A local organic food and juice chain which started in Malibu will be coming to the Metlox Plaza soon.
SunLife Organics will take the space facing the plaza’s inner courtyard that was recently vacated by Nekter Juice Bar.
Nekter’s lease was up and it couldn’t come to an agreement with the Tolkin Group which manages the plaza on rent, property manager Glenn Loucks said.
SunLife, which Loucks compared to The Source in Hermosa Beach, first opened in Malibu in 2011. It has since spread to a second Malibu location, Pasadena, Calabasas and Thousand Oaks.
Owner Khalil Rafati started the store after a personal turnaround from homelessness and drug addiction on Skid Row, according to the store’s website. He attributed his turnaround, in part, due to his discovery of “juicing and superfoods,” and exercise, which he says helped cure his depression.
Rafati also owns Malibu Beach Yoga at Point Dume Village.
The chain’s online menu includes items like a Malibu Sunrise smoothie and bone broth. An email from the company said that they would be introducing their first full espresso bar at the Manhattan Beach location.
Loucks said that SunLife recently submitted its plans to the city’s building department. The store is expected to open in about three months. ER
