Beyond Juice restaurant announces plans to close on East Liberty in Ann Arbor

Posted on Wed, Dec 8, 2010 : 3:05 p.m.

Beyond Juice reopened on Ann Arbor's East Liberty in late January - but the effort will last less than a year.

The smoothie restaurant - known for its "meal in a cup" - will close on Dec. 17.

A store employee said the shop "is just going out of business."

Plymouth residents Maureen and Michael Policella took over the store at 529 E. Liberty St. in January. It had been open under previous ownership since summer 2008. Original sales projections for the Ann Arbor location were up to $50,000 per month.

The Policellas tried to place a greater emphasis on raw juice as they repositioned the store. The menu also included smoothies and sandwiches.

During the summer, Bona Coffee announced that it was opening its first location in Ann Arbor in a portion of Beyond Juice. That co-branding attempt never took place.

Employees said they're preparing some promotional events as the restaurant prepares to close, offering specials to customers as the staff uses up supplies.

The Beyond Juice corporate structure has faced court challenges, according to bloggers who track the chain and its franchisees.

The space on East Liberty, located in the Michigan Theater Building, is 1,850 square feet.