They’re juice the best
Q: Why did Giorgo Mantas and Rob Bohay open Verde Juice Bar?
A: Because they couldn’t concentrate.
Rob (left) and Giorgio/Photo by Mark Tabaquero
The long-time friends had often talked about opening a bar, lounge or café together before squeezing into a tiny Wolseley location on at 887 Westminster Avenue three years ago.
When space opened up next door, they knew it would be a place to blend in.
With the addition of 20 more seats, they’re hoping more people will be grapeful for a chance to go bananas for their juices, smoothies, salads and snacks.
“It’s organic, it’s healthy,” said Mantas, who along with Bohay, spent time exploring the scenes in urban centres in Ontario and California to learn what was happening there and how best to bring something similar to Winnipeg.
We want everyone to feel welcome, at home, positive and nourished.
Giogio Mantas
Verde not just a place to grab a smoothie, but a place to slow down your day, said Mantas.
The pair is committed to using organic and local ingredients whenever possible. Rob has a degree in nutrition from the University of Manitoba that he has put to use in choosing Verde’s offerings, including selections like the Power Kale salad, featuring kale, quinoa, sweet potato, black beans, chickpeas, pumpkin seeds and avocado, all dressed with fresh lime, olive oil and sea salt.
Beets Me Salad – Photo by Marl Tabaquero
If you don’t want a full-sized juice, a two-ounce immunity shot might be the apple of your eye, featuring ginger, garlic, lemon, green apple and cayenne. An anti-inflammatory shot packs the power of ginger, turmeric, lemon and carrot into two ounces.
The duo is also launching a new effort to make their cold-pressed juices available at places including yoga studios and coffee shops. The juice will be bottled in glass, another part of their commitment to reduce the business’ impact on the environment. All of the shop’s to-go materials are chosen to be compostable and biodegradable.
“Respecting bodies, respecting the planet,” both are important to us, said Mantas. Verde is more than apeeling. They are thrilled with the reception they’ve had in the community to date. “We’ve gotten so much support, more than we could have imagined,” he said, including people of all ages and backgrounds. Verde has become a destination. “We want everyone to feel welcome, at home, positive and nourished.”
