Health-oriented sisters keep things fresh
The healthier you are, the better you feel and the better your life. That's the tenet on which Live Life Juice Company was founded and has operated on for the last 10 years in Chico. In May, the company is bringing that ideology and its products to Oroville.
Angelina Brittain-Rasmussen and her two sisters, Abigail Rasmussen and Autumn Rasmussen, always knew they wanted start a “health food” company together but couldn't quite pinpoint exactly type of business until 2014. The three had been living in Kauai, Hawaii, and working in the health food industry when, after several years, they migrated one by one to Chico, where they had history and family ties.
Angelina forged the way to the North State in 2008. Autumn followed in 2011, with Abigail right on her heels in 2012.
“We all like to live near each other, and we've moved all around the
globe,” said Brittain-Rasmussen. “I got back here first and was waiting and waiting for them. Once they were here and settled, it was time to make this happen.”
“This” was Live Life Juice Company, a fresh, raw, unpasteurized, organic
juice bar that also specializes in organic vegan sweet and savory foods as well as sauces and dressings. All the business's recipes have been developed by Brittain-Rasmussen, so you won't find anything like Live Life Juice drinks and food anywhere else.
Beyond providing a “good for your body” menu, the company also provides customers “grab and go” convenience at reasonable prices. Fresh, primarily vegetable-based juices range from $6 to $11, depending on ingredients, while wraps, bowls and salads are budget friendly at $7.95 to $11.95.
“Fast food or graband-go food isn't always healthy, and people think that vegetarian and vegan food doesn't taste good. Plus, organic food is more expensive and often classified as a luxury item,” said Brittain-Rasmussen. “I am adamant that healthy food should taste delicious and
be easy to access and affordable. That's what we've chosen to do through Live Life Juice Company: provide delicious, reasonably priced food that you can just walk in and grab, fast and easy.”
A life-long vegetarian with a “passion for juicing,” Brittain-Rasmussen had always lived in places where there were fresh juice bars, where she could grab her favorite drink if she didn't have time to juice at home.
“I wanted it for myself, my family, and I wanted it for the community, so we developed the business from scratch,” said Brittain-Rasmussen.
Live Life Juice Company made its debut in 2014 at the Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday Chico farmers markets. The juice company remains a staple vendor at the Saturday market and a seasonal vendor at the Wednesday market. The company is no longer a vendor at the Thursday market because,
in 2016, the sisters opened their first brick-and-mortar store on 6th Street downtown and are open on market nights.
A year later, in 2017, they moved to their current, larger downtown location on Broadway. Then, in 2020, five days before the statewide COVID shut down, the siblings opened their second store in the Makers Building at Meriam Park. Luckily for the entrepreneur trio, take-out and curbside delivery food fell under the “essential services” category, so the business prospered.
With their business flourishing in Chico and an ever-growing base of customers from Oroville, the businesswomen are in the process of opening a third location in downtown Oroville at 1933B Montgomery Street.
“People from Oroville have asked us over and over again for years and years, `When are you going to open a store in our town?' We're so excited to be able to tell them, `In May,'” said Brittain-Rasmussen. “The more I learn about Oroville, the more I am intrigued. It's expanding. It's up and coming with a lot of new energy
and cool new things. We're happy to be part of that movement and spirit.”
The health food purveyors and their customers aren't the only ones pleased to have this new eatery come to town. Current downtown business owners are eager to receive the sisters and their business as well.
“Downtown Oroville is so excited to be welcoming Live Life Juice Company to our historic downtown,” said Erin Lackey, Oroville Downtown Business Association board treasurer. “Their commitment to their customers and their unique brand and online presence is the exact type of business we are eager to see thrive in our community.”
While exact opening date for the new store isn't set in stone, Brittain-Rasmussen said she anticipates it will happen by mid-May. The best way to keep up with everything that's happening at Live Life Juice Company, including its grand opening in Oroville, is to follow the business on Facebook and Instagram.