Fort Montgomery business helps your health
Parents: don’t be alarmed if you hear your kids say they’re “going to see Sasha to get a drink”!
By Sasha, they’re referring to Sashanell Garcia, the owner of Fort Montgomery’s newest business, On Set Nutrition. She’s been at her location, 888 Rt. 9W in Fort Montgomery (right across from the Fort Montgomery Elementary School) for about three weeks now, and is fast becoming a very busy place.
Garcia sells just four products. Dairy-free smoothies (“with 21 vitamins and minerals!”), which are about 200 calories each; juice refreshers which are about 20 calories each; and iced coffee. The fourth item is a box of protein donuts — ten mini ‘pronuts’ (30 calories each) that come with a wide variety of fun toppings.
So when your kids go see Sasha, know that they are getting something good for them!
Protein is the common denominator in her drinks … “we don’t normally get enough protein in our daily intake,” she said.
“It really is all about nutrition, but fun, delicious nutrition.”
Sashanell Garcia
Speaking of fun …. the names of her drinks are pretty fun. Refreshers, which are sugar-free, range from Fort Montgomery Pride to Pink Panther to OneLove (Garcia is a native of Jamaica … this one includes pineapple, peach, mango, strawberry and apple flavorings) to Busta Limes to Tutti Fruitti. Smoothies include Oreo Dream, Birthday Cake, Chunky Monkey Pumpkin and more.
There’s even a kid refresher: the Pika-Chu!
Garcia’s products are made to order, each takes three minutes or so, and include Herbalife products.
“It really is all about nutrition,” Garcia said, “but fun, delicious nutrition.”
Garcia, a resident of Salisbury Mills, is the mother of three boys — Savion 18, Ethan 15, and Tyler 11. She’s new to owning her own business, and comes to this venture after 19 years as a personal banker for Chase.
How did she end up in Fort Montgomery? She drove through the town en route to New York City daily.
She found Herbalife two years ago, wanting to lose some weight and increase her energy; in doing that she found a new community of friends, she says.
“And, I dropped 10 pounds in a month and fell in love,” she said.
In opening her store, she wanted to share that good nutrition.
“I see a lot of people already who are very into fitness,” Garcia said Friday. “Some who are coming in, some who are running or walking past the store. That’s great!”
Right now she is her only employee, and is at work Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. She hopes to eventually have more employees, and as social distancing restrictions lift she hopes to become more of a place where people come to spend a little time socializing.
On Set Nutrition has quickly become popular, with everyone from young children to adults, and particularly with the teenage crowd. She’s already got “regulars” and has quickly become friendly with each of them.
Her drinks aren’t only healthy, but very pretty, with swirls and layers of color … she kind of looks like a bartender behind the counter, mixing and measuring precise components of each drink.
Most importantly, after three weeks, Garcia is very happy she set up shop in Fort Montgomery.
Business has been great, and I love how receptive everyone has been of me,” she said. “I’ve had great advice from people, and have enjoyed hearing that they are liking the drinks.”
As she becomes part of the Highlands community, Garcia welcomes two special groups of people into her store for weekly discounts — she has Teacher Tuesday and First Responder Friday events in place, and is happy to welcome and celebrate them.
Her prices range from $5 to $10.
“Being your own boss is hard work, I have learned,” Garcia said, but with a smile.But I’m a people person, and this has been … well, just very nice so far!”
