Starbucks launches first juice drink outlet

SEATTLE – Now that Starbucks Corp. has covered the world – or at least the United States – with coffee shops, it is branching into Jamba Juice’s territory.

Starbucks opened a juice store called Evolution Fresh on Monday in Bellevue – the first shop in a chain of juice stores, although Starbucks won’t say where it’s opening next or how many it plans to have.

Customers can buy 16-ounce made-to-order juices there for $7.99.

The store has a “juice wall” with eight taps for a variety of juices, ranging from greens to beets to cucumber. An Evolution Fresh employee will blend each drink to order while customers watch.

The shop sells salads, soups, sandwiches and bowls of grains and vegetables. Brewed coffee and tea also are on the menu.

It’s named for a small California juice company Starbucks bought last fall for $30 million.

Founded by a creator of Naked Juice, Evolution Fresh squeezes raw fruits and vegetables at its juicery in San Bernardino, Calif., and sells them in West Coast stores, including Whole Foods and PCC Natural Markets.

Starbucks plans to sell the juice in its coffee shops nationwide, while opening more juice stores.