17-year-old entrepreneur Nicholas Robbins has always had a passion for health and fitness.
When he was in sixth grade, Robbins struggled to be overweight, so he made it his goal to eat healthier and exercise frequently, which helped improve his overall health. .
Six years later, as a recent graduate of Port Huron Northern High School, Robbins still has the same spirit. In April, Robbins opened Port Huron Acaiits first food truck located at 522 Michigan St. in Port Huron.
Nicholas Robbins, 17, is the owner of Port Huron Açaí, which serves fresh smoothies and açaí bowls.“I wanted to pass on this passion for health to people in my community, and I thought the food truck would be a great way to do that,” says Robbins.
Port Huron Açaí specializes in açaí bowls and smoothies. The bowls contain an acai base topped with fresh fruit, granola and a drizzle of the customer’s choice. For an additional $1, customers can add additional toppings and drizzles to their bowl, including coconut flakes, cocoa nibs, hemp seeds, chia seeds, peanut butter, almond butter, Nutella and any fruit.
For smoothies, Robbins uses frozen fruit – strawberries, bananas, blueberries, raspberries or blackberries, depending on the smoothie, mixed with almond milk. Customers can add a plant protein powder to enhance their smoothie – chocolate or peanut butter flavor.
Robbins says he used his high school’s co-op program to spend the last two hours of his school day working in the food truck. Now that he’s graduated, he hopes to open the food truck earlier in the week so customers can start their day with a healthy breakfast.
With plans to attend the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business in the fall, Robbins hopes to hire staff so she can focus more on her studies.
“I’m thinking of doing something in the co-op program in Port Huron Northern where I’ll have high school students help run the food truck,” says Robbins. “We can also teach them how to manage finances and everything that goes along with running the business, including working there.”
In the future, Robbins hopes to become more involved in community events, giving residents the opportunity to try his açaí bowls and smoothies. Overall, he says he is grateful for the support of his family, especially his mother, in making his dream a reality.
“It’s gratifying to watch him grow. I’m so proud as a mom. Seeing other people enthusiastic about it makes me really happy,” says Andrea Robbins-Margeas, Robbins’ mother.
For more information on Port Huron Açaí and to stay up to date on hours and offerings, visit facebook.com/porthuronacai.
