The original spark behind 1:11 Juice Bar was lit in 2018 during a trip to Mattapan, a Boston neighborhood where Bruce “Eric” Thornton spent his early childhood. While visiting his grandmother, he wandered into a new juice spot called Café Juice Up—a place filled with reggae music, warmth, and a sense of belonging. It wasn’t just juice he found...it was inspiration.
By 2020, in the midst of a world changed by the pandemic, Bruce and his wife Emily began shaping a vision of their own: a juice bar rooted in accessibility, community, joy, and nourishment. They imagined a space alive with music, intention, and people who felt good walking in and even better walking out.
One night during that planning phase, they passed a small empty storefront on East Carson Street in Pittsburgh. Sandwiched between L.A. Fitness and GNC, it felt like a sign. Soon after, that space became the first home of 1:11 Juice Bar.
After months of renovation, learning, and late-night hustle, 1:11 opened its doors on April 1, 2022. Shortly after in May 2022, 1:11 also started up a juice kiosk inside of One Oxford Centre in downtown Pittsburgh. Both were meaningful, energetic, and unforgettable. And while those brick-and-mortar chapters have since come to a close, it remains a cherished part of our story. It’s where this mission first took shape in the real world.
But the greater story of 1:11 was already expanding beyond those four walls.
Just a few months after opening, we joined our first farmers market: The Bloomfield Winter Market in December 2022. That single step became a giant leap—introducing us to new neighborhoods, new families, and an entirely new way of serving the community. From there, the markets took on a life of their own.
What started with one winter market grew into a full network of farmers markets throughout Pittsburgh and the surrounding suburbs. Three seasons later, we’ve built a loyal community, moved thousands of bottles of juice, and scaled quickly to keep up with demand. Those markets showed us something important: meeting people where they are—on their blocks, in their neighborhoods, in their routines—is where our mission truly thrives.
Today, 1:11 Juice Bar is a fully mobile-first, mission-driven operation. We serve weekly markets, neighborhood pop-ups, schools, nonprofits, early childhood centers, corporate partners, and community events across the region.
And in 2026, we will aim to serve even more customers through more mobile stops, special events, and catering. Through every season, every transition, and every leap forward, our guiding belief has remained the same: Juice is for everyone. Not just the wellness world. Not just certain ZIP codes. Everyone.
We’re grateful for every person who has been part of this journey—from the early days on East Carson Street to the lines and regulars at summer markets to the excitement of new neighborhoods ahead.
The story continues, and we’re honored to share it with you.