AMHERST — A midfielder for the University of Massachusetts men’s soccer team who starred on the pitch for Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield, Bryant Keeney understands that what athletes put into their bodies is an important part of the training regimen.

While Amherst, as a college town, has several coffee shops, bubble tea places and assorted cafes, what it didn’t have — until Keeney opened K’s Nutrition at 377 College St. in fall 2022 — was a dedicated nutrition bar, where people can get smoothies, protein shakes and refreshers, along with coffees, juices and acai bowls.

Now nearing its second anniversary, K’s Nutrition — where almost all drinks are made to order — continues to be a successful enterprise for Keeney, an economics major from Westfield.

“As a wellness cafe or nutrition cafe, we are trying to be all-encompassing,” Keeney says.

Several core items are on the menu at K’s Nutrition, including the plant-based protein shakes, each with 200 to 350 calories. Customers drink those shakes as a meal replacement, for workout recovery or to build muscle.

“Makes it so it tastes really good,” Keeney said as he prepares a drink, pointing to the names of the protein shakes like Brownie Batter, Oreo Creme Pie and Peanut Butter Cheesecake.

Also on the menu are energy refreshers, which people might consume before competitions. Refreshers are low-calorie and have names such as Black Pearl, made from pomegranate, blue blast and grape, and Blue Hawaiian, featuring lemon lime, blue blast and pina. Refreshers have around 15 calories or so but can pack a caffeine punch, with up to 275 milligrams in the “double lit” refresher, as it is known.

The clean energy drinks derive their caffeine from green tea. “Refreshers are a pick-me-up,” Keeney said.

The shop’s beginnings

The idea for starting the shop came from Keeney’s own experience visiting smoothie shops and cafes and liking their vibe. “When traveling, I would always try out the smoothie shops,” Keeney said.

Having also worked at a similar shop in high school, he made it his mission to start one and, during the pandemic, came up with a plan for a venue that would meet the fit lifestyle, especially for a younger demographic.

“I felt like I could relate to the college kids,” Keeney said.

Keeney then worked, saved up money and fleshed out a business plan, identifying in March 2022 the ideal spot, being in a plaza alongside other businesses that promote healthy living, including a pharmacy, a chiropractor and a fitness studio.

Unlike many of the people who go to conventional cafes and coffee shops, Keeney isn’t expecting people to linger long, though several small tables are set up and designed for conversation and there’s a built-in couch with pillows along one wall. Everything was made custom by Keeney, including the counter and workspace where he prepares the beverages, taking ideas from online sites such as Pinterest. He also developed the custom logo for K’s Nutrition.

As Keeney chats with customers during the five minutes or less — quicker for those in a hurry — it takes him to make a 16-ounce drink, he creates a Peanut Butter Brownie smoothie, slicing up and then blending a banana into the drink that has the consistency of a milkshake.

He also makes an organic smoothie, the Green Machine, blending mango, avocado, spinach, apple and pineapple.

“That was super fast,” one customer visiting the shop for the first time tells Keeney. “I’m impressed.”

“I’ve done this 10,000 times and can do it blindfolded,” Keeney said.

Since opening, he has expanded the menu to add acai bowls, like the coconut smoothie bowl topped with granolas, fruits, peanut butter, as well as organic pressed juices — the Happy Beet with beet, apple, lemon and ginger, or the Beachy Breeze, with apple, pineapple, lemon and mint.

Customers also have the option to add supplements to many of the drinks. For refreshers, collagen can be put in the drink. That can help with hair growth, joints and tendon strengthening, Keeney said. Adding probiotics can help with digestion and intake of nutrients, while creatine helps with muscle growth and recovery.

Keeney said family is an important part of keeping the business running. His mother, Tammy, sometimes works behind the counter, and he gets other help from his father and sister and handful of paid help. Because much of his time is dedicated to preparing for soccer games in summer and fall, as well as studying, he isn’t at the store all that often.

“I enjoy being in here as much as possible,” Keeney said.

Keeney said people of all ages and from all walks of life stop in, with the morning rush being early-risers such as medical professionals, law enforcement and teachers, with athletes later in the day.

“Anyone who likes tasty drinks comes in,” Keeney said.

The store is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed Sundays. Most of the drinks range in price from $4.99 to $12.99.

With merchandise and social media, Keeney has gotten the word out about the business.

“The biggest challenges is the ideas I want to do,” Keeney said. “There are not enough hours in the day.”

He isn’t sure what will happen to the business once he graduates from UMass, likely next spring, though he envisions expanding.

“I’m hoping to keep cruising along after college and then will be able to put more time into it,” Keeney said.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.