BY EMMY YANTIS I PHOTOS BY CHLOE WILLIAMS
How Birmingham Nutrition became a local hub
On any given afternoon in Homewood, the doors of Birmingham Nutrition swing open to the hum of blenders, friendly conversations and the scent of many different drinks. Inside, the atmosphere buzzes with more than caffeine: it’s connection. College students pop in between classes, parents stop by after school pick-up and regulars wave hello to the team members who greet them by name.
It’s not just a place to grab a shake or a tea—it’s a place where community thrives.
At the heart of it all is Beverly Knight, a retired teacher turned business owner whose mission goes far beyond healthy drinks. “I retired from teaching after 28 years in Mississippi and was kind of looking for my next steps,” she said. “I’ve always been interested in health and fitness and helping people, especially ladies like me, who are looking for some advice on nutrition, because you can’t outwork a bad diet.”
That passion led her to bring something new to Birmingham: a healthy, fast and social experience that quickly became a staple for locals.
Knight’s path to Birmingham Nutrition was rooted in her love for wellness and community. Long before opening her doors in Alabama, she owned a competitive cheerleading gym in Mississippi. Just down the street from her gym was a small nutrition club that offered colorful loaded teas and protein shakes.
“We were her best customers,” Knight laughed. “We fell in love with the products a long time ago. I’d been introduced to them, loved them, and used them myself. I saw what a difference they made in my health. So when I retired from teaching, the opportunity came to take the next step with this company, and it’s truly been a blessing.”
When she began searching for the perfect spot to launch her next chapter, Birmingham stood out immediately. “We saw the need for healthy options in this area, and I always loved coming here from Mississippi,” she explained. “So we decided Birmingham was the place.”
Though the brightly colored teas often steal the spotlight on social media, Knight emphasizes that Birmingham Nutrition is about so much more. “We are more than loaded teas,” she says. “We have protein shakes, protein coffees and a lot of people now are interested in counting their protein and looking at their macros.”
Each drink is made with care, from teas packed with energy-supporting B vitamins and vitamin C, to aloe that “soothes the stomach and helps with digestion.” It’s a balance of taste, health, and energy, something customers can feel good about drinking every day, according to Knight.
That balance has made the store a hit with their customers. “There’s so many ingredients that make it a win-win for people,” she said with a smile.
Even with business experience on her side, the pace of the business brought its own challenges. “Our main obstacle is just keeping up with the demand,” she says. “It’s very fast-paced and sometimes our lobby has 30 people in here at a time. We don’t want them waiting for 30 minutes – we know their time is valuable. We want to give the best customer service we can.”
Knight’s teams commitment to service and community has paid off. “We’re opening a second location, Mountain Brook Nutrition, which is super exciting!” she said, beaming. “We’ve been well-received here and have a great customer base. We are excited to open our second location!”
And that sense of connection extends far beyond the shop itself. “We do a lot of give-back to the community,” she said. “We have percentage days and other give-backs to help us feel like we’re doing our little part to connect with Birmingham. We love working with organizations doing fundraisers or philanthropies.”
Zeta Tau Alpha at Samford University partners with Birmingham Nutrition often for percentage days for donations for Breast Cancer Education and Awareness. “Being able to work with Birmingham Nutrition to create opportunities to give back to our philanthropy, breast cancer education and awareness has been so easy and fruitful,” Abbey Duke, Vice President of Philanthropy for ZTA ’s Delta Psi chapter, said. “Their team is happy to help and be a part of something bigger than just the teas! We have done multiple percentage days with them and have found exciting ways to connect philanthropy with something college students are loving.”
It’s that consistent cycle of giving and growing that makes Birmingham Nutrition feel like a neighborhood gathering place rather than just a business.
Running a store like Birmingham Nutrition takes more than passion, it takes planning. “Scheduling is a big part of it,” Knight explained. “We try to hire employees that are college kids. We want to make sure they have a place to work in their downtime, but we also juggle schedules around their sorority activities and other commitments.”
She also works hard to ensure that the shop is always stocked and ready to serve. “We never want to be that shop that says, ‘Oh, we’re out of that,’” she said. “We stay on top of our inventory and make sure we have everything in stock. That’s challenging at times because some days are super busy.”
Even with the challenges, Knight’s dedication to her staff radiates. Her team members aren’t just employees, they’re family. “We really care about our staff,” she says. “We want them to feel supported, appreciated and proud of where they work.”
As Birmingham Nutrition continues to grow, Knight’s focus remains the same: serving people well. “In the next five years, I see us still doing the same thing: servicing our community,” she said. “I see us expanding into places all over the Birmingham area and beyond.”
Her advice for others looking to follow a similar path? Collaboration over competition. “You need to find good resources and people that are willing to share,” she said. “Not be your competitor, but want to collaborate with you. That way you have those resources, and you can work together with those in your community.”
It’s a philosophy that perfectly sums up what Birmingham Nutrition has built, a space loaded with teamwork, care and connection.
As the afternoon rush fades and the last few cups are handed out, Knight takes a moment to reflect. Her shop may serve teas and shakes, but what it’s really serving is something harder to define: a sense of belonging.
When customers walk through those glass doors, they’re greeted with more than a menu. They’re met with familiar faces, shared stories and a genuine feeling of being known.
In a city that’s growing and changing every day, Birmingham Nutrition stands as a reminder of what makes local businesses special: people coming together, one cup at a time.