I like Jamba Juice. Most locations are fun and upbeat and even though it's not a true "fresh juice bar" (some is from concentrate and pre-packaged but they do have freshly squeezed carrot and orange juices) all Jamba Juice locations are full of healthy smoothies, yogurts and other tasty blended drinks. Their Whole Foods Market locations (the Milwaukee one doesn't have one, sadly) sell only "natural" drinks with "natural" ingredients.
Anyway, before you start ripping on me for merely suggesting that another "chain" comes to our fair city, hold up and let me explain. I want a juice bar in Milwaukee and even though the Milwaukee Public Market is getting a new one (see my scoop in this blog), I truly think that a Jamba Juice would rock. Plus, they now sell baked goods, too.
Sure, they just announced some cut backs, and according to a May 15 news release, "the company plans to close 10 underperforming company-owned stores in 2008 and terminate seven signed leases for unbuilt stores. At this time, the company is unable to determine an estimated range with regards to the expected charges related to the closures and lease terminations. Jamba is reducing its guidance to 35-40 new company-owned stores in 2008."
Yet, I still want a Jamba Juice in Milwaukee. They already have 726 locations (as of April 22) in 21 states, so what's one more in their portfolio? Plus, Milwaukee's a market that embraces if you treat us well.
You can help, e-mail Jamba Juice's corporate office. Better yet, if you can afford it, buy a franchised store. In the meantime, sample some on your next trip Amtrak trip to Chicago (there's one at Union Station) and enjoy the classic Natalie Portman SNL video below.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
