Niantic’s newest business, Niantic Bay Nutrition, is owned by almost-21-year-old Sydney Taylor, a student at Middlesex Community College. Sydney brings her youthful energy and a wealth of creative ideas to the enterprise, which serves nutritional shakes. They feature a wide array of flavors including fruits, peanut butter, chocolate or vanilla. They also offer energized teas.
Sydney grew up in town and graduated from East Lyme High School in June of 2019. While running the business, she is also pursuing a career as a radiologist technician, which has been her goal since the fifth grade. Prior to opening the shake bar, she worked at Illiano’s in Niantic for the past four and a half years. This past year, she coached the East Lyme High School junior varsity cheerleading team, alongside her older sister Hannah who coaches the varsity team.
The sisters make a great team. Hannah owns Meraki Salon, which recently expanded into the old Karate studio. With more room, it was the perfect opportunity for Sydney to rent space in the salon and open her own shop to make protein drinks and teas. Over a short period of time, the girls’ grandfather helped them turn their dream into a reality. He was there every day working on everything from the bar in the shake shop to the hair stations in the salon. They’re both grateful that he was there to ensure everything was perfect for their openings.
Though the business has only been open a short time, Sydney says “The support I have already received from the community is amazing.” She plans to create drinks to go with holidays or special events in town. For example, on Cinco de Mayo, they offered a churro-flavored shake and a pomegranate margarita tea. They’re looking ahead to all the possibilities the summer months will bring! Sydney says, “Eventually, we want to collaborate with other businesses in town to name, or customize, drinks that pay tribute to those businesses. Of course, we already have a tea called the Meraki Mama!”
Niantic Bay Nutrition uses soy-based milk and adds only water. They offer a vegan powder which is pea and rice protein, and they can add any fruits or toppings into it. All of their powders are gluten-free. Be sure to let them know upfront if you have an allergy or any dietary concern, so they can be sure they are using safe ingredients for you. All shakes are 300 calories or less. Their teas only have two grams of sugar in them, with up to 200 mg. of caffeine.
Though their current space doesn’t allow for indoor seating, you can enjoy the warmer temperatures – while sipping your shake or tea – on the chairs outside the front door of their shop. Just order at the counter, and your drinks will be ready in a few minutes. While there, check out their fun selection of merchandise which bears the Niantic Bay Nutrition logo.
Sydney hopes to expand her shop in the future, and maybe even offer one in a second location.
Join them for their grand opening celebration on May 15 at 9am, and follow them on Facebook or Instagram to stay on top of their news, special offerings and events!
Niantic Bay Nutrition
81 Pennsylvania Avenue, Niantic
860- 790-3852
Hours until May 15:
Monday Closed
Tuesday through Friday 6am- 4pm
Saturday and Sunday 8-2
Starting May 16:
Monday through Friday 6am-6pm
Saturday and Sunday 8am-4pm
About Our Main Street Blogger:
Joanne lives in, and loves, our community. She was looking for an opportunity to help share all that our local businesses do to make East Lyme such a special place to call home, and she is excited to contribute to our blog. Joanne brings to the role her experience from New London Main Street where she contributed content to their website, newsletters and email communications for many years.