Use of organic ingredients in smoothies, juices and acai´ bowls differentiates the concept

Former National Football League (NFL) player Anthony Walters and his wife Kait have signed a lease with 28 Walker Development to open the first Clean Juice® franchise location in the Maryland area within McHenry Row, a mixed-use project located on E. Fort Avenue off Key Highway in Baltimore City. The concept, which specializes in açaí bowls, smoothies and juices, is differentiated from the competition with its utilization of 100% USDA-certified organic produce in each of its products. Clean Juice which is expected to open in January 2019 and employ approximately 20 workers, will be located in the space formerly occupied by Ruby 8 Sushi.

“The healthy food category has become extremely popular and, as former athletes, my wife and I wanted to invest in a concept that we both passionately believed in,” explained Anthony Walters, who spent four seasons with the Chicago Bears after playing safety for the University of Delaware. His wife played college soccer for Towson University. “We traveled to North Carolina to sample the products and were completely overwhelmed by the near 100% use of organic ingredients in each of the menu items. We knew immediately that we wanted to bring this concept to Maryland.”

“There exists a great deal of misconception in the smoothie and juices category as consumers don’t really know the consistency of the fruits and vegetables being used,” explained Kait Walters, who will work full-time at Clean Juice while her husband concentrates on his job with NV Homes. “Strawberries and bananas in particular absorb a great deal of pesticides and people don’t realize they are ingesting harmful chemicals. We strive for the use of 100% organic ingredients. When a product is being utilized that is not completely organic, there will be a sign in the restaurant informing customers of this fact.”

Founded by Landon and Kat Eckles, another husband/wife team, in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2015, Clean Juice specializes in an array of products including Açaí Bowls, smoothies and juices. The acai´ bowls incorporate ingredients such as almond butter and almond milk; granola and cacao powder; maple syrup; honey; kale; coconut oil; and fresh fruit including bananas, strawberries and pineapple. Protein and regular smoothies are made with mangoes, strawberries, bananas, apples, spinach and avocadoes. The assortment of juices include ingredients such as beets, celery, carrot, lemon, kale cucumber and orange. Other menu items include almond toast, avocado toast, the power oats bowl and the oats bowl. Clean Juice will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“I first became familiar with McHenry Row while working as in intern with Under Armour and believe people will visit us before and after work, for lunch and after a fitness session at the local gyms,” Anthony Walters explained. “It is extremely upscale, close to major highways and has a built-in audience with the people living in the apartments.”

McHenry Row, a 20-acre mixed-use project, is being developed by 28 Walker Development. It contains 250 apartment units, commercial office space, a Harris Teeter grocery store and complementary restaurants and retailers. Locally-operated tenants at the project are Samos Greek Island Grill, Iron Rooster and Diamondback Brewing Company. McHenry Row III, a five-story, 75,000 square foot Class “A” commercial office was recently completed.

“As former athletes, Anthony and Kait are intense competitors and they know the value of hard work, which will make them successful entrepreneurs,” stated Mark Sapperstein of 28 Walker Development. “We believe in the long-term popularity of the smoothie and juices category and Clean Juice adds another compelling use to the McHenry Row tenant mix. Bringing one-of-a-kind concepts to the development is in line with our goal of creating a unique environment, and one that is not easily replicated. Clean Juice has a proven track record of success in other markets and represents an excellent fit in McHenry Row.”

For additional information about McHenry Row, visit www.McHenryRow.com