South Tacoma has lost a juice bar—but perhaps only the current version of it.

Intentions Juice & Smoothie Bar closed September 6 after nearly six years at 5236 South Tacoma Way. Founder Marquita Evans told The News Tribune that two prospective buyers had already contacted her about acquiring the business and property. No sale had been completed as of September 11.

That leaves the storefront in an unusual position: closed, but with a plausible path back to life.

Evans opened Intentions in October 2020, when many small businesses were struggling simply to survive the uncertainty of the pandemic. The shop offered made-to-order cold-pressed juices, smoothies, smoothie bowls and juice cleanses, eventually expanding its menu to include soups, salads and sea moss products.

Its purpose, however, extended beyond what went into the blender.

The business grew from Evans’ effort to create a healthier lifestyle for herself. She envisioned a place where customers could become more deliberate about what they put into their bodies without feeling intimidated or judged.

“Intentions is about making health easy for our community,” Evans explained in a profile published by Converge Media in July. She described the shop as an alternative to fast food and a place for honest conversations about health.

The South Tacoma storefront also hosted activities that had little to do with smoothies. Over the years, it welcomed community-healing events, homebuyer workshops, tax-preparation sessions and poetry readings. Local artwork and merchandise helped make it feel less like a grab-and-go counter and more like a neighborhood gathering place.

Running it eventually became difficult to balance with Evans’ other responsibilities. She told The News Tribune that she intends to devote more time to herself and her daughter.

The timing may give a successor an opportunity that Evans did not have when she opened.

Daytime activity along this portion of South Tacoma Way has increased since 2020, bringing more potential customers into the neighborhood. An established storefront, recognizable name and existing customer base could give a new owner a considerable head start.

Whether that person would preserve Intentions or introduce a different concept remains unresolved. Evans has said she would prefer to see someone take over the operation and property instead of leaving the space vacant.

For now, the sale is only a possibility. Evans said any announcement about the business’ future will be shared through Intentions’ Instagram account.

Intentions has served its final smoothie under its original ownership. The more interesting question is whether someone else is ready to pick up where Evans left off.

Read the article in the Tacoma News Tribune here.