By Haley Egle
Murphy News Service
University of Minnesota fitness fanatics should welcome news that local protein shake shop Gopher Nutrition is moving closer to the Minneapolis campus in January.
A second store is set to open in Dinkytown and will feature the rebranded name Go 4 Nutrition Protein Fusion Bar, the store’s owner Curtiss Wright said.
Wright said the new name will attract customers other than U students to the store, while keeping the name familiar for current customers.
The new store will be located in the Dinkydale mall near Varsity Bike Shop, across from Mesa Pizza.
“The only reason I think I’m not as successful as I could be, is you always hear location, location, location,” Wright said. The new location will be closer to major student hangouts on campus such as the Rec Center and several new apartment houses and dorms.
“I’d definitely go to [the new store] way more often because it would be way more convenient,” sophomore Eileen Lee said.
“If you drive, you’re going to come to the Como location because it’s easier to find parking,” Wright said. “But if you don’t, the Dinkytown location will be much more convenient.”
Carla Lopez, an international business major at St. Catherine’s University, stopped by the Como Avenue shop with her younger brother on their way to Lopez’s house. She says the original location located on Como Avenue across from Sol Tan & Spa will still be her primary store.
“It’s easy access, I live right here so it’s not too bad,” Lopez said. “I come here because it tastes good, and for the convenience.”
Wright projects the Dinkytown store will make about 200 shakes a day, more than double the number of shakes sold daily at the Como store.
A Subway-style line will be featured in the new store, Wright said. Customers will start by choosing the flavor of shake, and customizing it with additional ingredients such as kale, whey and other supplements.
The add-ons and substitutions are not just offered to meet customized shake tastes, but to help customers with food allergies. “I usually get an oatmeal raisin cookie protein shake with almond milk,” Lee said. “I’m lactose intolerant but I love the shakes so to make it have less lactose in it I sub the milk.”
The new store will also have extended hours to cater to athletes who often practice early in the morning or attend tutoring late in the evening.
Lee, who is a member of the University of Minnesota co-ed cheer team, said she typically stops by in the morning or after practice at least two or three times a week to keep her health in balance. “I try to get in as much protein as I can in a day just because I’m a vegetarian so it’s harder to get in as much protein as other athletes,” Lee said.
Wright said his next location would ideally be Stadium Village to better serve students other than athletes.
“That way I’d be closer to the rec (center) and catch that crowd of kids as well as the freshman over at the Superblock,” Wright said.
A lack of suitable and available real estate might be the biggest obstacle to opening a third Go 4 Nutrition shop on campus, Wright said.
Reporter Haley Egle is studying journalism at the University of Minnesota.