10/29/2022
Hi! I’m Loni, owner and operator of Juice Lab. I’ve introduced myself a handful of times over the years, but I wanted to say hello and share some exciting news!
Those of you who know me on a personal level know that I have a passionate drive that keeps me ever evolving. This drive has lead me to obtaining a masters degree in molecular biology, opening multiple restaurants, working with free lance research and development teams, managing a catering company, creating a crafting and local foraging business, serving on different art collective boards, educating the public by hosting hands on workshops and organizing huge fundraising block party events! Many of my professional opportunities have happened by me taking a “leap of faith.” Though most have been supportive over the years, believe me when I say I’ve been told a lot of times, “things wouldn’t work” or “it was time to let certain endeavors go”.
At the height of the Covid pandemic and my separation from my long term partner, I closed the doors of my brick and mortar, not knowing if I would ever reopen. As fate would have it, the community rallied, like it had done so many times in the past, and I was able to qualify of a local grant and make a come back by relaunching as a food truck. Since then I have been nomadically running Juice Lab solely by myself. The struggles have been very real and it has been through shear determination and community support that I have been able to keep Juice Lab afloat for the last two years. This absolutely would not have been possible without the love and support from friends, family and the Denton community believing in me and in Juice Lab. It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life and I can’t even began to describe the gratitude I have.
Once again I have the opportunity to “take a leap of faith” and start a new life with my partner and relaunch Juice Lab in Grass Valley, California. This is not an easy decision. Everyone I love the most lives in Texas. I was born in Texas and I’ve never lived anywhere but here, but my life in Denton has become unsustainable. There is a lack of affordable housing, increase in cost of materials and the wage gap continues to devastate the now almost non existent middle class. I feel it is time for me to rise up from the ashes once again and re-evolve my business and myself.
I love the Denton community and it’s members so very much. I’ve never felt more supported, loved and encouraged than I have by the people here. All my favorite people live in Denton and it is not an easy decision to completely uproot and leave. I hope you all know and understand this.
I love you all and once again I want to say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for all the love and support over the years. Please continue to seek wholesome nutrition that feeds you brain body and soul. Until we meet again, much love Denton.
