BUSINESS

GilbertSunNews.com | @GilbertSunNews /GilbertSunNews

Coffee roaster likes historic and modern vibes

BY MALLORY GLEICH

GSN Contributor

The bright pink shutters off Gilbert Road in the Heritage District seem to beckon passersby, saying “We have yummy stuff and cool art!”

The shop, called Spce Coffee, represents owner Andy Kemp’s lifelong fondness for the beverage as well as a vent for his creative side.

Inside, the walls are decorated with merch and art pieces from local and international artists. There’s a bright pink wall on one side and pink crates stacked up on the other. It might seem basic; the vibe is anything but.

“As a coffee consumer, I’ve visited many coffee shops from across the Valley. Whenever I travel out of state, I always try to visit as many coffee shops as I can,” he explained.

Spce – pronounced “space” – opened around a year ago and has grown in popularity since then to include a brickand-mortar shop as well as a spot at the Gilbert Farmer’s Market. “What’s cool about the first location is that the building that we are in is over 104 years old. It was the first original bank in the heart of downtown Gilbert,” Kemp said. “So the building holds sentimental value to the city, and we are very proud to be part of it.”

Kemp describes the coffee shop as a physical place but also as an “ideal.”

“Our vision is that Spce can be countless things for people: a place to belong, to be, a place to escape, a destination to go,” Kemp said. “We curate a creative, innovative, unique, physical and virtual space for people.

“We are pushing the boundaries of the physical coffee shop by stepping out of the four walls, delivering a true coffee experience that meets people where they are.” Kemp explained the story behind the name: “Spce has been the name that I nurtured for a long time. I wanted to create a spot that is different and unique, where everyone can relate. I wanted to make a space where I can safely pour all of my heart and creativity into.”

The menu is constantly changing, but guests can find hand-crafted coffee from single-origin beans roasted on-site.

There are also bags of coffee from Columbia, Brazil and Ethiopia that guests can take home. As of right now, Spce is considered a micro-roaster, but plans to expand are already in the works.

Signature drinks include the Rosie Girl (a rose petal-infused vanilla bean latte), Strawberry Chai (a classic chai with strawberry syrup), and a secret drink release in the making of publication.

“Those two drinks will always be our staple, signature drinks, but we also offer specialty and seasonal drink menus,” Kemp said. Other sips include a latte, cortado and cappuccino – plus, there are locally-made pastries like a pop tart and waffle snack.

Kemp said that Spce is different from other coffee spots because they focus on aesthetics, customer experience, and refined digital design.

“We are all about investing and giving back to the local community,” Kemp said. “We collaborate with other local small businesses and artists to bring unique experiences to our customers through curated pieces of art and merch, plus our coffee.

“The more we give to the community, the more they give back to us.”

Spce Coffee will continue to grow in the future, as they have many events, pop-up coffee shops and new coffee/ merchandise releases planned. For more, check out their social media @ spce.coffee or at spce.coffee.

Spce Coffee has a colorful pop-up at the Gilbert Farmers Market. (Instagram)

New Gilbert juice bar stresses holistic health

GSN NEWS STAFF

Anational franchise that bills itself as a go-to spot to boost immune systems has opened in Gilbert. CleanJuice, the original USDA-certified organicjuicebar, opened its newest location at 1555 N. Higley Road last week.

The fast-casual juice bar is owned and operated by health and wellness advocate Sabrina Smith, who for the past eight years has operated her own personal training and nutrition coaching business in Goodyear.

Smith, who received her degree in exercise and wellness from Arizona State University in 2013, said “I have a passion for holistic health, fitness, and helping people and CleanJuicealigns with my goals. “With the delicious, all natural, organic drink and food choices CleanJuicehas to offer, I saw this as a tremendous opportunity to involve myself within the community.”

With nearly 100 stores nationwide, Clean Juice sources premium ingredients for cold-pressedjuices, smoothies,açaí and greenoabowls,toasts, wraps and more.

Made fresh daily, Clean Juice has 10 heavily-dense nutrient coldpressed juices made daily, which are made non-pasteurized and without heat, resulting in no enzymes being damaged.

Also known for superfood add-ons, CleanJuiceoffers fresh, organic spices that can be added to smoothies andjuicesfor added health benefits.

Clean Juice has a rotating seasonal menu where organic products will be at the ripest.

Its acai bowl, called “The Incredi Bowl, has nearly three times more add-ons than any other bowl, with blue spirulina, a high-protein and antioxidant-rich algae, and is topped with fresh strawberries and white coconut chips showcasing a red, white and blue appearance.

While the concept of juicing has been around since the 1970s, co-founders Landon and Kat Eckles discovered a market for an all-organic juice bar and healthier fast-food options. With no existing concept, they created their own store inCharlotte, N.C. in 2016.

Information: cleanjuice.com or call704-918-1217.