Now Open: KCJuice

Even though Nate Watermeier’s store KCJuice has been open two months, he estimates that “only about .0001 percent of Kansas City even know that I’m here.”

That’s about to change. The smoothie store, located in the new building on Pennsylvania east of the Thai Place/Californos/Murray’s block, is gearing up for the spring and summer, the traditionally strong smoothie months. In addition, customer retention has been high since Watermeier’s prices are cheap. “Ridiculously cheap,” as he says. Most of the smoothies cost around $4 for 24 ounces and that includes one free nutrient. None cost more than $5.

Watermeier is originally from Nebraska but came to Kansas City to attend UMKC. He then moved to Boston where he worked at Jamba Juice and developed a love for smoothies. “I would never bash a place I worked for, but the longer I was there [at Jamba Juice] the more I thought, I could do this and do it better.”