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"For juicers and organic coffee lovers"
Left of Center with Joshua Maloni
The third and final unit of Barbara Crouthamel's Center Street complex is now open. The owner/operator of Lovin' My Bags and Naturally Organics debuted 700 Center Street Juice Bistro and Café earlier this week.
Crouthamel said it's a place for people to enjoy a healthy drink or snack, listen to live music or attend a book signing or similar event.
Her eatery is both chic and comfortable, with plush white chairs and clear glass tables along the walls, black and maroon leather chairs and black and white backless seats up front.
"I think the community is super-thrilled to have this option here," Crouthamel said.
The highlight of the all-natural bistro is, of course, its drinks.
Sixteen-ounce smoothies ($5.95) include "Detox Green," a blend of spinach, kale, mango, banana and fresh ginger; "The 700 Tropical," which mixes blueberry, pineapple, mango and ginger; "Strawberry Banana Twist," which unites the title ingredients with mango, yogurt and nectar; and the "Spicy Avo-Coco," which pairs spicy chocolate with avocado, banana and yogurt.
Twelve-ounce juices (also $5.95) include "Workout Blend" (red apple, beet, celery, lemon juice), "Skin Cleanse" (cucumber, apple, melon, ginger), "Lovin My Greens" (green apple, kale, celery, lime) and fresh squeeze organic orange or orange and pomegranate juice (this is $4.75).
Crouthamel said she wanted to introduce a healthy line of products to complement the organic skin care products she sells in her middle unit.
"Just talking to people that I run into, there seems to be a real desire for a healthy lifestyle," she said. "The juice bar ... was one that they really seem to want."
"It was kind of a natural progression from Naturally Organics skin care and soaps to the juice bar," Crouthamel added.
The café also offers organic tea, hot chocolate, and coffee made with top-of-the-line Technivorm Moccamaster Handmade brewers (prices range from $1.45 to $2).
"The coffee's really good," Crouthamel said. "We have great reviews on the coffee."
Employee AnnMarie Destino said, "It's very clean-tasting."
"It's rich," she explained. "You know how sometimes coffee has that bitter aftertaste? You don't get that here. It's very clean. Smooth. It tastes like how coffee should taste."
Co-worker Tina Watts added, "It doesn't have that bitter burnt taste or that watered-down taste, either."
To the java, customers can add agave honey or almond milk, which should please those looking to avoid artificial sweeteners, dairy or gluten.
"We want to be a health destination for Lewiston," Crouthamel said.
Fresh food choices include soup, salad, fruit and almonds.
The menu will change according to the season, based on what's "ripe and ready," Crouthamel said.
The Juice Bistro and Café is available for private events Monday and Tuesday evenings. Clubs and organizations looking to reserve the place for after-hours meetings or social events can call 716-429-5466 or email [email protected].
The eatery will host live music Wednesdays and Thursdays, from about 5 until 8 p.m. Regular café hours are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. weekends.
Barbara Crouthamel is shown inside 700 Center Street Juice Bistro and Café.