Orange Julius

For shoppers and families who frequented the Spokane Valley Mall, the Orange Julius kiosk at 14700 E Indiana Ave was, for a time, a familiar stop for a sweet, frothy treat. However, anyone seeking that specific nostalgic taste at this location will be disappointed. This particular Orange Julius outlet is now permanently closed, a fact confirmed by multiple customer reports and its current status. One visitor noted as far back as five years ago that the location was "all boarded up and closed," while another more recently lamented, "RIP this location.. It’s swapped out with a similar business!"

This closure marks the end of an era for a specific spot within the mall, but it also reflects the broader story of the Orange Julius brand—a story of innovation, immense popularity, and eventual integration into a larger corporate identity. Understanding the history of this iconic juice shop provides context for what the Spokane Valley Mall location once offered and the challenges it likely faced.

The Legacy of the Orange Julius

The Orange Julius story begins not in a bustling modern mall, but on a Los Angeles roadside stand in 1926. Founded by Julius Freed, the stand initially sold plain orange juice with modest success. The breakthrough came in 1929 when Freed's real estate broker, Bill Hamlin, developed a special powder—a blend including powdered egg whites—to add to the orange juice. This mixture made the acidic juice easier on his stomach and, serendipitously, created a uniquely creamy, frothy, and sweet beverage. Customers began lining up, famously shouting, "Give me an orange, Julius!" and the iconic brand name was born. This concoction is often cited as the world's first smoothie, a pioneer in the world of blended fruit drinks.

The brand's growth was explosive. It became a staple at fairs, drive-ins, and, most notably, shopping malls across America. It was even the official drink of the 1964 New York World's Fair. In 1987, the company was acquired by International Dairy Queen, which is why many Orange Julius locations, including likely this one, became co-branded with Dairy Queen over time. This long history is what customers at the Spokane Valley Mall were buying into—a taste of classic Americana.

The Customer Experience at the Spokane Valley Location

The Spokane Valley Mall Orange Julius operated as a counter-serve kiosk, typical for the brand. Based on its business type and the photos available, it was a grab-and-go spot designed for shoppers needing a quick refreshment. With a price level rated as inexpensive, it offered an affordable treat for families and individuals.

The menu would have centered on two main categories:

• Julius Originals: The classic, frothy orange juice drink that started it all. This signature beverage is made from a blend of orange juice, sweetener, milk, powdered egg whites, and vanilla flavoring, all blended with ice to create its distinctive airy texture.
• Premium Fruit Smoothies: Catering to more modern tastes, the menu would have included a variety of fruit smoothies. Flavors like Strawberry Banana, Mango Pineapple, and Tripleberry were standard offerings, providing thicker, fruit-forward alternatives to the classic Julius.

Customer feedback for this specific location is sparse, with only four total ratings contributing to a mediocre 3-star average. This low engagement suggests the establishment may not have cultivated a strong local following or that its patrons were not active online reviewers. The positive reviews from its operational years are brief, with one simply stating "goodplace" and another leaving a 5-star rating without comment. These suggest that for some, it met expectations for a quick and pleasant transaction, delivering the familiar taste they sought.

The Downside and Eventual Closure

The negative reviews, though few, are definitive and point to the ultimate failure of the business: its closure. The 1-star ratings directly address the fact that the business is no longer there, serving as a crucial, if disappointing, piece of information for potential visitors. The final rating of 3 stars is telling; in the competitive food court environment, mediocrity is often not enough to survive. While the specific reasons for this location's closure are not public, several factors common to such businesses could have played a role.

The modern consumer landscape for healthy beverages has evolved dramatically. A new wave of healthy juice bar chains emphasizes fresh-pressed juices, organic ingredients, extensive customization options, and offerings like açaí bowls and wellness shots. While Orange Julius holds a strong nostalgic appeal, its reliance on a sweeter, more traditional recipe might have struggled to compete with brands perceived as healthier or more aligned with contemporary fitness trends. The comment that it was "swapped out with a similar business" indicates that demand for a beverage kiosk in that location exists, but perhaps the new vendor offers a product more in tune with today's market.

What Was Lost and What Remains

The closing of the Orange Julius at the Spokane Valley Mall represents a small but tangible loss of a piece of classic mall culture. For decades, the bright colors and whirring blenders of an Orange Julius stand were synonymous with the shopping experience itself. It was a place for a first date, a treat after a long day of shopping with parents, or a simple, refreshing pause. The brand offered a unique product that, for many, is tied to fond memories.

However, the reality for any potential customer today is clear and simple: this juice shop is gone. The address at 14700 E Indiana Ave Unit 2024 no longer houses an Orange Julius. Visitors to the Spokane Valley Mall looking for a fresh juice or smoothie will need to seek out the new vendor that has taken its place or explore other options within the mall's food court. The legacy of the frothy, creamy orange juice drink lives on at other Dairy Queen locations, but its chapter at this specific Spokane address has definitively concluded.