Regeania Coleman, Jungle Juice Bar

6/2/2014
Regeania Coleman, Jungle Juice Bar - News Features - Detroit Metro Times
ABOUT MT ADVERTISE CONTACT
Like
RSS FEEDS
Get our issue, highlights, free stuff and more!
47k
BLOGS NEWS ARTS + CULTURE MUSIC WATCH EAT HOROSCOPES CALENDAR CLASSIFIEDS SLIDESHOWS
ANNUAL MANUAL
Like
64
Tw eet
4
BLOWOUT
FACEBOOK
0
TWITTER
2
INSTAGRAM
PRINT
BEST OF DETROIT
FREE STUFF
CAREERS
CLUBS
MMJ
ADULT
TRENDING
EM A IL
100 THINGS ALL DETROITERS SHOULD DO
BEFORE THEY DIE Our Detroit bucket list. |
ON THE STREET
1/28/2014
Regeania Coleman, Jungle Juice Bar
There's something that both Grosse Pointe residents and Detroiters have in common —
they could both benefit from affordable health food.
By Tyler Martin
PUBLISHED: MAY 27, 2014
“You should not have to be wealthy to eat
healthy,” says Regeania Coleman, owner of Jungle
Juice Bar in Grosse Pointe Park. JJB is a green
beacon on a street shared with Ye Olde Tap Room
and Albatross Embroidery. It’s an area where the
transition between Grosse Pointe and Detroit is a
stark walk across Mack Avenue, where visible
economic disparities define the region. Coleman,
however, finds something that both sides of the
street have in common: They’re communities that
can benefit from better access to affordable health
food.
“I think we’re located perfectly because you have the Grosse Pointers and the Detroiters,” she says. “This is
the problem … there aren’t enough viable foods within a certain square-mile radius. The impact on our health
is that people with bridge cards or food stamps are going to gas stations, drugstores, and places that have
junk food.”
Coleman is from Detroit, born and raised, so she speaks with an earnestness that demonstrates an intimate
understanding of the city’s problems. World traveler, health food intellectual, and an active part of a
community that she’s expressed love for, her presence in many ways is what the area needs.
The JJB concept was conceived after Coleman was laid off from her previous job, and when the
entrepreneurial doors opened up for her, she quickly stepped through. “I thought about opening a juice bar
because it was in line with my lifestyle,” she says, recounting that, in her 20s, she was an active jogger with
low iron and energy levels. She turned to juicing to amp up her health after discovering that she was allergic
to the vitamins she needed. “The juicer became my oven,” she says.
Along with promoting health and the environment, Coleman has embodied a steadfast commitment to the
local community; a type of commitment that she thinks could change Detroit if other businesses adopt it. “If
every business in Detroit were to adopt their block, and say, “This block — this block right here — is going to
be clean, it’s going to be beautiful, it’s going to be safe,” if every business in Detroit did that, we could
renovate,” she says.
“We could probably turn Detroit around, the crime and blight, within a month. One month. Just by cleaning
up the front of a business, beautifying it, and saying, “This area right here is going to be clean, safe, and
bright so when the customers come they’ll feel safe.” … It would be a real makeover.”
http://metrotimes.com/news/news-features/regeania-coleman-jungle-juice-bar-1.1693428
HOROSCOPES (MAY 28 — JUNE 3) Your
weekly readings. | 5/27/2014
DAN SAVAGE DELVES INTO THE CUCKOLD
FETISH Take my wife, please. | 2/19/2014
TAKE A LOOK AT DETROIT'S ROBOCOP STATUE
Part man, part machine, all pop art. | 2/5/2014
ARCHITECTURAL SALVAGE WAREHOUSE OF
DETROIT | 5/28/2014
BAGGER DAVE'S OPENS FIRST DOWNRIVER
LOCATION Bigger and Bagger. | 5/27/2014
FILM REVIEW: MALEFICENT Disney manages
to make a beloved fairy tale boring and trite. |
5/29/2014
ACCESS HOSTING JOB FAIR WEDNESDAY
FEATURING OVER 40 EMPLOYERS
Dearborn-based ACCESS, an Arab-American
human services nonprofit, will sponsor a job
fair inFORCE
DetroitRELEASES
Wednesday.
ACCESS
says more
TASK
MAP
OF DETROIT’S
than 40 employers will be featured from a
BLIGHT
vast array of fields, including education,
The
Detroit
Blight
Removal
Task
Force,
an
banking,
human
services
and
more
— “with
effort
between
the
Obama to
Administration
and
several
hundred
positions
fill.”
the
city of Detroit,
released
a
331-page
report
GALARRAGA,
FOUR
YEARS
… Quicken
Representatives
from
AAA,ON
Meijer,
detailing
the
extent
of Detroit’s
blight last
Loans, a
the
Detroit
Police
the
Here’s
bitfull
of talk
forrecommends
theDepartment,
water cooler
today:
week.
The
report
the MGM
Navy,
U.S.
Customs
and
Border
Patrol,
Lest
we forget,
it wasproperties
four years
ago atthe
demolition
of
40,000
within
Grand
Detroit
Bank of Galarraga
America,
Comerica
Parkcasino,
that
HEY
HEY,
THE
MONKEES
LIVE
DETROIT
next
fivethe
years
— anArmando
effort
theIN
report
Lowe’s,
University
of Michigan,
and
pitched
what
should
have
gone
down
in
estimates
would
cost
at
least
$850
million.
The
more
are
expected
to
be
onsite.
“We’re
hoping
Much
has
been
written
about
the
Monkees
history
as amade
perfect
game.by
Unfortunately,
a
report
was
possible
volunteer
efforts
this
event
helps
the
people
in
the
community
over
the
years
but
much
of
it
has
been
illflubbed
by umpire
Jim Joyce
robbed
from
thecall
Motor
Cityfor
Mapping
project,
and
others
looking
Chet Pitts,
informed
and
based
on work,”
rumor
rather
than
DETROIT
GRAND
PRIX
Galarraga
of
honor.
In Detroit.
baseball,
we all
conducted
bythe
Data
Driven
Aas
team
of
business
employment
services
representative
fact.
The
biggest
slight
that
has
been
know,
the
umpire
is
always
right.
(Except
more
than
150
resident
volunteers
collected
The
last
day
of
the
Detroit
Grand
Prix
is
at
ACCESS,
said
in
a
statement.
“I
look
repeatedly
thrown
at the
band is that
it isn’t
when
isn’t.)
But
the
American
pastime
is a
data inhe
ato
process
the
report
dubs
“blexting”
today!
race
driver
Ryan
forward
helping
Detroiters
become
aware(a
really
aProfessional
band
at all,
just
acar
group
of actors
mostly
civil
one,
and
Joyce’s
tearful
apology
portmanteau
ofopenings
“blight”
and
“texting”
…
ugh),
Briscoe
was
kind
enough
to
give
media
folk
of
TONIGHT
the
exciting
AT
5E
GALLERY!
available
in
our
plopped
together
for
a game
TV show.
It’s volumes
also often
to
Galarraga
after
the
speaks
using
a mobile
app
toare
photograph
and
survey
like
me
aCandidates
cruise
around
the
track.
HOLY
region.”
asked
toplay
bring
said
that
the
guys
could
barely
at are.
all. As
about
what
class
acts
they
both
really
properties.
Tonight
we
The
celebrate
full
report
the
5th
can
anniversary
be
downloaded
of
FAST
TRACK!
Who
needs
beer
when
multiple
copies
of admitted
their resume
and be
Peter
Tork
freely
on stage
inyou
Detroit
here.
the
5e
Gallery,
celebrating
Women
in
Hip
have
speed?
I
think
I’m
hooked.
You
can
prepared
to
interview
with
The
on
Friday
post GALARRAGA,
night,
the Monkees
FOURrecruiters.
YEARS
were put
ONBesides
…
Hop!
Goin
down
all day
and
into on
theBelle Isle.
check
out
the
Grand
Prix
today
the
fair,
ACCESS
says
representatives
appeared
together
by
first
big-wigs,
on
METRO
fair TIMES
enough.
BLOGS
Maybe
. it’s
Thejob
post
TASK
FORCE
MAP
OF
morning.
Check
it out!RELEASES
from
Eastern
Michigan
University,
the
also
true
that
initially,
a
couple
of
them
only
DETROIT’S
BLIGHTGRAND
appeared
first
on
METRO
The
post
DETROIT
PRIX
appeared
first
Detroit
Local
Training
Center,
other
local
had
rudimentary
of and
their
TIMES
The
post
BLOGS
TONIGHT
. knowledge
AT 5E
GALLERY!
appeared
MARK
NEIL
on
METRO
TIMES
BLOGS
.
colleges
and
universities
will
be
available
to
instruments.
But
man,
did
they
turn
it
around.
first on METRO TIMES BLOGS .
meetmany
with
prospective
students.
The
fair is
From
someone
calling
MRA's
Like
other
pop bands,
some
of terrorists
the
free and
to the
public.
It’s
scheduled
to
foropen
wanting
to
discuss
the
issues they
Monkees
hits
were
written
by
outsiders.
But
run imaginary
from
10 a.m.
topost
2 p.m.
Wednesday
at and
face,
your
sounds
adid
lotbond,
like
the
TV
band
really
Fellowship
inaChapel
at 7704
W.
projection
toband
me.
"Iwith
will
beOuter
armed
they became
real
real
upsDrive
and in
Detroit.
human
you."
Yeah,
downs.against
And they
havetrash
songslike
by the
barreland
WErecent
are the...
full. The
most
big downer was
The
post ACCESS
HOSTING
FAIRarguably
obviously
the death
of DavyJOB
Jones,
WEDNESDAY
FEATURING
OVER
40
DETROIT
“MEN’S
the most popular memberRIGHTS”
of
the band.
EMPLOYERS
appearedPROTESTS
first on METRO
TIMES
CONFERENCE,
PLANNED
IN
Perversely, it kind of paved the way for the
BLOGSWAKE
.
OF SANTA BARBARA · 23
return of Mike Nesmith. In Detroit, the three
MINUTES AGO
men go out of their way to not mention Jones’
1/4
6/2/2014
Regeania Coleman, Jungle Juice Bar - News Features - Detroit Metro Times
In addition to a strong community ethic, Coleman also dreams of having the best customer service around.
She recounts a work-study trip to Japan that changed her life when she saw how the servers at a club seemed
to bend over backward to make her night more convenient and enjoyable. Now she bases her own service
model on that, accommodating customers with numerous samples, personalized drink recommendations,
and an immaculate environment. Here’s a tip: If you’re a new face, be sure to tell her you’ve never been there
before.
Her hospitality makes sense when she recalls an experience with a man who eagerly anticipated JJB’s grand
opening. The man walked in on opening day and dropped a $5 bill on the counter. When Coleman asked him
if she could fix him a smoothie, he replied “Nope. I don’t want anything. I’ll come back and get a drink, but I
don’t want anything. This is for you, to contribute to your business. Just promise me you’ll succeed.”
“I was moved to tears,” she says. “And then I felt a certain amount of pressure because I thought, ‘Failure is
not an option.’” Despite the lag of the winter season, Coleman doesn’t appear to be worried about the future
of the business. “I just want to be part of the group that builds Detroit.”
Jungle Juice Bar is located at 14929 Charlevoix St., Grosse Pointe Park; 313-571-3075; jjbmich.com
Follow @TylerxMartin
> Email T yler Martin
STEVE BRULÉ
Spoken like a true feminist.
I'll take Men's Rights for the win ...
Equality will never go out of fashion!
DETROIT “MEN’S RIGHTS”
CONFERENCE, PROTESTS PLANNED IN
WAKE OF SANTA BARBARA · 1 HOUR
AGO
NICOLE
Brett - Your review could have been
written by me. I agree with absolutely
everything, especially the seemingly
deliberate way they didn't mention
Davy by name. He was/is my favorite
and the only...
HEY HEY, THE MONKEES LIVE IN
DETROIT · 1 HOUR AGO
RIKU
Just out of curiousity, do you have any
sources to back the 90% claim up?
Where can I find them? And perhaps
also all the other things you accuse the
men's rights movement of. But the
above would...
DETROIT “MEN’S RIGHTS”
CONFERENCE, PROTESTS PLANNED IN
WAKE OF SANTA BARBARA · 1 HOUR
AGO
DEAN ESMAY
Teenaged boys are raped about as often
as teenaged girls, and they are far
more likely to commit suicide than
teenaged girls. Perhaps if you spoke to
us like human beings you could learn
about...
DETROIT “MEN’S RIGHTS”
CONFERENCE, PROTESTS PLANNED IN
WAKE OF SANTA BARBARA · 2 HOURS
AGO
CALENDAR
CALENDAR
Search thousands of events in our database.
◀ MAY | JUN | JUL ▶
Date selected
2
Showing events
from June 2.
Click for more.
PUNK VS. NEW WAVE
DJ, MUSIC, EVENTS
http://metrotimes.com/news/news-features/regeania-coleman-jungle-juice-bar-1.1693428
2/4
6/2/2014
Regeania Coleman, Jungle Juice Bar - News Features - Detroit Metro Times
6 Comments
Metro Times
Login
Sort by Oldest
Share
WOMEN WHO ROCK
Favorite
Join the discussion…
frankthemurph
•
RESTAURANTS
5 days ago
Search hundreds of restaurants in our database.
"It’s an area where the transition between Grosse Pointe and Detroit is a stark walk
across Mack Avenue"
Mack is nowhere near here. How about Alter Road, which is just a few steps away?
1
• Reply • Share ›
healthnut
•
Restaurant Name
SEARCH
City
5 days ago
@frankthemurph actually Mack is just a few blocks away... but back to a relevant point,
this is a great place with a welcoming environment and great drinks, food and service!
5
Cuisine
> Find more restaurants
• Reply • Share ›
frankthemurph
NIGHTLIFE
healthnut • 5 days ago
Search hundreds of clubs in our database.
Inaccurate journalism is a relevant point. The closest border with Detroit is Alter,
not Mack.
• Reply • Share ›
Type
Edythe Ford
Bar/Club Name
frankthemurph • 4 days ago
That's petty and it keeps unwarranted animosity and division in our
region. Back off.
1
SEARCH
City
• Reply • Share ›
> Find more nightspots
GP For Life
5 days ago
•
If you haven't tried this place, I highly recommend it. Everything on the menu is great
and the service is fantastic. Everything is made fresh right in front of you.
Tweets
Great business and great people.
2
• Reply • Share ›
Tyler Martin
•
5 days ago
• Reply • Share ›
WHAT'S THIS?
About those empty Royal Oak
storefronts
Detroit “Men’s Rights” conference,
protests planned in wake of Santa …
22 comments • 3 days ago
276 comments • 5 days ago
Guest — Royal Oak is so over. The
Steve Brulé — Spoken like a true feminist. I'll
"coolness" has been moving south to
Ferndale and south of 8 Mile; Midtown …
take Men's Rights for the win ... Equality
will never go out of fashion!
RoboCop Day to Honor Detroit Cops
Suburban oil drilling in Rochester Hills
1 comment • 4 days ago
8 comments • 5 days ago
13m
ACCESS hosting job fair Wednesday featuring
over 40 employers
blogs.metrotimes.com/news-blawg/acc…
#detroitjobfair #ACCESS
Detroit Metro Times
@metrotimes
ALSO ON METRO TIMES
Dvs — ED209...help us!
Follow
Detroit Metro Times
@metrotimes
@frankthemurph Grosse Pointe Park's northwest border is Mack Ave and the
southwest border is Alter Road. There's nothing inaccurate about it. The word "area" is
just interpretive like that.
1
MT ON TWITTER
1h
Task force releases map of Detroit’s blight
blogs.metrotimes.com/news-blawg/373…
#thisisdetroit #detroitblight #obama
pic.twitter.com/QIwroOBt3N
Tweet to @metrotimes
justthefacts27 — Dude - you're clearly
obsessed with the enviro-hippies at the
DNR. People that actually follow the …
Subscribe
Add Disqus to your site
MT ON FACEBOOK
http://metrotimes.com/news/news-features/regeania-coleman-jungle-juice-bar-1.1693428
3/4
6/2/2014
Regeania Coleman, Jungle Juice Bar - News Features - Detroit Metro Times
Metro Times Detroit
Like
Metro Times Detroit
14 mins ·
The Monkees were in Detroit on Friday
and we were there.
Hey Hey, The Monkees
live in Detroit - Metro
Times Blogs
47,120 people like Metro Times Detroit.
Facebook social plugin
Metro Times
CONTACT MT | ADVERTISE | NATIONAL ADVERTISING | WORK HERE
1200 Woodward Heights Blvd
Ferndale, MI 48220
Main: (313) 961-4060
Advertising: (313) 961-4060
Classified: (313) 962-5277
NEWS
News+Views
Politics & Prejudices
News Hits
Stir It Up
Higher Ground
BLOGS
Music Blahg
News Blawg
Reckless Eyeballing
The B-Roll
Eat Blog
BEST OF DETROIT
Best of Detroit
All parts of this site Copyright © 2014 Detroit Metro Times.
MUSIC
Music Homepage
Album Reviews
Add Music Event
Search Music Events
ARTS
Arts Homepage
Book Reviews
CULTURE
Culture Homepage
Savage Love
Motor City Cribs & Rides
WATCH
Watch Homepage
Film Reviews
SPORTS
Sports Homepage
EVENTS
Calendar
Search Calendar Events
Enter Calendar Event
Art
Auditions
Comedy
Community
Dance
Film
Fun for all
Holiday
Issues And Learning
Music
Shopping
Sports
Theater
FOOD
CLASSIFIED
Classified Home
Place Ad
Jobs
Services
Stuff For Sale
Massage
Personals
Adult
AUTOMOTIVE
Cars, Trucks+More
Services
REAL ESTATE
Real Estate
For Rent
Roommates
ARCHIVES
Search Archives
Search Authors
Search Issues
Latest Comments
GET OUR NEWSLETTERS
Enter your email address to get our
weekly emails.
Join
METRO TIMES STUFF
Win Free Stuff
Slideshows
Velvet Rope Photos
Event Photos
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
RSS FEED
Full Feed
Food Homepage
Find a Restaurant
CLUBS
Find a Club
http://metrotimes.com/news/news-features/regeania-coleman-jungle-juice-bar-1.1693428
4/4