Movita moves in as Lion Cafe goes extinct

Movita juice bar has taken over the space of the coffee shop to introduce healthier options to students.

By Monserrat Solis, Co-Editor-in-Chief

The Valley Star/Solomon Smith

The familiar format of the former Lion Cafe welcomes students, but the new menu gives them alternative, healthier choices.

Movita introduces healthier options to students, offering everything from smoothies to acai bowls.

“We slowly want to introduce healthier eating habits to students,” said Store Manager Wendy Ramirez, “eating healthy gives you more energy, better metabolism, state of mind and mood.”

According to Ramirez, the juice bar has been receiving good responses from students. Acai bowls, smoothies and protein bowls are their best sellers.

Movita started out as a small shop in a Northridge gym that quickly grew to eight stores. Ramirez was one of the first employees at the first store; now she manages two.

Other store locations include Reseda, Downey, Valencia and Van Nuys. Two new locations are opening in Long Beach and La Habra soon.

The juice bar was established when one of the two founders lived through a cancer diagnosis with their child. Because of this health scare, the families decided to tackle healthier eating habits. Their idea was based on choosing healthier options – avoiding illness before it starts.

According to a study from the Journal of Nutrition and Health, college students know they should be eating healthier but choose not to.

“Students have a fair knowledge of nutritional requirements for health; however, food choices they make are not necessarily healthy. Convenience and taste of food were priority,” the study stated.

It also stated students have a difficult time – dietarywise – while transitioning to college, especially with “limited” food options on campus.

Ramirez mentioned that she wanted to keep cookies, chips and soda available for students for convenience. She initially kept them at eye level, but decided to move them down when sales decreased.

“Sometimes in between classes, students don’t have time to pick up food,” business major Tatiana Bautista said about having healthier options on campus.

Bautista agrees with having a juice bar on campus but is not interested as she brings her own lunch to school.

Peet’s coffee will continue to be served as an option for students in need of caffeine.

The juice bar is open 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays and is closed on the weekends.