SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Juice It Up, a brand known for smoothies, bowls and fresh-pressed juices, opened a limited kiosk operation inside Cascade Kitchens Food Hall in early December. The location is operating as a three-month test while owners work toward securing the final details for a full-scale store in the north part of town.

The kiosk model allows customers to order at the kiosk itself (or via their app, even the day before), with smoothies and food prepared fresh behind the scenes. While the setup lacks some of the full juicing equipment used in permanent locations, the husband-and-wife ownership team of Rebekah and Don Havard say it serves as a way to introduce the brand, build regular customers and demonstrate demand.

“This gives us a chance to prove the concept and not let the community down,” Rebekah said.

The decision to bring Juice It Up to Tahoe was influenced by nostalgia as much as opportunity. The owners were familiar with the brand from their years raising a family in Southern California, where Juice It Up first launched more than 30 years ago.

“It was always the place we went when we were running from one sports practice to another,” Rebekah added. “Juice It Up was always there as our stamp.”

After visiting family in Southern California, they were reminded of the business and felt it would be a fun addition to the food and beverage scene in Tahoe – an option that combines speed, convenience, healthy food, and a family-friendly feel.

If the kiosk proves viable, the plan would be to keep the location inside Cascade Kitchens, with a possibility of taking over a bay if one becomes available. But the overarching goal is to open their permanent location by summer, potentially sooner.

A full Juice It Up store would include fresh-pressed juices made on site from ingredients such as spinach, kale, apples and citrus, significantly expanding the menu beyond what the kiosk currently offers.

The brand’s menu focuses on smoothies, protein-rich drinks, acai bowls and toast options. Among the most popular items is “The Zone,” a smoothie containing 32 grams of protein marketed in-part toward customers seeking post-workout recovery. Seasonal and limited-time smoothies will also be available on a quarterly rotation.

Toast offerings include strawberry peanut butter crunch, avocado “everything” toast and peanut butter banana toast served on sourdough bread.

In addition to the Tahoe Juice It Up operation, Rebekah and Don are also the same ownership team behind several other local food businesses, including Chicken in a Barrel and The Baked Bear. While juggling multiple concepts can be demanding, the couple credit experienced managers and staff for making it possible.

“We wouldn’t survive without our team,” Rebekah said. “They care about the food, the customers and the environment. That makes all the difference.”

Beyond in-store sales, Juice It Up is also promoting catering, mobile events and fundraising partnerships. The business can provide smoothies for offices, schools and events, including fundraisers where organizations earn a portion of sales. The franchise already meets nutritional requirements for school districts in California.

Customers who order through the app receive loyalty rewards and promotional offers and new users receive a free smoothie for signing up, with additional rewards earned through repeat purchases.

Despite launching during winter – traditionally a slower time for cold beverages – the kiosk has already developed regular customers and the food hall itself has seen increased traffic in recent weeks, particularly from large groups. Rebekah added that the shared space allows families and groups to order from multiple vendors while dining together – a key part of the food hall’s original vision.

“That’s exactly what this space was meant for,” she said. “Everyone can get what they want.”

For now, the focus remains on making the kiosk successful and building community support.

“Our hope is to make this a permanent part of Tahoe.”

Juice It Up is currently located inside Cascade Kitchens Food Hall and Bar in South Lake Tahoe, CA. For more information visit them online at cascadekitchenstahoe.com/restaurants/juice-it-up/ or look for them on their social media channels.