Radiant Juice ‘keeping Bastrop healthy’

De Lacey Martin wears many hats as owner of Bastrop’s Radiant Juice and Smoothie Bar at 702 S. Main Street. De Lacey is an herbalist, midwife, and real estate agent for Stanberry Realtors. De Lacey said she also has a strong dedication to seeing that Bastrop “stays healthy” in its eating habits. A quick look around the pleasantly-lighted interior of Radiant – with its multiple products – is evident of that focus on healthy eating. “We’ve introduced herbal teas, tinctures, tallow cream, fermented garlic, and juices designed for optimal health,” De Lacey said. “While we’ve preserved much of what made the (previous) business special, we’ve also expanded in exciting ways.”

De Lacey, who acquired the business in January 2024, said Radiant Juice is a good fit for Bastrop. “Bastrop needed this,” De Lacey said. “Before, there were no other whole-food smoothies or juice options in town, and healthy fast-food choices with gluten free foods were severely lacking. I wanted to ensure Bastrop maintained its healthy presence, and as an herbalist I knew I could elevate this space in a way that blended wellness with accessibility.”

Opportunity Arose

“When I purchased this business in January 2024, it wasn’t originally part of my plan to do this,” De Lacey said.  She said a friend was initially set to buy and open the store, but had a change of mind. “I saw an incredible opportunity and decided to move forward myself (with buying the business),” De Lacey said. Radiant Juice had previously occupied the big yellow house on Chestnut Street that was the former home of the Children’s Advocacy Center. “We received an unexpected call from Johnson’s Bakery,” De Lacey said. Johnson’s Bakery had moved into the space occupied by the previous incarnation of Radiant at the same South Main location. “Johnson’s Bakery had decided to close and mentioned that customers were still coming in regularly asking for us. That space had been specifically custom-built for a juice bar,” De Lacey said. “With the additional bonus of now being equipped for baking, it was the perfect fit for our next chapter,” De Lacey said

Keeping It ‘Local’

De Lacey said she likes to buy local, when possible, and ‘stay in Texas’ when she has to go outside the immediate area for supplies. “We prioritize sourcing our products from local farms and businesses as much as possible, ensuring that our ingredients are fresh, seasonal, and support our community,” De Lacey said. “Our sourcing partners rotate based on availability. They include trusted local farms such as Eden East, Luminaria Acres, and the 1832 Farmers Market, among others.” Additionally, Radiant Juice partners with reputable suppliers such as Farm to Table Texas, Segovia Produce, and H-E-B. “While not all of our ingredients can be grown in Texas, we definitely prioritize sourcing from the closest and most responsible suppliers available,” De Lacey said. Radiant also prioritizes sustainability in its packaging and labeling – choosing small, local businesses such as Sign and Banner on Main Street over mass online retailers. “We work closely with Sign and Banner on Main Street for signage, print materials, and branded merchandise, like T-shirts,” De Lacey said.

“Our long-term vision is more than just serving healthy food and drink,” De Lacey said. As an example, on a recent Saturday, De Lacey decided to host a “clothes swap” at Radiant. People could come in with clothing items to donate, and pick up someone else’s donation, or just pick up an item without being required to donate. It went pretty well, De Lacey said, as dozens of people transitioned through as this photographer was taking photos on that Saturday. “The clothing swap was just amazing. We had so much community involvement,” De Lacey said. “We were also able to send 12 bags of clothes to the local shelter and get several prom dresses for Cinderella’s Closet, a non-profit movement to help girls get prom dresses.” De Lacey said the clothes swap is just one of several ways for Radiant Juice to give back to the Bastrop-area community. “This business is about more than just smoothies and juice; it’s about building a healthier, more empowered Bastrop—one sip at a time,” De Lacey said.

Photos and Article By Terry Hagerty – Contributing Writer