Starbucks Opens Evolution Fresh Juice Store in Bellevue

Evolution Fresh, Starbucks' new juice and fresh foods concept, has opened after weeks of mystery at the storefront of  in Bellevue.

Starbucks officially opened the store Monday morning, after speculation on Downtown Bellevue Network's blog and a preview posted Sunday night in USA Today.

The Bellevue Square store is the first. It will be followed by another store in Seattle in the next three to six months, Starbucks officials say.

The concept will be tested and tweaked in the Bellevue and Seattle locations, said Kevin Petrisko, director of operations for Evolution Fresh.

"We hope customers challenge themselves to be creative here, and challenge us through this journey," he said.

Evolution Fresh store offers a juice bar, with eight juices on tap, with frozen fruit available, that can be combined into any combination of juices and smoothies. Prices range from $4.99 for an 8-ounce juice, $7.99 for a 16-ounce juice and $6.99 for a smoothie.

The store also offers a food station that offers healthy options, including salads, sandwiches and wraps, breakfasts—including oatmeal and scrambled egg dishes—and small batch soups.

And, yes, you can find Starbucks coffee—but only Pike Place Roast drip. For espresso, you'll have to go next door to Starbucks at The Lodge.

One thing you won't find at Evolution Fresh is a juicer.

According to Petrisko, the cold-pressed, high-pressure processing system that is centralized at its juice factory in California enables the company to sanitize the juice while retaining the flavors, vitamins and nutrients of raw fruits and vegetables.

The juices and smoothies are sugar-free and have spice options such as cayenne and cinnamon.

Bellevue Square was selected to launch the new concept because of local interest in natural and healthful food options, Petrisko said.

"We wanted to create a new brand that focused on wellness."

Petrisko, who has been with Starbucks for 16 years, said that Starbucks had acquired San Bernardino, CA-based Evolution Fresh, a bottled-juice company that distributed in markets such as Whole Foods. With today's launch, Evolution Fresh and its new logo will be expanded to additional groceries and Starbucks stores.