Owners Chris and Ronnie Swingler opened Leander Nutrition in 2018. (Taylor Girtman/Community Impact Newspaper)
Leander Nutrition owners Ronnie and Chris Swingler are proud to be the “Cheers” of nutritional drinks. You get to know customers by name and order – and even by their car when they drive to Leander Nutrition.
“They are not customers; They’re family,” said Ronnie. “They are part of the Leander Nutrition family.”
The Swinglers opened Leander Nutrition in February 2018. Ronnie said after leaving a job in finance and becoming a mother, she wanted to start a business where people could come together, learn about nutrition and have healthy options.
The shop sells a selection of smoothies, iced coffees, frappes and energy teas. Each drink can be customized to meet each customer’s health goals, they said. Leander Nutrition also sells waffles, muffins and cake pops.
After nearly two years of small business ups and downs, Leander Nutrition’s family of customers make sure the Swinglers love what they do. Customers have invited the Swinglers to weddings and other events after meeting them at Leander Nutrition, which would not happen at jobs where you sit behind a desk, they said.
“We’re so connected to our community that our ‘downs’ weren’t too bad,” Ronnie said. “They have our backs.” To return support, the store held a Blue Santa toy drive and hosts ghost days for local schools.
“Our community has really supported us, and that’s why we love to give back,” said Chris.
The owners and “mixologists” have also experimented with flavors to create new drinks and seasonal flavors.
Chris said he uses his love of cooking to create new flavor combinations for drinks. One called The Gladiator features chocolate, vanilla, and coffee flavors. Another called Green Goddess contains mango, pineapple, spinach and matcha.
“I enjoy sharing nutrition on a personal level,” said Chris.
The Hero Way West store aims to be a fun place for people and groups to meet and spend time. Customers can use Wi-Fi and sit in comfortable seating with a kids’ area while enjoying their drinks, the Swinglers said.
Orders can also be phoned or texted so drinks are ready for collection during busy mornings and quick lunch breaks.
“We’re like fast food for healthy people,” Ronnie said.
Her goal is to educate people about “true health,” Chris said, and he often encourages new customers to try their drinks three times and then see how they feel.
“I’ve never had anyone say, ‘That didn’t work,’ or ‘I don’t feel good,'” he said. “They always come back and say, ‘I feel great,’ and that’s the point, right?”
Try this:
With dozens of flavors and new seasonal flavors, there are a variety of drinks for customers to choose from. Here are some of the best flavors recommended by owner Ronnie Swingler.
- Banana Nut Bread Shake
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shake
- Coffee lover’s delight shake
- Texas Sunset Tea
- Caramel Macchiato Iced Coffee
Leander diet
11880 Hero Way W, Ste. 104, Leander
512-763-9444
www.facebook.com/leandernutrition
Opening hours: Mon.-Fri. 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., closed on Sun.
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