Meet Marquita Evans, owner of Intentions Juice & Smoothie Bar in Tacoma and Seattle’s Yesler Terrace.
The juice bar began as a home endeavor to create a healthier lifestyle but then blossomed into a space for the community. Her first shop opened in Tacoma in 2020, and in November 2023, Marquita and her team celebrated their grand opening in Seattle.
Their wide range of smoothies, juices, and smoothie bowls made with fresh ingredients and pure intentions are sure to please, and they also have options for you to create your own!
Learn more about Marquita and Intentions Juice & Smoothie Bar in this week’s business spotlight Q&A!
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What’s your favorite part about the new community your business is in & why?
The Yesler Terrace community has recently been rebuilt and is now providing space for small businesses to flourish!
Why is it important to you and your business that people #SpendLikeItMatters?
As a small business, each transaction is immediately felt. Each customer presents another reason our doors remain open! In small businesses, our overall goal is to serve our community which makes the support of the community that much more important!
What’s something your customers may not know about you or your business?
Opening a juice bar was never the dream or the goal. Juicing had become a part of my daily life and the opportunity to open a space presented itself and HERE WE ARE!
As a business owner, what’s the strangest or craziest idea you’ve ever tried?
Opening two locations at once! Thankfully one was delayed!
What are some of your favorite local businesses and why?
QueenCare– My go-to body scrub!
Black Coffee NW– Darnesha has an amazing approach to how she runs her businesses and it inspires me!
Jackson’s Catfish Corner– Never misses a mark
Elementals Healing Boutique– To see the growth of not just the business but also the owner is remarkable
Blk Sunflower- The company as a whole encompasses luxury
Anything else you’d like us to know about your business?
Health shouldn’t be hard! Our goal is to be an accessible alternative to fast food. Intentions Juice & Smoothie Bar is a retail food service establishment, specializing in organic fresh pressed juice, smoothies and vegan food, in both a sit-down and grab-n-go environment.
Fun fact: You can purchase a Black Black Friday card for 20% off and spend it at both Intentions Juice & Smoothie Bar locations, as well as 100+ other Black-owned businesses in the greater Seattle area!