K2 Roots State College: A Journey of Health and Wellness

Introduction

K2 Roots, a local healthy eatery, has become a notable addition to the State College community. Founded in 2017 by former Penn State wrestler and Olympic gold medalist David Taylor and his wife, Kendra, K2 Roots began as a personal journey toward healthier living. Discovering the benefits of juicing, the Taylors sought to share their newfound knowledge and passion with others, leading to the creation of K2 Roots. This article explores the history, offerings, and impact of K2 Roots on the State College community.

The Genesis of K2 Roots

The story of K2 Roots began with David and Kendra Taylor's personal transformation through juicing. Noticing "a huge difference" in their health, they started sharing their experiences with friends. This eventually led to the decision to turn their passion into a business. They initially rented a kitchen at Gray's Woods Church before establishing their first store in Gray's Woods, which has been open since 2018.

Expansion to Downtown State College

Recognizing the opportunity to reach a wider audience, David and Kendra Taylor set their sights on downtown State College. Despite previous challenges, an opportunity arose, allowing them to establish a flagship location at 109 S. Fraser St., formerly Salúd Juicery. The new location aimed to "spread health and wellness to a lot more people."

Menu and Offerings

K2 Roots boasts a diverse menu featuring juices, smoothies, bowls, and more. The downtown location introduced an expanded juice menu and new offerings like grab-and-go snacks. The menu includes smoothies, smoothie bowls, healthy snacks, breakfast options, coffee, and a variety of juices.

Juices

K2 Roots offers a series of staple juices that are always available, alongside rotating seasonal juices. The brand also offers several varieties of green juices to fit varying preferences.

Flourish: This is described as the most popular green juice, with Kendra Taylor blending the ingredients to make it the sweetest green option.
Resistance: The second-most popular juice, it has an orange base.
Charge: David Taylor's favorite, this is the least sweet green juice, designed for those seeking maximum greens intake.

Smoothies and Bowls

K2 Roots also offers a variety of smoothies and bowls.

Thin Mint Smoothie: This smoothie tastes like mint chocolate chip ice cream and has a perfect consistency.
Paradise Smoothie: This smoothie is bright, refreshing, and has a great thickness.
PB Bliss Bowl: This bowl features bananas, peanut butter drizzle, granola, chia seeds, and cacao nibs.
Açaí Bowl: This bowl contains fresh fruit and creamy açaí.

Atmosphere and Experience

Beyond the menu, the atmosphere at K2 Roots contributes to its appeal. The eatery is described as spotless, with nice and helpful workers. The atmosphere makes it a great place to enjoy a healthy meal while working or relaxing.

Community Engagement

K2 Roots is committed to supporting the local community by partnering with local brands and farmers to source ingredients. Some of the healthy grab-and-go snack and dessert options are sourced from the local and keto-friendly Marie Lane Bakery.

Challenges and Future Plans

Opening a secondary location while expecting their second child and with David Taylor competing in the 2020 Summer Olympics presented significant challenges for the Taylors. However, their focus on health and nutrition, combined with careful planning, enabled them to manage these challenges.

K2 Roots also offers its products via delivery and at Rothrock Coffee.

Transition and Relocation

K2 Roots & Vitality Wellness Club announced its departure from its downtown State College location at 109 Fraser St. following its closure on a particular Sunday. The shop planned to relocate to 114 S. Fraser St. K2 Roots offers juices made fresh and designed to improve health, including drinks focused on detox, cleansing, immunity, and more. K2 told Onward State that while it didn’t have a set opening date for its new location, it expected to start back up within a month.

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