A new wellness cafe rooted in Appalachian community values has opened along Encinitas’ Coast Highway 101, offering functional beverages and grab-and-go fare in a space its founder hopes will become a neighborhood gathering place.
Juice Holler, at 820 S. Coast Highway 101, opened in late March under the ownership of Kelly Sergott, a Kentucky native and Encinitas resident who spent more than two decades in the corporate event and trade show industry before making her first move into hospitality. The café is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The name draws from the Appalachian term “holler,” referring to the valley communities of rural Kentucky where Sergott grew up. She said the word carries a meaning beyond geography.
“In Appalachian culture, a holler represents a shared landscape,” Sergott said in a news release announcing the shop’s opening. “That idea of connectivity and togetherness has always resonated with me. I wanted Juice Holler to feel like a place people naturally return to — not just for what’s on the menu, but for how it makes them feel.”
The menu is built around organic, all-natural ingredients and is free from refined sugars and seed oils, according to the news release. Offerings include cold-pressed juices, smoothies and smoothie bowls, functional lattes, wellness shots, and a grab-and-go cooler stocked with snacks and salads.
Functional beverages are drinks formulated with added ingredients — such as adaptogens, protein, probiotics or anti-inflammatory compounds — intended to deliver specific health benefits beyond basic nutrition. The category has grown rapidly in recent years alongside broader consumer interest in wellness-oriented eating and drinking.
Juice Holler’s menu leans into the trend, with offerings such as the Ashwagandha + Creatine Power Latte and wellness shots formulated for detox and anti-inflammatory support.
Other standout items include Encinitas Glow cold-pressed juice made with pineapple, cucumber, apple, kale and spirulina, and a Probiotic Salmon Salad served with kimchi and tamari ginger dressing. Future plans include rotating seasonal specials and a healthy waffle bar concept.
The approximately 1,300-square-foot space features communal seating, bench seating along the front windows, a street-side patio, free Wi-Fi, and a hand-painted mural by local artist Skye Walker. Daily operations are overseen by General Manager Hanz Meza.
Sergott, a mother of three, said the concept grew out of her own experience trying to eat well amid a busy schedule. She began developing the idea in earnest about two years ago.
Beyond daily service, Sergott said she envisions the space hosting artisan pop-ups, wellness workshops and collaborations with nearby small businesses. She described her goal as creating a true third space for the neighborhood — one defined less by transactions than by the kind of community ties she remembers from home.
This report was partially written using artificial intelligence, then updated, edited and fact-checked against source material by North Coast Current staff. View our AI policy on the About Us page.
