165 Hargraves Dr. next to the T-Mobile store.
