Healthy alternatives are on the expanding menu at this new State College shop
Happy Valley Nutrition only recently opened in State College and is already making a name for itself among the local fitness community.
When Diane Jozefick first welcomed customers to the Martin Street shop in February, she said some thought the business sold supplements. Now, they’ve realized what the business truly offers: healthful protein shakes and teas that provide a unique alternative to sugary sodas and milkshakes.
“What led me to this business is fitness. I’d visited different shops that serve loaded teas and the protein shakes and I love them,” Jozefick said.
When she couldn’t find similar products in Centre County, she said opening Happy Valley Nutrition was her next step.
“I had hesitations, but it was one of those ‘if I don’t do it, I’m going to regret it’ (situations),” she said.
Happy Valley Nutrition’s menu consists of a large variety of protein shakes and loaded refreshers, which feature a green tea base. All of the menu items can be customized to fit customers’ personal preferences and health goals. The loaded refreshers are sugar-free and available in caffeine-free variants. The protein shakes are made with a protein and healthy meal mix, along with selected flavors; gluten-free shakes are available. Add-ons range from extra protein to collagen, probiotics to fiber and immunity boosters.
However, despite all of the health benefits, Jozefick doesn’t merely hope to attract the fitness crowd to Happy Valley Nutrition. Instead, she says anyone — even children — looking for a healthier alternative to sugary or unhealthy drinks can find something to love on the menu.
“I honestly will tell you, the protein shakes taste like a milkshake. They look like a milkshake. They taste like a milkshake. They’re just healthier versions,” she said.
Some of the best-selling menu items so far include some of Jozefick’s personal favorites, such as the Pinky Dinky Doo (with raspberry tea and blue raspberry flavor), Black Pearl (with grape and “blue blast” flavors) and Jamaican Me Happy (with “blue blast,” coconut and pineapple) refreshers. Favorite shake flavors include Salted Caramel Pretzel, Blueberry Cheesecake, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Fruity Pebbles.
“Fruity Pebbles tastes just like the cereal and we use sugar-free, fat-free whipped topping, and then sprinkle Fruity Pebbles cereal on it, if you want,” Jozefick said.
As Jozefick expands the business, she’s adding more menu items and services, such as DoorDash and delivery for orders of $20 or more. Offering delivery service is a strategic move for Jozefick, who says many similar shops that she’s seen open as early as 6 a.m.
“Our hours are different,” she said. “State College is kind of a ghost town in the mornings ... There’s nobody down here at 6 a.m. (When we open), I think people are already at work. With the delivery and DoorDash, I’ve had a lot of people ask me if we’re going to start doing that.”
Recent new menu items include iced coffee and plans are in the works to add protein bowls — similar to an acai bowl, but with a protein shake base — and bubble tea.
In the future, Jozefick said she’d love to open another location, and notes her family has played a big role in Happy Valley Nutrition’s success thus far. “Without my fiancé Jamie, son Shelton, daughter Sierra and stepson Jesse’s encouragement and support, this wouldn’t be possible.”
Learn more about Happy Valley Nutrition, 1510 Martin St., on the business’s Facebook page. Call to place a delivery order at 814-826-2709.
