Note: This article appeared in the Shreveport Times on Sept. 25, 2019.

Cold-press juices, acai bowls, smoothies to top menu at new Shreveport juice bar

A South California-based juice company is expanding to Louisiana with Shreveport leading with the state’s debut location.

Nékter Juice Bar will open at 9462 Ellerbe Road, Suite 130 in the Camp Forbing Town Center in south Shreveport.

A soft opening period will begin Oct. 9 with an official grand opening to be announced for later in October.

More than five locations are planned to open across the state in the upcoming years.

Franchisee T.J. Markham’s decision to invest in bringing the store to Shreveport was spurred on by his desire to introduce healthier nutrition choices to residents.

Markham, a Bossier City resident, works in the medical supply industry at area hospitals, but he’s wanted to open a business since studying business management and entrepreneurship at Louisiana Tech University, he said. The health-forward juice bar was the ideal melding of his career and personal interests.

“I came across Nékter and it just fit my lifestyle. I like to eat healthy, I like to know where my food comes from, I try to stay active,” Markham said. “I noticed once I changed my lifestyle to be more healthy and active I slept better, I had more energy, I feel better. I want to put my money and my time toward something that I believe in and Nékter caught my eye and I’m 100 percent in with it.”

Nékter Juice Bar offers juices, acai bowls, Superfood Smoothies, and other healthy snacks made with fresh, nutrient-rich, plant-based ingredients.

The company prides itself on being “100 percent transparent” when it comes to what’s in their line of products. The recipes omit added sugars, unnecessary fillers, and processed ingredients.

“When you take in nutrients, the best way to get it in the raw form — raw vegetables, raw fruits — and that’s when your body takes it in best,” Markham said. “With Nékter, everything you do is in a raw ingredient form so your body is only that much better than if you’d cooked it.”

One thing Markham loved right away about Nékter’s products was the taste, he said.

“The team at Nékter put together some great recipes, so it tastes great but there’s no hidden ingredients,” he said. “The majority of it is organic. It’s all sugar-free, dairy-free, and everything is as clean as can be.”

The modern juice bar welcomes guests to customize their orders to fit their individual diet or lifestyle preferences. Items may be prepared as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, low-fat, and low-sugar options.

Customers may order cold-press Superfood-enriched juices and detox cleanses, as well. The juices may be ordered to-go and in bulk.

Staff will be trained to assist guests to decide on what products are best for the results they desire.

“We’re all about helping people to a healthier lifestyle,” Markham said.

The Nékter Juice Bar Camp Forbing site has been completely renovated to stay aligned with the company’s design model. The neighborhood juicery’s environment is cool and inviting with a clean, modern decor, Markham said.