New salad bar takes root in Plant Street Market

Plant Street Market’s Press’d Juice Bar & Kitchen has some new additions to its menu.

The family-owned vegan/vegetarian juice bar now offers build-your-own salads and fresh-baked breads. The breads are sourced from three local bakers, and the salad ingredients are locally sourced whenever possible, co-owner Deborah Hirschhorn said.

“We wanted an organic salad bar (for) people (who) seemed to be looking for healthy options,” Hirschhorn said, adding that she wanted to also offer bread because the bakery in the market closed down. “We knew that there was a need for gluten-free (bread) in addition to some vegan (bread) and … traditional (bread) as well, so that there’s something for everybody.”

Hirschhorn said before the bakery closed, the baker told her where he got his bread and gave her some suggestions. She also said one of the reasons she wanted to have a build-your-own salad bar is to accommodate different eating habits and diets, such as keto, gluten-free or vegan diets.

“There’s so many different styles of eating, and so by creating their own (salad), they can really customize it,” Hirschhorn said. “We try to give them a variety and offer some things that are not as typical on salad bars and try to keep it all plant-based and organic.”

Build-your-own salads will cost $10. Customers will choose from a variety of greens as a base and then choose up to five additional vegetables. Customers also can add different beans, grains, nuts, dried fruits and seeds. Other ingredients are homemade hummus, jack fruit and tempeh.

“There’s quite a lot to choose from, and then after a certain amount (of ingredients) if you want any additional, it’s an additional 50 cents,” Hirschhorn said. “We’re trying to make it affordable but healthy.”

Press’d Juice Bar & Kitchen has been at the Plant Street Market since it opened. In addition to fresh bread and salads, the from-scratch kitchen also offers cold-pressed and custom juices, smoothies, wraps, desserts and fresh soups made daily. Press’d also has a location on Stoneybrook West Parkway.