By AMIR GALBAN
Opinions Editor
Imagine a place that has a mouthwatering healthy mix of flavors in a drink that gives you energy throughout the day. A place that has programs for its customers to participate in workout regimens for a healthier lifestyle. Downtown Nutrition, located on 27 N. Pearl St. in Albany, does just that.
Tamika Pickett, the owner of Downtown Nutrition, was born and raised in Albany. Her sister, Joy, taught her how to make the drinks that the company is known for. Both of them have been in business for five years. At first, the siblings started running a nutrition business on social media with the addition of workout programs for either gaining or losing weight. Joy ended up creating her own business in New Haven, Conn. called Crave and getting married. Joy’s business is doing so well that she is able to work from home.
In December 2023, Tamika bought the storefront for Downtown Nutrition on N. Pearl St. A partnership with Herbalife allowed Tamika to use the storefront as a distributor. It was a big step towards achieving her purpose in the business. “My goal was to join the business and replace my part-time job and make a little bit extra cash,” Tamika said.
She explains the process from her first month in the business to now, while also instructing her colleague which ingredient to use for my drink. “In the first month of the business I did like $500. I was working my business straight from social media to promote my challenges,” Tamika explains. The challenges she hosts and promotes are specific to what helped her lose weight.
The menu consists of several energy bombs made with water and specific vitamin-like ingredients in a powder form that all comes from Herbalife. The energy bombs have different tiers such as “Lit,” “Double Lit,” or even added supplements for pre/post workouts. Some of the flavors include strawberry margarita, skittles, gummy bear, peach ring and several more. All of them have a different taste and depending on the additional ingredients you choose will provide you with the jumpstart you need.
There are seasonal drinks that are made as well. Depending on the holiday, Tamika and her team will target certain flavors and create names for the drinks that match the season. For example, during this past Easter there were Easter specials consisting of many energy bombs. One of them was named “Do the Bunny Hop” with the flavors being strawberry, watermelon, and cotton candy.
In addition to the energy bombs there are protein-based shakes. The flavors are dessert-like styles that include banana pudding, cookie dough, peanut butter cup, mint oreo and many more. There are add-ons like fiber for $1 or an extra scoop of protein for $2. Along with the workouts, there is a rewards stamp service. For every 10 stamps, you get a free drink, and Tuesday is double-stamp day.
Downtown Nutrition provides many areas to sit and enjoy the view of Albany and to even get more acquainted with the other drinks they make. Everything is right there for you to see as Tamika concocts the ingredients for the drink right in front of customers. The customers at Downtown Nutrition are able to get acquainted easily and share in the epitome of striving for a healthy lifestyle.
