NASHVILLE, Tenn. — What began as a leap of faith during one of the most uncertain times in recent history has grown into one of Middle Tennessee’s favorite destinations for fresh juices, nourishing meals and community. Founded by a longtime nurse with a passion for preventive health, Tara Mitchner and her family built Alchemy Juice Café  on a simple mission: make wellness approachable while creating a legacy of entrepreneurship for the next generation.

As part of Nashville Fit Magazine’s Ultimate Nutrition Guide, founder Mitchner shares the inspiration behind Alchemy, why wellness has always been deeply personal, and how the café continues to serve more than just healthy food—it serves hope, connection and a healthier community.

How did the business come about? Origin story?

Alchemy was born from a combination of faith, purpose, and a desire to build something meaningful—not only for myself, but for my children. As a nurse, I’ve spent most of my career caring for people during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. While I loved helping others heal, I also developed a passion for prevention, wellness, and healthy living.

At the same time, I wanted my children to see another path. I wanted them to witness entrepreneurship firsthand—the sacrifices, the hard work, the creativity, and the freedom that comes from building something of your own. I wanted them to know that it’s possible to create opportunities rather than simply wait for them.

When the opportunity arose to open The Alchemy Juice Cafe during the pandemic, it was not idea, but was already in motion. It was a risky time to start a business, but I believed our community needed wellness, hope, and connection more than ever. Looking back, Alchemy represents so many parts of my life—a nurse’s desire to promote wellness, a mother’s desire to inspire her children, and an entrepreneur’s belief that with faith, perseverance, and purpose, something beautiful can grow even in uncertain times.

Why is wellness important to you? Any personal experiences?

As a nurse, I’ve spent nearly two decades seeing what happens when health is taken for granted. I’ve cared for patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, and those experiences taught me that wellness isn’t just about living longer—it’s about living better.

For me, wellness is personal. As a mother, I wanted my children to see healthy habits modeled at home. As a healthcare professional, I wanted to create access to nutritious options that are both enjoyable and sustainable. Wellness isn’t perfection; it’s choosing yourself over and over again, even on the hard days. It’s nourishment, movement, rest, community, and grace.

Favorite menu item and why?

That’s like asking me to choose a favorite child!

If I had to pick one, it would probably be the Lifeline juice . —simple, fresh ingredients working together to create something powerful. The combination of beets, apples, oranges, carrots, and ginger is vibrant, nourishing, and full of life.

I love it because it reminds me that wellness doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes the simplest things can make the biggest difference.

What does it mean to you to have created a popular wellness and nutritious spot in Middle Tennessee?

Honestly, it’s humbling.

When I opened Alchemy, I hoped people would come.  To know that people have made us part of their daily routines, their health journeys, their celebrations, and even their healing processes means more than I can put into words.

As a Black woman-owned business, it also carries a deeper meaning. Representation matters. Being able to create a successful wellness space that welcomes everyone while showing what’s possible through hard work, resilience, and faith is something I’m incredibly proud of.

The greatest reward isn’t the business itself—it’s the relationships. It’s seeing familiar faces walk through the door year after year and knowing we’ve become a small part of their story.

Outside of the business, what are some of your favorite ways to recharge and practice self-care?

Spending time with my children fills my cup in a way nothing else can. Watching them grow into incredible young adults has been one of life’s greatest gifts. I also love quiet moments—reading,  reflection, being outdoors, taking a walk, or simply enjoying a good cup of tea without rushing.

As someone who works in healthcare and owns a business, life can be nonstop. I’ve learned that rest isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Sometimes self-care is as simple as giving yourself permission to slow down.

Wellness trends seem to change constantly. How do you stay true to your mission while continuing to innovate?

Our mission has never changed: provide fresh, nourishing options that help people feel their best.

Trends will come and go, but real wellness is timeless. People are always looking for more energy, better health, balance, and nourishment. We pay attention to new ideas and ingredients, but we never chase trends just because they’re popular.

If something aligns with our values and genuinely benefits our customers, we’re excited to explore it. But at our core, we’re still the same Alchemy we’ve always been—focused on quality ingredients, genuine care, and creating a space where wellness feels approachable and achievable for everyone.

At the end of the day, we’re not just serving food and drinks. We’re serving people. And that will always be our mission.

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘜𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘕𝘶𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘑𝘶𝘭𝘺/𝘈𝘶𝘨𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘕𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦 𝘍𝘪𝘵 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦 𝘛𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘵, 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵.