Pensacola Beach's new juice bar offers freshness and convenience with views of the water
Fresh food and drink is once again available at the Pensacola Beach Marina, as the long-awaited restaurant and juice bar, The Squeeze, has opened in the former home of Cumaru Craft & Cocktail Bar.
The Squeeze, open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, serves a variety of items ranging from smoothies and fresh-pressed juices to pita pockets and pasta salads.
Locals, visitors and beach employees alike have quickly embraced the new spot, according to co-owners Kyra Ash and Vanessa Manchego, and have even helped them hit the ground running by promoting their business.
Ash, 23, and Manchego, 24, opened The Squeeze after a year-long journey to realize their dreams. The pair combined their experience in the restaurant industry and their respective culinary backgrounds to bring the healthy concept to life on the beach.
Now that they are on a new path of learning and experience as entrepreneurs, the pair says they’re “living the American dream.”
The Squeeze is tucked next to Little Sabine Bay and serves a variety of fresh foods and beverages made fresh every morning and portioned for the day.
They offer 12 different smoothies, five pressed juices and three Fresca flavors that you can choose from when picking a beverage.
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“(Customers) are so happy because we have fresh fruits,” Manchego said. “They always say ‘they’re so fresh and it tastes like real fruit.'”
Their mango dream, peanut butter, tropical, sunrise and strawberry cream smoothies are some of The Squeeze’s most popular smoothies so far, according to Ash, but the pair is still thinking of ways to add more variety to their options.
Adding in protein isn’t available at the moment, but it’s a popular request by customers and one that The Squeeze plans to fulfill soon.
“We listen to the customers and what they want, except for the ones asking for beer and wine,” Ash said. “It doesn’t really go with our core values ? healthy and liquor is kind of contradicting.”
When asked what sets their smoothies apart from other vendors, Ash and Manchego say they use less sugar, which is also noted by customers, and helps the freshness of their fruit stick out even more.
The Squeeze also serves three different kinds of food: pasta salad, pita pockets and a variety of sandwiches. They crafted some parts of their food menu to ensure there’s something for everyone and dip into what locals tend to like.
“The reason why we have some of these on our menu, like the Italian Style, is I noticed (at) like most sandwich places people always get Italian subs, so we provided that one as a favorite,” Ash said.
As their space grows, they hope that its setting is more relaxed and activity-based, with customers playing games or practicing yoga, rather than focused on dining alone.
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Before opening The Squeeze, Ash predicted they would be known for their smoothies. Still, even she didn’t expect the level of positive feedback they’ve seen during their opening weeks.
Whether you’re heading out on a nearby boat trip or going further into Pensacola Beach, you’ll be able to drop by quickly ? or call ahead ? to place your order as convenience is a priority.
“It doesn’t take that long for us to make it and they’re not waiting here for 15, 20 or 30 minutes for your food,” Ash said. “You come, you order and we have everything ready.”
Beach employees, such as nearby boat charter workers, have found the grab-and-go convenience especially helpful for a quick bite to eat during their break. The Squeeze offers a permanent discount for employees of Pensacola Beach businesses, cruise workers, first responders and medical personnel.
“All the boat guys (have) said they have no options out here because they only have 15 minutes between each boat ride to get something, they don’t have time to go anywhere else,” Ash continued. “They’re glad we’re here so we can provide food for them.”
Some of their other neighbors have also helped The Squeeze promote their opening. Gopher Carts has QR codes for The Squeeze on their rides, helping bring new eyes to the concept and make it easier for people to order.
They’ve also discussed setting up an extension on the websites of nearby boat charters so their customers can schedule an order the night before their ride.
As part of their agreement with the Santa Rosa Island Authority, The Squeeze can’t operate for 179 continuous days in a calendar year, so they’ll shut down in the offseason each year. They plan to operate from March to October.
To schedule an order in advance, call The Squeeze at 850-203-1437.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: The Squeeze opens at Pensacola Beach Marina juice bar and restaurant
