Erica Hansen and Sierra Lopez bring comfortable, welcoming atmosphere
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Sierra Lopez and Erica Hansen, owners of Big Rapids Nutrition, said they love operating the business and getting to know the community. (Pioneer photo/Taylor Fussman)
Sierra Lopez and Erica Hansen, owners of Big Rapids Nutrition, said they love operating the business and getting to know the community. (Pioneer photo/Taylor Fussman)
Sierra Lopez and Erica Hansen, owners of Big Rapids Nutrition, said they love operating the business and getting to know the community. (Pioneer photo/Taylor Fussman)
Sierra Lopez and Erica Hansen, owners of Big Rapids Nutrition, said they love operating the business and getting to know the community. (Pioneer photo/Taylor Fussman)
This article is part of Business Buzz, a series designed to feature small businesses that make a big impact on the community. Participants featured will include all the locally-owned businesses that make up the fabric of Big Rapids and the surrounding area.
BIG RAPIDS — With a menu filled with tasty, nutritious shakes and natural, energizing teas, Big Rapids Nutrition is offering area residents a fun and healthy place to stop while strolling through downtown.
Owners Erica Hansen and Sierra Lopez said they love operating the business and providing the community with healthy treats.
“My favorite part of owning Big Rapids Nutrition is getting to build a connection with the people of Big Rapids and the students,” Lopez said. “People can come in and feel relaxed and welcome.”
Originally opened by Montague-area residents Shuan Stone and Alexis Field in 2019, Hansen and Lopez purchased Big Rapids Nutrition in February.
Hansen explained the previous owners also operated a similar business in another city, and decided to sell Big Rapids Nutrition to focus on the other store — a move that worked in Lopez and Hansen’s favor.
Originally from Muskegon, the two women said they were excited when they heard about the opportunity to take over the shop in downtown Big Rapids.
“I knew I wanted to open a business of my own at some point, and this was an opportunity to do that,” Lopez said.
Hansen explained as a previous owner of a fitness club in Grand Haven herself, she knew she wanted to jump at the chance to offer healthy choices to people in a new community.
Big Rapids Nutrition offers a wide variety of smoothies, teas and more, each with little calories or sugars, and lots of proteins.
Hansen said since taking over the business they have seen an increase in customers and have enjoyed getting to know the residents of Big Rapids.
“It’s been going well,” she said. “College students are a big part of the business, but we have a connection with the locals as well. People really love the product and the atmosphere.”
Hansen added the drinks offered at Big Rapids Nutrition are not just for fitness junkies or people of a specific age, but for anyone interested in a delicious and healthy shake.
“Being here the last couple months we have seen people from all age groups, which is amazing,” she said. “The feedback and the support we have gotten has been amazing so far.”
For Hansen and Lopez, offering a healthy pick-me-up throughout the day is not their only goal, but also to make people feel comfortable and appreciated in their business.
“We love to promote a positive, healthy place to be where people of all ages can go,” Hansen said.
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Phone:
231-598-9096
Address:
110 N. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids, MI 49307
