Lacy and Dustin Kennon opened Halls Nutrition on Sept. 28, and word is spreading quickly, judging by the constant stream of customers just in their first two weeks of business.

“There aren’t really any healthy options in Halls, and customers have been telling us that they have wanted a place like this for a long time,” said Dustin Kennon.

Halls Nutrition makes protein-rich shakes and loaded teas that are low in calories and vitamin-packed, as well as specialty energy drinks that make for a healthy snack.

Bearden Nutrition is where the concept began, and Lacy Kennon admits she was one of their first customers.

“We came to adore and love the owners, Leslie and Jason, and early summer we approached them about opening our own location,” she said of their shop at 314 South Church Street in Halls. “We wanted a small community feel and knew we needed to find somewhere in Halls or South Knoxville, but things just fell into space in Halls.”

Halls Nutrition is independently owned and operated, according to Lacy Kennon.

“Bearden Nutrition is like a support team and helped teach us a consistent way to make the drinks,” she added. “We have spent a lot of time making the shakes and teas.”

The Kennons explained that #LookForTheElephant signifies their affiliation with Bearden Nutrition.

The menu includes vegetarian, KETO, gluten-free and Weight Watchers-friendly options.

“Our meal replacement shakes are good for breakfast and lunch,” said Lacy Kennon. “When new customers come in, I ask them whether they want a meal replacement or a pick me up?”

The loaded teas have 24 calories and 200 mg of caffeine. “That’s the equivalent of two cups of coffee, and they have no sugar and four grams of carbs,” said Lacy Kennon. “They are also loaded with vitamins C, B6 and B12, green, black and oolong tea for energy and metabolism boost, ginseng and guarana for focus and mental alertness. As well as aloe for digestion and absorption.”

Halls Nutrition shakes have 24-27 grams of protein, 10-14 net carbs, have 200-250 calories, low sugar content and 24 vitamins and minerals for more energy.

All drinks are made with filtered water and pellet ice to keep the loaded teas cool and ensure consistency in the shakes.

So far, the Miami Vice and Bahama Mama loaded teas and the Peanut Butter shakes have been the most popular.

And there is a menu of kids’ drinks. “They do not have caffeine or sugar, they have CR7, which are electrolytes and good for young athletes,” said Lacy Kennon. There are 13 flavors with fun names such as Nemo, Captain America, Wonder Woman and the Little Mermaid. CR7 was developed by Herbalife in partnership with soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo.

“We get a lot of CrossFit people,” said Dustin Kennon. “We are not trying to put people on nutrition plans, we don’t want to do that. We are just here to serve them healthy options.”

“There has been a large variation (in customers),” said Lacy Kennon. “Some people have had gastric bypass surgery, or they may need a certain amount of protein in their diet or just need a post-workout pick me up. We have had high school students to Knox County commissioners coming in so far.”

The Kennons have been using social media to spread the word, offering $1 off a drink when people post and tag them on Instagram or Facebook @hallsnutrition.

“Curbside pickup or call ahead ordering are available,” said Dustin Kennon. “Lacy has an efficient bar set up to make the teas and shakes, and already has the shakes prepped. We can sell those prepped shakes for people to take home and it they can’t come in for a few days we offer dried tea to dissolve and add ice to.”

Lacy Kennon is a dental hygienist by trade, and her husband is lending a hand at Halls Nutrition when he is not traveling all over the Southeast for work.

The opening process has taken three months. Lacy and Dustin Kennon said they wanted to create a welcoming atmosphere in the shop – the interior is rustic, clean and simple with butcher block countertops and shiplap finishes.

Halls Nutrition is open 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, and morning rush has been the busiest time of the day so far.