Health and wellness store Riverside Nutrition opens in Elkader

By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register

A new business has come to Elkader, led by an ambitious entrepreneur looking to build an empire toward healthy living. Her name is Karlee Cleary, who, after spending almost seven years working for Herbal Life on the social media side of the company, made the decision to branch out on her own. She always longed to be self-employed, and since opening her first business little more than a year ago, she enters Elkader to open her sixth Riverside Nutrition (RSN). 

The decision to come to Elkader was based on several factors, including the positive feedback Karlee received after conversing with other local business owners. Elkader is also a tourist destination with a rich historical and cultural heritage that is always looking for new businesses and opportunities to grow and diversify. Karlee also knew people in Elkader are driving to Prairie du Chien, Wis., to pay for the same products she will be selling: healthy shakes, protein coffees, energizing herbal tea and the popular boba. 

It’s not just that, though. Karlee is also confident in the business model and the modernized style of the shop itself, replete with free Wi-Fi and an inviting atmosphere. The style sells the shop as a safe place that promotes diversity, creativity and positivity. It’s targeted to all people because, after all, being healthier is not a niche market. In fact, the health industry is thriving, as evidenced by the $4.2 trillion it generates annually. So it’s a rather safe bet. 

“We want to make people feel comfortable. It’s really for everyone and it’s healthier than a Monster,” Karlee said. 

One reason to trust in Karlee’s assessment of Elkader is the social media response the business received. After making the Facebook page for RSN Elkader, it received 500 likes on the first day and the comments section is rampant with anticipation. 

While Karlee is the owner of the business, she won’t be running it on her own. For that, she has brought along two dedicated customers who frequented the location in Dubuque. In fact, that’s how Karlee finds all of the people she trusts to run the day-to-day operations of the stores while she searches for the next health store hot spot. 

Running the store will be a pair of high school seniors who currently work at a nursing home in Dubuque: Kaitlyn Ziegenfuss and Audrey Habel. 

Kaitlyn’s journey began as a customer in March 2020, when she met Karlee in the Dubuque location. When the Elkader location became a reality, that relationship prompted Karlee to handpick Kaitlyn to run it alongside Audrey. Kaitlyn made the decision because she supports the overall goal and trusts Karlee. She also appreciates the growth potential of the business and the appeal of being self-employed. The Edgewood resident also noted the drive to work will be shorter, and she has every intention of leaving the nursing home, fully putting her eggs in the RSN basket. 

As for Audrey, who resides in Bankston, her arrival at RSN mimics that of Kaitlyn. She also noted that Karlee has a reason for her confidence in the decision to take on the role of running a business. 

Both girls mentioned a bit of nerves about being young and still in high school, but see the opportunity as a stepping stone for the future. Then there is the impact of bettering themselves, as well as gaining business savvy and bettering the community in terms of health. They also have the full support of Karlee, who, being the elder of the group at 26, is looking to help other young women find business success. 

“It’s about women empowering women. I didn’t have anyone and I want to give them what I didn’t have. I wouldn’t invest in them or the community if I didn’t believe they could do it and if I didn’t believe in the product,” Karlee said. 

All of this is possible because Karlee had a vision, part of which includes supporting the local economy. In prepping the store for opening, Karlee bought as much as she could locally, such as getting the lumber from Meuser Lumber Co. She donated teas to local businesses, supported sporting events at the school and had customer appreciation days. It’s all designed to reflect the willingness to immerse the business into the fabric of the town and promote the friendly environment RSN wants to cultivate. 

This is not without some challenges. While COVID-19 seems to have waned in intensity, the lingering effects remain. One is the cost and availability of lumber and other supplies, including inventory to be sold in the store. All of this delayed the opening process, but through sheer perseverance and force of character, Karlee opened the doors on May 15. She remains optimistic about the public demand for the store’s products, and with the increased demand for healthier food and living options since the start of the pandemic, there is little reason for the empowered trio to feel anything less than enthusiastic. 

“I have a lot of faith in the community and it gives me the confidence to say that we won’t fail,” Karlee said. 

RSN Elkader is located at 107 W. Bridge St.