It’s been three months since locals have tasted the freshly pressed sugarcane juice made by Sweet Grass Sugarcane Juice. Founder Johnny Chhom is preparing to make the leap from a food truck to a Bixby Knolls storefront.
“I’ll be honest, I’m feeling a little anxious,” Chhom said of the grand opening.
Chhom has been on a hiatus from his usual schedule of pressing sugarcane juice six to seven days a week as he prepares for the Sweet Grass Sugarcane Juice storefront’s grand opening on Saturday, Dec 4.
“For me to have three months off, like I kind of lost that edge a little bit,” Chhom said. “But I know, I’m confident that I can get it back. […] I’m just going to get right back on that horse and take off like I anticipate.”
The strong support customers showed for his product motivated him to convert his business from a food truck to a storefront.
“When I first thought about it was when I started having really, really, really long lines and I kept selling out every day,” Chhom said. “And I’m like […] ‘I’ve already outgrown this truck, I need the brick-and-mortar.'”
Besides needing time to prepare his store, Chhom also personally experienced the supply chain issues that are currently impacting the nation.
“A lot of my stuff was actually stuck at the port,” Chhom said. “My supplies were stuck at the port so I couldn’t even open it if I tried.”
But after the long wait, Chhom is now putting the finishing touches on the Sweet Grass store, nearly ready to open its doors to the community.
“I searched around all over Long Beach, trying to see what vibe I would fit in and I think Bixby Knolls fits my vibe perfectly,” Chhom said.
He pointed out that Bixby Knolls is near both the 405 and 710 freeways, making it easily accessible to people who may live further away.
“It’s in the middle of Long Beach too,” Chhom said. “So you know that North Long Beach can visit, East Long Beach can visit, West Long Beach can visit. So it’s kind of smack dab right in the middle.”
Sweet Grass Sugarcane Juice will open at the former location of H Salt Fish & Chips, at 3545 Atlantic Ave., within the Bixby Plaza strip mall.
“The neighborhood here is really nice,” Chhom said. “It has some culture, you know, they do First Fridays and things like that. It’s a nice neighborhood to be a part of and I’m really actually glad to be here.”
Sweet Grass Sugarcane Juice’s original flavor is pure, freshly pressed sugarcane juice over ice.
Brightly colored fusion drinks are created by mixing the sugarcane juice with passionfruit, dragonfruit, mint lemonade and more.
Chhom will also be expanding Sweet Grass’ offering with the inclusion of a “milk bar.”
“I wanted to have like a milk-tea-type item on my menu and I also wanted to be different,” Chhom said. “I just didn’t want to be the same as anyone else.”
Sweet Grass’s milk bar infuses coconut creamer with flavors such as strawberry, matcha and pandan.
“I made this a non-dairy creamer so I kind of stayed true to my roots of being an all vegan and plant-based restaurant,” Chhom said.
Chhom hopes to be a positive role model as a business owner in the community.
“Anybody who wants to make a positive impact in their own lives, I hope that I’m an example of just coming from nothing and being able to make something of myself.” Chhom said.
Sweet Grass Sugarcane Juice celebrates the grand opening of its brick-and-mortar business at 3545 Atlantic Ave. on Saturday, Dec. 4, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 1 p.m.
Sweet Grass will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and closed on Mondays.
