Education is at the forefront of what we do at our stores — to build healthier communities- Catey Gilliam, co-owner of Live Fresh Juicery
A breath of fresh air welcomes a fresh taste in Pittsburgh in Homestead, North Side and Regent Square. And as a celebratory Black History Month season comes to an end and March sparks an energizing Women’s History Month, International Women’s Day and more empowering moments for females, one black-owned AND woman-owned business is making trailblazing moves across Pittsburgh ALL. YEAR. LONG. — Live Fresh Juice Cold Pressed Juice + Smoothie Bar — co-owned by power couple and partners, Catey and Brett Gilliam, ages 29 and married.
Live Fresh Juicery should be celebrated all year long, not only for their roots and identities but also for their mission to fortify the accessibility of healthier food options across Pittsburgh. And their story is why Pittsburgh is lucky to have a fresh taste in nutrition and health education, quite literally.
Homestead native Brett Gilliam had a vision with his wife to open something up in his community that didn’t exist — healthy food pathways. Originally, the couple met at Clarion University and eventually boomeranged back to each other with years-held hopes of opening a business together. Founded in 2019, Live Fresh Juicery conceptualized into reality with its first location in Homestead, PA.
Part of the couple’s mission is to deliver a refreshing and nutritional experience through their 100% natural, cold-pressed juices and made-to-order fruit smoothies, signature açaí + smoothie bowls, juice cleanses, immunity boosters and much more. In the summer of 2021, their second location opened up in the North Side with their third opening this past November in Regent Square.
As business continually hums along, so does their advocacy for nutritional education, one of the beneficial pillars of how they operate as a business.
“Education is a huge part of what we do,” says Catey. “In the past 4 years of operation, any person that comes into our store gets samples of our cold-pressed juices, and we talk them through our menu. There’s a structured process that we follow across all of our stores so we ensure that people can really understand what cold-pressed is and why that is a better option.”
Catey explains that cold-press juicing is a more delicate process than other styles of juicing and this process provides the maximum nutritional value from fruits and vegetables for a longer period of time. The juices can last up to a week in refrigeration, providing a longer shelf life for customers during busy week schedules.
Expanding across the city, Catey mentions, “There is such a vast void in Pittsburgh for these healthy foods and superfoods, especially when it comes to accessibility. We strive to operate in communities that historically lack access to healthy foods and ensure everyone has the chance to experience healthier food options.”
She continues, “Education is at the forefront of what we do at our stores, to build healthier communities.”
Everything that is sourced, prepped and made to order is fresh, vegan and gluten-free. Nothing that comes through the doors at the three locations is frozen. They make their own nut butter, almond milk, coconut and coconut water. There are never any emulsifiers, gums or preservatives.
If you are new to this next level of fresh taste, there are some recommended pointers for best sellers: Green Goddess, a twist on a kale lemonade, Don’t Stop the Beet, which is described as an earthy fruit punch, and finally, the Island Glow, like lighting in a bottle.
The photo-worthy açaí bowls include the ever-popular All-American, drizzled with their extremely popular housemade cashew butter, which now has become a newly launched sub-brand called “Just Nuts.” You can follow their new product @justnutsnaturalbutter on Instagram.
Live Fresh Juicery offers 2oz. immunity shots and a unique sea moss gel that’s partnered with Mossed412. The algae comes from St. Lucia, containing 92 of the 102 minerals that our bodies need to survive. Try the Golden Sea Moss or the Elderberry Sea Moss Gel by eating a small scoop, placing it in hot tea or even using it as a face mask. Plus, the juicery offers four different juice cleanse collections along with a special, show-stopping smoothie inspired by Lizzo. In partnership with Live Nation PGH to promote Lizzo’s upcoming concert, Good as Kale has been a unique, tasty special continuing through May.
Live Fresh Juicery continually shakes up their varieties by creating seasonal tastes, including pumpkin-flavored and holiday-style smoothies. Something fresh is always coming to Brett and Catey’s entrepreneurial minds, providing a fresh take on nutrition for Pittsburgh and its niche neighborhoods.
Be sure to follow @livefreshjuicery on Instagram for updates, product information and more.
