Photo by Chris Lassiter
Kyle Alston and Sunqueet Pepper made good on their fresh idea.
Now they’ve got the juice.
The friends and business partners launched the TreeHouse Juice Bar at 1116 West Beverley Street. Directly across from Thornrose Cemetery, the former office space is now a spot that offers healthy, refreshing beverage options on Staunton’s West End. “There’s no healthy alternatives on the west side,” Alston said, “so we said, ‘we’re going to do it here.’”
Photos by Chris Lassiter
The two friends grew up 1,275 miles apart, with Alston in New York City and Pepper in Miami. However, there were some similarities in their upbringing - they both discovered their entrepreneurial gifts early. “I’ve always been an entrepreneur,” said Pepper, who has owned multiple businesses. “I used to go to car lots and wash each car for two dollars apiece. It would be 100 cars. I’d do each car and make two hundred bucks.” Alston’s expensive fashion tastes were often outside of the family clothing budget. “My grandfather owned a butcher shop in Englewood, NJ,” Alston said. “I remember coming in, and I’d help him out in the store. I was young. I may have been 5 years old when I was in that store. I’ve just always had the hustle in me. When it really got serious is when mom said she wasn’t buying my sneakers no more. I went and got me a paper route that year. I started selling candy.”
Photo by Chris Lassiter
The two business partners didn’t know each other before moving to Staunton but quickly formed a bond after meeting each other. Alston even helped Pepper launch a Caribbean-inspired restaurant on North Central Avenue in 2018. And, in the corner of the restaurant, Alston had a mini juice bar. “We’re both from cities,” Pepper said. “Wherever we go, there’d be juice bars everywhere.”
In addition to a plethora of fruit-based menu options, the two entrepreneurs wanted to give back to the community. Medical workers, teachers, police officers, military members, firefighters, and other civil servants receive a discount. Pepper said they are looking to do some giveaways as part of an education rewards program in the future. “We just want to let the community know that we’re here,” Pepper said. “We’re just here to support the community.” Alston agreed. “We’re not health nuts,” he said. “We’re just a healthy alternative. We make some good stuff.”
Story and photos by Chris Lassiter. Chris Lassiter is the director of engagement and inclusion at the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge. He highlights businesses for the Staunton Black Business Collective.
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