New beverage shop provides energy boosts

VILLAGE OF MANLIUS – With its variety of energy-boosting beverages, Fierce Nutrition in Manlius has more than enough pick-me-ups to power you through your day.
Looking to be a “positive haven” and the key to “a better you,” the local business celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, Oct. 5. For the occasion, a batch of fried dough protein balls was set out on the counter for the taking, as were free samples of a pineapple, mango and watermelon power tea called Brighter Days.
The health shop is located in Suite 5 of the Manlius Mart Plaza at 315 Fayette St. between Unplugged Gaming and Rose Garden Nail Spa.
As an independent distributor for Herbalife Nutrition, the shop serves sugar-free teas and drinks meant to rehydrate the body as well as protein shakes with between five and 10 grams of sugar per cup. Apart from it all tasting great according to owner Myndie Young, Fierce Nutrition’s low-carb products are infused with vitamins and natural caffeines, and there are also collagen-based items available on the side for skin and nail care.
At any given time, the menu features 50-plus protein shakes along with 100-plus power teas, with each one of those teas containing 160 milligrams of caffeine. Though the lists of flavors are always changing and expanding through the year, especially with holiday-themed promotions season to season, each different type of drink offered remains in stock unless it’s been permanently discontinued by Herbalife Nutrition.
The flavor options include candy apple and a grape-blue raspberry combo for the 10-calorie teas and brownie batter, banana caramel pie and carrot cake for the shakes, which are between 200 and 300 calories each. Customers can also request their own customized flavor combinations.
Young oversees the nutrition club, as it’s called, with her husband, Craig. The two also own a similar health drink business under the overarching Herbalife umbrella called Ignite Nutrition, which is situated at 310 Division St. in Fulton.
That’s also where Phoenix, New York, resident Zachary Trask was working before being trained by the couple and put in charge to run the Manlius location. They have also known Trask for close to a decade because of their longtime friendship with his wife.
Myndie Young said the beverages at Fierce Nutrition are less likely than coffee to cause jittery sensations, stomach troubles and dehydration, plus the business is a place where people can openly converse and even vent about their day, said Craig.
“We’re here to make Mondays feel like Fridays,” Craig said. “If someone comes in and they’re having a bad day, it’s our job to lift them up and make sure they’re leaving with a smile.”
Though the ribbon cutting was held this month, Fierce Nutrition has been open since January. Trask said there have been ups and downs getting it off the ground, but he said business has been better lately now that school is back in session and people are back from their summer vacations.
He also said that people often take notice of the shop while walking their dogs to Dog Gone Inn Doggie Daycare or as they’re bringing their clothes to the nearby dry cleaner.
To help supply teachers, police officers and nurses with needed energy boosts, Fierce Nutrition has committed to preparing sample cups of tea for appreciation days at schools, police stations and hospitals at random points on the calendar, mostly during the early fall and winter.
Fierce Nutrition is open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.