(Photo by Lala Photography)

A new local business is getting a little “juicy” in Winona Lake. The business, called 47 Twelve after a passage in Ezekiel, has opened in the Garden at Cerulean and is offering a new take on local beverages.

According to Owner Eric Wolfe, the business offers a variety of health conscious flavors, utilizing as many local ingredients as possible. Though the business opened recently, Wolfe notes his plans to open the juice bar began over a year ago.

“About a year and half ago, I was talking to a friend of mine about how much I wanted to have a location where people could be encouraged or enriched in some capacity. But because there are too many coffee shops, and I didn’t want to do a soda pop place or anything like that, a friend of mine suggested a juice bar and as soon as I heard that I thought — that is exactly right. Through the community and other factors I came to realize the need for a juice bar that had a sense of community and communication,” explained Wolfe.

The juices, which focus on promoting a holistic healthiness, are both filling and delicious. From flavors including spinach and jalapenos to beet juice with ginger, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Wolfe notes that though he wants to create a healthy drink for guests, he also focuses on ensuring the juices are “tasty.”

“I want people to have to be holistically healthy. I don’t care if they get juice here, they can juice at home. I believe in consuming the nutrients that have been provided for us by nature. I also want it to be tasty… So if I can mask spinach with some jalapeno or beet juice with ginger, that’s what I’ll do.”

While the drinks are important to Wolfe, he also stresses the importance of community at his business. As guests come in to sample beverages, Wolfe makes a personal connection with them, encouraging others to question his products and their benefits. He also hopes to create a space where anyone can feel free to spend time away from the stresses of life.

“I want everyone who leaves to feel like they can gather here for whatever reason, whether it is to play cards or just hang out. They can talk about philosophical concepts or the NBA playoffs here. Or, if they want somewhere to be that isn’t their commitments in life, a place to get away for one hour or five minutes.”

Though Wolfe has developed the flavors and business model, he notes 47 Twelve could not exist without the help and support of others, including Caleb and Courtney France, owners of Cerulean where the business is operating from.

“It was as simple as talking to Caleb, (I said) I’d like to do this, and he was like, ‘How can I help you do it.’ I want to thank the Frances and the Wildmans for proactively helping me bring this dream to fruition You not only gave me a place to do this, but proactively helped facilitate this dream.

“The thing that I would love for people to know the most is that it would be a moral irresponsible to not give credit to God for facilitating this process through an incredibly supportive community and group of businesses,” stated Wolfe.

47 Twelve is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Juice sizes vary from 8 ounces, 16 ounces to a flight were guests can try all flavors. Visit 47 Twelve to learn more or visit the business’s Facebook page.