Through a Local’s Eye - Mendi Bartell
Whether you’re paddleboarding at Baby Beach, surfing Doho, working out at one of the many boutique gyms or studios in the area, or simply enjoying a stroll overlooking our beautiful harbor, you need healthy food to keep you going.
Clean Juice, owned by former technology sales strategist Mendi Bartell, is Dana Point’s local neighborhood organic juice, smoothie, and lite snack café (think cold-pressed juices, smoothies, acai bowls, sandwiches, wraps, salads and cleanses) located in the Prado West district. Mendi, who saw a need for healthy, organic “fast food” in Dana Point, is dedicated to promoting a healthier way of life in our South OC community by delivering customized, hand-made menu items to those on-the-go.
As someone who has worked her entire professional career in corporate America, Mendi decided during Covid that she needed to make a change – away from technology and the corporate lifestyle she had outgrown. Early on in her career, she sold franchises and knew that was the type of business she wanted to pursue. After looking at several concepts she settled on Clean Juice due to the brand’s award-winning reputation and hasn’t looked back. Her store in Dana Point is the fifth Clean Juice to open in California.
For her, it’s been gratifying on many levels. Through her business, Mendi has been able to connect with and meet people who otherwise would have been strangers. Mendi thoroughly enjoys talking with every customer that comes into her store, and as someone who loves to entertain at her home, she has built her business and trained her staff in the way she runs her own private gatherings – friendly and welcoming in a clean, fun environment.
Mendi knows she and her staff are “hosting” their customers for a short time and wants everyone to feel welcomed and connected to something bigger: a small, locally owned, purpose-drive business that provides delicious, nutritious and organic foods to help drive a healthy lifestyle.
Many of Clean Juice’s customers come in with gluten sensitivities (they offer gluten-free options), have children and are trying to sneak in vegetables (smoothies are free for kids 12 and under every Monday with a purchase of $ 7.25 or more!), or tell Mendi and her staff they want to change their eating habits, but are not sure what to do/eat and what’s best for them. Mendi collaborates and refers many of her customers to Dr. Nancy Lin, a local Lantern District resident and Holistic Nutritionist and Dietician. Mendi feels a deep sense of gratitude and purpose by helping people change their eating habits, and thus, their health and ultimately their life.
In addition to her role as owner of Clean Juice, Mendi is an Ambassador for the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce and a board member of Stand Up to Trash, a local non-profit dedicated to the education of ocean sustainability and the effect trash has on our local beaches and fragile ecosystem. An animal lover at heart, Mendi has four small rescue pups and has also volunteered her time at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, caring for sick sea lions.
We caught up with Mendi and asked her to share a few of her favorite things around town.
As a food lover, Mendi enjoys eating her way through our South OC restaurants with her good friends. Some of her current faves include aPizza Doho’s Connecticut-style pizzas, Glasspar’s cocktail menu and oyster bar, Jimmy’s Famous’ Deviled Eggs, and the always delicious menus at Maison or Giana, which never disappoint. In addition, she’s excited to have the relaxed vibe and menu of the newly opened Homeslice a couple doors down, sure to be a local favorite for tourists and locals alike.
With three small terrier mixes and a chihuahua, Mendi enjoys walking any one of the beautiful beach trails along the coast and hiking with her pups. Strands is always great for spectacular ocean views, as is the San Clemente beach trail closer to where she lives – both a fun way to get in some steps and enjoy this outdoor paradise we call home!
Mendi is also an art and history enthusiast. As a busy business owner, she wishes she had more time to spend at our local and far-flung galleries. She’s a huge fan of the Dana Bay Gallery, aka The Elephant Parade Gallery. The owner, coincidentally named Dana, gives a portion of his proceeds to saving African Elephants. At a sip-n-paint event, Mendi even created her very own Clean Juice elephant as a nod to her business. If you haven’t done a sip-n-paint there, Mendi highly recommends!
You can find Clean Juice at 34201 Amber Lantern St. in the Prado West Development and online at Clean Juice Dana Point.
Top: Clean Juice Photo © King Stud Contracting
