This weekend I returned to Downtown Crossing for the first time since leaving my job in that neighborhood in December. I made my way down Tremont Street (still sprinkled with blue and red confetti from the Patriots victory parade) and turned onto School Street. Just beyond the Omni Parker House hotel, at the corner of School Street and Province Street, there's a new kid on the block, Thirst Juice Co.
Thought it was freezing outside (a delightful 16 degrees), as I approached Thirst Juice Co., the lemon/lime colors of their sign and window decorations made me feel like the sun was beaming down right onto me.
Inside, the space has an intoxicating smell of fresh fruit. I had forgotten those smells while my nose has been frozen for the last few weeks.
The crates of fresh fruit are on display for customers to see. You'll find all of your senses awakened the minute you step inside.
Each of Thirst Juice Co.'s crates are stamped with the shop's name, a very thoughtful touch.
I couldn't get over how gorgeous these pineapples looked.
The design of the produce crates is mimicked in Thirst Juice Co.'s light fixtures.
The juice painting on the right wall leads you directly to the counter to place your order.
You can order freshly made juices, smoothies, acai bowls or soup, or you can grab a juice to go.
Thirst Juice Co. doesn't have any seating, but they do have a counter that overlooks Downtown Crossing. Right now it's overlooking giant snow banks and the few people brave enough to be out walking around, but in the warmer months, the people watching will be excellent.
After a few minutes getting acquainted with the space, I met Thirst Juice Co.'s co-owners, husband and wife duo Chris Roche and Heather Stevenson.
Before peppering them with questions, they were kind enough to offer me a morning treat. I decided on a smoothie called the Pink Unicorn. You know me, I'm a sucker for cute names or packaging.
Heather got right to work on blending up my unicorn.
The Pink Unicorn is a mix of strawberries, mango, banana, almond milk and protein powder.
I took one sip and my eyes rolled into the back of my head, the way they do when I'm having a nirvana-like food experience. How could something so good for you, taste this delicious? I was instantly hooked.
With smoothie in hand, it was time to learn a bit more about Heather and Chris and their newest endeavor.
PBS: How did you decide to open a juice bar?
Chris: Heather and I were both lawyers, living in New York, when we started to toy with the idea of opening a food business. We don't have any formal training, but we both love food. Heather is a great baker and I really like to cook at home. We've always enjoyed hosting dinner parties and gathering friends to share a delicious meal.
At first, we thought we might open a bakery, but we both lead very active lifestyles, so we started to be intrigued by the idea of a juice bar. We thought, "Why not do something we can feel good about selling to people?"
As I mentioned, Heather and I are both very active - between us, we've run 19 marathons and one ultra marathon - so the idea of providing something healthy, that fits with our lifestyle, was really important to us.
PBS: Why Boston?
Heather: I'm from here. I grew up in Lincoln, MA.
Chris: I have family up in Newburyport, MA. We both have a lot of ties to this area. Plus, Boston has an athletic community that seemed underserved. In other cities, juice bars are on every corner, just like Starbucks, but here it's not as common.
PBS: When did you officially take the plunge?
Chris: We really started to put the wheels in motion in early 2014. We found this space in the spring and signed the lease in June 2014.
PBS: I can't help but notice the ceiling. Was that here when you moved in?
Chris: It was. This space used to be a hair salon. They had all kinds of yellow, fluorescent lighting in here and when we first saw the ceiling in that light, we didn't like it or want to keep it. Once we replaced the lighting, it grew on us, and now the ceiling is actually a great conversation starter with new customers.
PBS: When did you welcome your first customers?
Chris: Our official opening was November 17, 2014. Just before Thanksgiving. One could argue opening a juice and smoothie place in the winter isn't the best idea, but it's actually given us the time to work out some kinks, see what people are liking best and make those tweaks before business picks up in the warm weather.
PBS: Tell me a bit about the menu.
Chris: We recipe tested for months. We really wanted to offer both green juices, for people who prefer that taste, and also super food-packed smoothies.
On the juice side, our best selling flavor is the Buddhabeet, which is beet, carrot, pear, pineapple and ginger. With smoothies, the most popular has been the Bad Monkey, which is banana, almond butter, cacao nibs, cacao powder, dates, coconut milk and ice. People say it tastes like a chocolate milkshake.
PBS: Before coming here, I told myself, I'll be open to trying anything, except something with beets.
Chris: I bet if you tried the Buddhabeet, you'd like it. The ginger adds zing and the pineapple adds sweetness. Let us make you a small one and if you don't like it, we won't be offended.
At this moment, Chris and Heather whip up the Buddhabeet juice while I pray that I'll like it.
Chris: Ok, here you go. Let me know what you think.
PBS: It's such a beautiful color!
At this point, I took a few trepidatious sips.
PBS: First I taste the beets, that earthy taste that I just can't seem to like, but then it finishes with that hint of ginger, which makes it more enjoyable. I'm not yet a convert, but a valiant attempt!
Of all the things on the menu, what are your favorites?
Heather: Bad Monkey! It tastes like dessert.
Chris: The Green Dream juice. I like the less sweet drinks. It has such a clean and refreshing taste.
PBS: What do you hope people like most about Thirst Juice Co.?
Heather: We want our place to feel warm and inviting. We also want to help educate people about what ingredients we're using and what's good for your body. We actually have a blog on our website for just that purpose.
Chris: We want to give people a place to come to start their day off on the right foot or to fuel up after a work out or to just discover a new healthy alternative they haven't experienced before.
PBS: Have you ever thought about taking the business on the road with a food truck?
Chris: We definitely want to expand, whether that's with a second brick and mortar location, or a kiosk in an office building, or a food truck.
PBS: As someone who works in marketing, I have to compliment you on your branding. I just love the font, colors and the overall vibe.
Heather: Thank you. That goes back to us wanting the place to feel warm and inviting. We worked with Jessica Sutton at JSGD and she just totally nailed it.
PBS: Now that you are back in Boston, what neighborhood have you decided to call home?
Chris: We actually live just about a four minute walk from here. It's been great to be so close to the shop, but also to get to know our neighbors. We try to go out to dinner at least once a week.
Also, we have a dog, Riley, and being this close, we can pop home any time to check on her or take her for walks.
PBS: Is there anything else you'd like the Pop.Bop.Shop. readers to know?
Chris: Hmmm. I think we've covered a lot. But before you go, can we offer you a wheat grass shot? It's the most nutrient-dense thing you can order.
PBS: I've never had one before, but when in Rome, right?
Please note that prior to this moment, the closest I had ever been to a wheat grass shot was watching them get delivered to a table on an episode of "Sex and the City." The one where we first meet Smith, when he's a waiter at Raw.
Chris: Ok, I've made you a small portion. This wheat grass is actually quite sweet. It comes from a farm in Rhode Island. If the taste is too much, you can use the orange slice as a chaser.
PBS: Wow! It tastes like . . . grass.
Chris: That is definitely the predominant flavor, but people say they feel immediately more energized after drinking it. Hopefully you will as you go about the rest of your day.
PBS: Thank you both so much for having me. I can't wait to visit again!
A huge thank you to both Heather and Chris for inviting me into Thirst Juice Co. I wish I still worked down the street so I could make their juices and smoothies a part of my daily routine.
You can visit Thirst Juice Co. at 44 School Street, Boston, MA 02108. You can also connect with them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Have you been to Thirst Juice Co.? Which juice or smoothie is your favorite?
