CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Whether it’s a chocolate or vanilla shake, a tea, or a smoothie bowl, you can practically smell the protein powder walking into Third Coast Nutrition, located on the Island.
Owner Chanel Bedros said she’s always wanted to open a business, but started to seriously consider it a little more than a year ago.
“I wanted to be able to own my own business and serve the community especially here in Corpus…and serve healthy options," Bedros said. "It’s a fast, convenient way to get the healthiness out there for the city."
Bedros said opening a business during the pandemic came with a few challenges like slower arrival times for Amazon's orders that had chairs and decorations for her business.
She also said she experienced longer wait times to get permits through the City of Corpus Christi, but said city officials worked with her.
“They were very nice to us," Bedros said. "They really made me feel like they were on my side to help me get everything passed in time for opening."
After the Big Freeze, she said plumbers were backed up with orders, so getting pipes fixed and hot water was a bit of a challenge.
Some customers like Marisa Zetelski and her neighbor Bree Brummett come to support small businesses because some businesses have had to go through such a hard time during the pandemic.
“It’s like a part of our home. It makes our island culture just a huge sense of community,” Zetelski said about supporting small businesses.
Bedros said it’s all on business owners to make their own success.
“Expect to go into it alone," she said. "You’re the only person who has your name on the lease. If you’re a single business owner, You’re the only person who’s going to get the work done."
She also said that it’s the customers and community that keep her going.
“Having a physical location where I get to physically interact with people and be a part of the actual community was really on my heart," Bedros said. "So I’m super happy this came together the way it did."
Bedros said a sister store is also opening up in Gregory-Portland next month.