our roots

Originally from Lima, OH, the owner of Blend Juice Bar, Jesse Derbyshire, has called Charleston home for 32 years. He enjoys spending time with his family, taking advantage of the abundance of outdoor activities afforded in and around Shem Creek. From tennis courts, bike rides, and rollerblading to meals at the Post House Inn and shark tooth hunting on the Pitt Street Bridge, they treat their Old Village neighborhood as a playground. 

Quick Fire Q & A with Jesse Derbyshire

What do you do for fun?

We treat all of the Old Village as our outdoor playground. From tennis, bike rides and rollerblading to the Post House Inn and shark tooth hunting at the Pitt Street Bridge - we make the most of our neighborhood. I also love to create in the kitchen. I learned to cook from my grandpa and now my son has taken a liking to helping me in the kitchen. He’s my sous chef. 

Can you share Blend's origin story?

I wanted to make a healthy living juice that actually tasted good. I was in California, years ago, doing an intense detox, when I learned about and actually felt the benefits of natural foods and phytonutrients. "Living juice" has living enzymes and hasn't been heat treated or pressurized in the bottling process. 

I wasn't a healthy eater as a child and as an adult, I knew I needed to incorporate more nutrients in my diet. Before Blend, there weren’t any juices that were both healthy AND delicious in the Charleston market. I recognized an opportunity to bring the “healthy goodness” to Charleston. Now, Blend uses neither heat nor pressure, and we offer fresh, living juices every day. 

Does your family play a role in your business?

John Colin was three when he started helping out, peeling bananas and greeting customers. One of my favorite parts of Blend is the legacy I'm leaving for my children. While my family isn't involved in daily operations, my parents have played an integral role in its success. My mother’s energy bites inspired ours, and my father’s incredible business sense and work ethic instilled key values in me.

What are your future plans for Blend? 

We hope to partner with like-minded businesses in Charleston to support people on their wellness journeys. We also hope to open a downtown location and possibly franchise, as well. 

Our Love Bites (formerly Blend Bites) have been a local favorite for the past eight years and we're preparing to launch them nationwide.