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The Juice Shop in the San Francisco Marina neighborhood feels much like your good friend’s lemonade stand. But a more grown up, healthier version. Through the small window you can select a beverage from the menu of numerous fresh pressed, veggie-filled juices.

While there, chances are you’ll encounter a familiar face—a friendly employee at the walk-up stand, or one of the three founding brothers dropping off product or just hanging out. And guaranteed, they’ll call you by name as you walk by.

It’s this friendly approach to business that seems to encourage passersby to sample concoctions they normally would’ve been appalled by. A “Deep Green” juice may not sound appealing to someone accustomed to fruity, packaged beverages. It’s ingredient list boats six different vegetables: celery, cucumber, kale, spinach, romaine and parsley (with a hint of lemon).

For new visitors, they suggest trying the “A+ Deep Green” or “Bright Green.” Both still include an impressive number of vegetables, but include a bit of apple or pineapple to sweeten things up. After some time spent drinking the sweeter varieties, they’ve found that customers then begin to crave the greens and don’t think back to the dreaded phrase from childhood, “eat your vegetables!”

Based upon personal experiences, the brothers know that a vegetable-heavy juice can do the body good. Nearly ten years ago, Charlie Gulick had contracted a rare liver condition called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. Hoping to forego a prescribed set of endoscopic procedures and a liver transplant, he enrolled at the Hippocrates Health Institute. While there, he was drinking green juice daily and following a raw vegan diet.

Charlie’s family, his brothers Ben and Jake and his mom, happily altered their diets as well to support Charlie’s lifestyle change. The results were undeniable—his symptoms had vanished and a liver transplant was out of the picture.

Now, they each drink upwards of three juices per day. All juices include organic ingredients, sourced from nearby farms (and California produce is top-notch).

If you’re feeling especially ambitious, you can embark on one of their cleanses. They offer four different level options, ranging from beginning to professional, and you’re free to select the number of days.

Whether it be for a full-on cleanse or just a refreshing afternoon treat, The Juice Shop is a spot that should not be missed!

Charlie is wearing the Edgeworth sunglasses in Striped Sassafras and Beckett in Matte Black. Ben is wearing the Crane in Mallard Green.

Photos by Collin Hughes

 

Tags: class trip, Collin Hughes, drink, food