EYE ON BUSINESS:Juiced for success in Lakewood Ranch

Patrick and Lindsey McCarthy loved their life in Boston, but as they thought about their future, they realized it was somewhere else.

Lindsey McCarthy, who grew up in Lutz, wanted to return to the Gulf Coast, so three years ago, they moved to Jacksonville.

Even so, the McCarthys thought it wasn’t the sunny, beachy destination for which they longed. 

They soon began thinking about moving to the Sarasota area, and finding a place to open a new business.

The found Lakewood Ranch.

“With two little ones (at home), we started our search and we zeroed in on Sarasota,” Patrick McCarthy said. “We already had this business plan in mind. Then, we zeroed in on a good location for the store. Lakewood Ranch seemed like an up-and-coming area. We found this location (at The Green). Everything else fell into place.”

Their cafe opened June 23 at 11577 State Road 70 East in The Green shopping plaza. It is on a side street between Modern Gents and Sirius Day Spa.

The restaurant, which has the tagline “raw-natural-fresh,” is the 16th location for the franchise but the nearest one is in Orlando.

“This will be the first one on this coast,” Patrick MCarthy said. “We love the concept, and the food is killer. We’re going to have to build that brand up, but once we do, the food speaks for itself.”

The cafe offers salads and wraps, acai bowls, cold-pressed juices, smoothies and bagel sandwiches.

Lindsey McCarthy said she loves all the salads and is partial to the “bird” acai bowl and the “Going Green” smoothie. Her husband likes the chicken wrap and the “Chuck Norris” smoothie, a blend of strawberry, banana, peanut butter, chocolate protein and almond milk.

They said cold pressed juices retain more nutrients, so customers are getting health benefits. Plus, acai, used in the acai bowls, is considered a “super food” containing high levels of antioxidants, which are proven to help the immune system, aid in digestion, combat aging and have other health benefits. 

“Everything that can be made in house is — pico de gallo, dressings,” Lindsey McCarthy said. “There’s no preservatives or sugar.”

Longterm, the McCarthys hope to open other franchise locations for 3Natives. For now, however, they are focused on the success of their first restaurant in Lakewood Ranch.

The McCarthys noted it is unusual to be opening a restaurant amidst a global pandemic, but they are confident it will be successful. They hope to draw business from the greater Lakewood Ranch area, as well as from customers at other places in the Green, including LA Fitness and the The Residences at The Green apartment complex within a few minutes’ walk.

“We believe in the area,” Lindsey McCarthy said. “Longterm, it’s a good fit.”

The couple moved to Country Club East in November.