Starting this month, we're now occasionally expanding our Divisadero coverage north of Geary. Got ideas for what we should write about next? Let us know via our tipline.
If you walk by the small storefront at 2864 California St. just west of Divisadero, chances are it's closed. If you glance at the sign out front, you'll see that it is only open from 4pm-6pm Sunday through Thursday. What kind of retail business is only open two hours a day?
As it turns out, Can Can Cleanse is not your typical storefront retail business. In late 2010, local nutritionist Teresa Piro launched a rather wild idea at the time: Pre-made cleansing juices ordered on line and delivered fresh to your door, instead of sent from across the country. For those new to the concept, a nutritional liquid cleanse program "can give your body a break from the stress and toxins of your on-the-go lifestyle," according to Can Can Cleanse's website.
Teresa Piro. (Photo: Downtown Muse)
In December 2013, Piro opened her retail location at California & Divisadero for customers to get information about cleansing and pick up her products, and she saw visibility and business increase. "We have met so many people in the neighborhood who were 'just walking by,'" said Piro. "They popped in to inquire about our services and soon after decided to cleanse with us."
Loyal followers pick-up weekly standing orders of juice packs to stock in their refrigerators, she added. But creating all her products takes far more time than two hours a day.
"I spend quite a lot of time during the days thinking about juice," said Piro. "However, recipe creation and testing is more on a seasonal schedule." Can Can’s juice choices change each quarter: celery root, sage, purple grapes and pears in the fall, warming spices in winter, carrot and fennel in spring, and lighter, peppier flavors during summertime.
(Photo: Can Can Cleanse)
The company offers several cleanse programs, from the One-Day for those who want to try out the concept to the 10-Day Challenge, which includes some salad, for veteran cleansers. For first-time cleansers, Piro recommends the 3-Day Cleanse. "Earlier this year, we launched two new cleanse programs," she noted, "and I had the opportunity to collaborate with local acupuncturist, Jennifer Moss of Moss Acupuncture, and colon hydro-therapist, Anne Aymakoglu of Body Harmony."
Will there be more Can Can Cleanse locations popping up around the Bay Area? "One in SF is good for now," Piro said. "We're very happy in our little outpost on California Street." However, she does offer pick-ups at the Montecito Plaza Pure Barre shop in San Rafael and may expand to pick-up spots in other areas later.
(Photo: William Sauro / Hoodline)
But in San Francisco, you can easily pick up your cleanse products at California and Divisadero—as long as it's between 4pm and 6pm.
