The Nutrition Shop is also a place to talk about books – or just read

When Taylor Mittelstaedt opened Elevate Nutrition Eden Prairie in 2021, she wanted to not only help people improve their health, but also create a community.

“This space really offers a lot of different opportunities,” Mittelstaedt said. “It’s about interaction and giving people a place to come. It’s also a wellness center where we can sell Herbalife shakes and teas and act as a coach if people want to lose weight, for example.”

Although Herbalife has been selling meal replacement shakes and nutritional supplements for 44 years, a retail store and “the idea of ​​a shake shop or nutrition club are fairly new and evolving over time,” she said.

“One word we used a lot when designing the space was ‘welcome.’ We wanted an environment where everyone felt comfortable.”

Therefore, the colorful store at 7402 Mitchell Road is not only a place to go for everything related to nutrition, but also hosts events such as craft nights, Dungeons and Dragons sessions and a biannual free clothing sale.

“It’s really my passion to bring people together,” she said. “And I love doing creative things.”

When Mittelstaedt heard about the Silent Book Clubs, she knew they would be a good fit for her community.

The Silent Book Club has become popular through social media and is growing in popularity across the country, with new clubs springing up all over the country, especially in metropolitan areas.

“I first saw it on Tik Tok,” Mittelstaedt said. “And I thought the idea was so funny. I looked it up and could only find one in Minneapolis, which isn’t too far away but not really convenient for me, so I thought I’d just try one here.”

She used her social media pages and hosted the first in-store meeting in February.

A sign in their store reads: “Don’t worry, we’re not really quiet!” So ​​how does it work?

Mittelstaedt explained: “People come together and bring the book they are reading. We chat a bit at the beginning, then we just read together with other readers.”

“We share what we’re reading. Within the first 30 minutes, everyone has their phone out and we’re on Goodreads or StoryGraph adding to our list of books we want to read. We can talk about our favorite books and people might recommend similar books to us.”

Unlike more traditional book clubs, says Mittelstaedt, “you don’t have to attend every time, and there’s no expectation that everyone will read the same book at the same pace.”

Nevertheless, participants benefit from being with other readers and can discuss the advantages of e-books over print copies, the pros and cons of the Libby library app, or favorite authors.

While Mittelstaedt said her members prefer print books, “there are a few diehard Kindle girls. We discuss that too. And also hardback versus paperback. Do you bend the spine and fold it or leave it pristine? We’re open to all of that. We’re real book lovers.”

Although popular fiction predominates, people are encouraged to bring what they are reading, and members enjoy hearing what others are reading.

Julia Rowland is an avid reader and has read 21 books so far this year. “I like to read a variety of books, so I find it interesting to see and hear what other people are reading,” she said.

Kate Nosbusch not only enjoys exchanging ideas with people who may have read the same book, but also enjoys getting to know genres or books “that I don’t normally read alone.”

Nosbusch also appreciates the “Little Free Library” of books for all ages that Mittelstaedt has maintained at the Elevate center since it opened. Mittelstaedt encourages people to browse it if they are looking for something to read at a meeting.

Despite their busy schedules and lives, members also appreciate having time to read. Nosbusch and Rowland are each members of two other book clubs, and often read selections from those other clubs in the Silent Book Club. “It’s a time when I know I’m really going to dedicate myself to reading and not get distracted by other things,” Nosbusch said.

Michelle Baird has been a regular at Elevate since it opened and regularly attends store events. “I was intrigued when I first heard about the Silent Book Club,” Baird said. “It inspired me to start reading again, which I really appreciate.” Although she belonged to a traditional book club years ago, “I was busy with my life and my business, so now I like having time dedicated just to reading.”

Baird reads a lot of business books and also enjoys biographies and fiction. She also enjoys the combination of social interaction and reading.

“Taylor creates a fun and comfortable space where you can show up with your book, sit down and read, or even sit and chat for a while,” Baird said. “And it’s made me finish this business book I’ve been meaning to tinker with for two months!”

The combination of socializing and reading also appeals to Rowland, who attends most of the meetings. “I’m an introvert and I also like to read, and sometimes I want to be around other people without the pressure of having to talk,” she said.

Although Rowland has checked out the Minneapolis club, “What I like about Taylor’s is that it’s smaller. It’s more intimate and it’s easier to talk to people. And I don’t have to worry about whether there’s a seat for me or not.”

While some silent book clubs meet in different locations, Nosbusch appreciates the convenience and consistency of in-store meetings.

When the weather cooperated, the group ventured to local parks. “It was also fun to get out into nature this summer and explore more places in Eden Prairie,” Nosbusch said.

Making new friends is also a benefit. “I have a few members who have brought other people with them. That way people stay connected and keep getting to know each other, which is really cool,” Mittelstaedt said. “We stay in touch with each other, which is really nice.”

The conversations can also lead to further networking opportunities as readers discover common interests. For example, when Baird heard about Elevate’s biannual clothing swap, she was happy to help by bringing excess clothing to the homeless shelter where she volunteers.

Baird also enlisted another friend to deliver children’s clothing to a crisis daycare center in Minneapolis. “Taylor knows that the clothes are coming right out of my car and being distributed to people who need them. It’s a wonderful thing and I love that she does this twice a year,” Baird said. “It’s a win-win situation.”

“I love having an excuse to hang out with friends And “I love reading and sometimes I have to choose between reading and meeting friends, especially when I’m working full time. So now it’s the best of both worlds.”

Mittelstaedt agrees that it’s nice when friends can do things together. “It can be hard to make new friends and even maintain existing friendships,” she says. “You really have to make an effort, so it helps to have events in a place like this where you can just come, don’t need money, do crafts, read a book, hang out, chat. … I love it.”

People of all ages and reading interests are welcome to join the Silent Book Club. The best way to find out about meetings is to follow Elevate Eden Prairie on Instagram or Facebook or stop by the store.

“The more people there are, the more fun it is because we get more ideas for books and have more fun conversations with other readers. Come alone or bring a friend!” said Mittelstaedt. “It’s about making friends! That’s my whole purpose in life: making friends.”