Courtney Johnson: From Hurricane Katrina to Dallas’s Fresh Juice Scene

Welcome to Deep in the Heart of Dallas! Our newest series celebrates the vibrant Dallas Black community, spotlighting local creatives as they reveal their favorite spots, must‑taste food, and how the city fuels their creativity. In this episode, we’re thrilled to introduce Courtney Johnson, the visionary behind Magnolia Juice.

Magnolia Juice is a Dallas‑based cold‑pressed, fresh‑juice company that supplies markets, events, and delivers across the metroplex. Courtney’s journey began in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, turning adversity into entrepreneurial spirit.

Tell us about your journey to Dallas and how you got into the juice business.

My family moved to Dallas in 2005 from New Orleans—where I was born and raised—after Hurricane Katrina destroyed our home. I finished high school in Dallas and stayed because it felt like home. The story of how I entered the juice business is a bit serendipitous: while getting my wisdom teeth pulled, I realized I wouldn’t be able to eat for a while, so I bought a juicer and started experimenting with recipes. I shared my creations on social media and asked, “Who would like some?” The response was overwhelming, and that’s how Magnolia Juice began.

What makes Dallas home?

It’s the community—friends who have been with me since I first arrived—and the business opportunities that let me live out my dreams. Dallas feels like home for my family and for my entrepreneurial spirit.

Describe your perfect day in Dallas.

I start with emails and invoices at the Wild Detectives in Bishop Arts, then sip an Old Fashioned cappuccino. I love visiting the Dallas Contemporary for free exhibits and local art. For lunch, I head to Saint Ann for brunch and mimosas, and then I let the day guide me—perhaps a hookah session at Zatar in Deep Ellum or live jazz at The Free Man.

Where’s your favorite place to eat in Dallas?

I adore Te Deseo for its beautiful, flower‑adorned ambiance, and I’m a regular at The Bells Sweet Factory, a New Orleans‑style food truck that offers bourbon wings and crab‑cake potatoes topped with seafood sauce.

Tell us about a neighborhood you love.

Bishop Arts and Deep Ellum are my favorites. Bishop Arts reminds me of New Orleans’ Magazine Street with its bookshops, thrift stores, and unique small businesses. Deep Ellum offers great food, nightlife, live music, and speakeasies.

What’s your go‑to place to take out‑of‑towners?

I usually bring them to Paradiso in Bishop Arts, which is next to the Botanist bar.

What is your favorite Dallas memory?

One of my friends once took me up a dirt road off I‑30 near Hampton to view the Dallas skyline at sunset. We listened to music, stared at the stars, and I realized how much I loved this city.

What are you looking forward to?

After a tough 2021—car accident, winter storm, new apartment, and new furniture—I’m eager for a smoother ride that lets me focus on growing Magnolia Juice and expanding my event presence.

To learn more about Courtney, Magnolia Juice, and what she’s up to in Dallas, follow Magnolia on Instagram: @magnoliajuice