A new business selling smoothies, cold-pressed juices and other healthy snacks and meals plans to open in downtown Bangor next month.
Justin Dyer and Andrew Davis have teamed up to open Mainely Juice at 34 Main St. in Bangor. Dyer is the founder and owner of The Imperial Connection, a medical marijuana dispensary on Bangor Mall Boulevard, while Mainely Juice is Davis’ first business endeavor.
The business’s focus will be juices and smoothies, but the menu will also include wellness shots, salads, acai bowls, matcha and flatbreads, according to Dyer.
While smoothies are blended beverages made from fruits and vegetables mixed with other ingredients, such as yogurt or milk, cold pressed juices are made from using a hydraulic press to extract the juice from whole fruits and vegetables.
Wellness shots are concentrated juices served in small doses that also include additional ingredients, such as apple cider vinegar and spices like turmeric and ginger. The shots are believed to have nutritional benefits like boosting a person’s immune system.
The pair also plans to sell some products from local vendors, such as bagels from Orono-based Bill’s Bagels and coffee from Farm House Coffee Roasters of Winterport.
“We want someone to come in, grab a smoothie or a quick lunch, and not have to worry about what’s in it,” Davis said.
The idea for the business arose when Davis and Dyer noticed health-focused businesses that supply juices and smoothies were growing in popularity in southern Maine and throughout New England, but the trend hadn’t yet reached Bangor.
“We saw a need that wasn’t being met and think we have the experience to fill that gap,” Davis said. “We’re also really excited to be part of the downtown Bangor community.”
The business partners also feel people are becoming more aware of their health, and demand for fresh, nutritious food made from locally sourced ingredients is growing across the state
“As a dad and someone who used to be a chef, I care about health and nutrition, and it’s something Justin takes a lot of pride in too,” Davis said.
Dyer’s lease on 34 Main St., which now holds Birds and Bones Tattoo Studio and Art Gallery, began on Monday. The pair will be refurbishing the space to fit their needs, and is in the process of hiring three to five employees.
Dyer and Davis aim to open Aug. 1. Though the pair would like to expand the business in the future, Davis said they’re first going to focus on getting established in the downtown Bangor marketplace and “being someone’s go-to.”
