Nekter opens first Utah location in Lehi
Ava Reece prepares a Pitaya bowl on Thursday, May 25, 2017 Nekter in Lehi. SAMMY JO HESTER. Daily Herald
Ava Reece prepares a Pitaya bowl on Thursday, May 25, 2017 Nekter in Lehi. SAMMY JO HESTER. Daily Herald
Fruit is prepared on Thursday, May 25, 2017 Nekter in Lehi. SAMMY JO HESTER. Daily Herald
Elizabeth Peterson helps cut a banana for a Pitaya bowl on Thursday, May 25, 2017 Nekter in Lehi. SAMMY JO HESTER. Daily Herald
Lehi’s Technology Corridor in Silicon Slopes is famous for its million dollar software companies. But it’s also becoming an interesting microcosm of out-of-town flavors.
Nekter Juice Bar is the latest to settle in on Digital Drive of Lehi, bringing another California eatery to Silicon Slopes. Ashley Kearns and her husband Mike partnered with Jason and Julie Mandelaris to invest in the franchise, making their location the first Nekter in Utah. The team hopes to open five more Utah locations in the next three years.
“I tried Nekter a couple of years ago in California. We were in Orange County visiting friends, and every day, I kept going back. It was nice to feel like we’d found something clean and healthy that is not full of sugars,” Ashley Kearns said. “I felt it was something Utah was missing. A lot of concepts here are similar, but none that are all encompassing.”
Kearns said Nekter is unique because it focuses on whole fruit and vegetable cold-pressed juices, sweetened only with whole fruit. Their smoothies are similar, with a bit of agave for sweetening. Their acai bowls have a cashew nut milk base. Kearns said the nut milk is made fresh daily.
“The end result is that it’s very creamy and delicious,” she said.
Nekter’s vision follows her family’s devotion to healthy eating, Kearns explained. Thus, it was a concept she was excited to take on as a business. Kearns has more than 13 years of food service experience, so this seemed like a natural step.
“I know what it’s like to be both a peon and the owner,” she said.
Ashley Kearns and her husband and children live in Lehi, so the city was a natural place to start their franchising journey. She plans to be very hands-on with the company, as her husband and partners have other jobs. Ashley Kearns said she’s enjoyed the experience of developing this company in her hometown.
“It’s neat to start something, and rub shoulders with those in your community,” she said.
The Lehi location is in a soft opening currently, with plans for a grand opening June 21. The team is focusing on perfecting and refining the Lehi location.
“We want this to be a great place you want to come,” Ashley Kearns said.
The Kearns and Mandelaris families bought the franchising rights to Salt Lake and Utah counties, so even while in the throes of construction and training, Ashley said they are already planning to open a second location hopefully by September.
“We’re still looking for spots,” she added.
Nekter was founded in 2010 by Steve and Alexis Schulze, two healthy living enthusiasts who set out to transform the juice and smoothie experience based upon the fundamental belief that “healthy” can taste great, be easily accessible for those on their path to wellness, and be affordable too.
Today, Nekter has nearly 70 restaurants in California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, and Texas, with plans to grow to approximately 425 restaurants by 2020. Utah’s first Nekter Juice Bar is located at 3320 N. Digital Drive, Suite 140, in Lehi.