FARGO — Whether you’re craving a fruity pick-me-up, a protein shake or simply a place to unwind, Nicole Olson hopes her new “Friends”-themed nutrition shop will be there for you.
Inside Roberts Alley, Olson’s newly opened Pivot Nutrition looks less like a typical nutrition shop and more like Central Perk.
Rather than creating another grab-and-go nutrition shop, Olson said she wanted customers to feel comfortable and to do exactly what Monica, Phoebe, Joey and the others would do — pull up a seat, stay awhile and keep coming back.
“I wanted it to be a place where people could come and just hang out and not feel like they’re in a nutrition shop,” Olson said. “A lot of other places like this, nutrition shops, they do more challenges, weight loss focused things, and we can incorporate that here too, but I just kind of wanted it to be more of a hangout spot.”
While the menu centers on nutrition-focused beverages, the shop’s decor brings a little piece of New York City to Robert’s Alley.
‘The One Where Customers Stay Awhile’
The sitcom’s influence starts before customers even walk through the door.
A glass garage door, opened on warm days, displays the Pivot logo alongside quotes inspired by the sitcom.
Teal and purple accent walls, featuring the iconic yellow peep-hole frame, make visitors feel like they’ve stepped into Monica’s apartment.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
A vinyl mural featuring a brick wall and a New York City skyline printed in a coffee-stained newspaper style adds another nod to city life and the show’s beloved coffee shop Central Perk
“The teal color was already here, so as soon as I saw it, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s going to be great,” Olson said. “The purple little accent and the brick is obviously a nod to Monica’s apartment.”
Many of the finishing touches — from the couch to the decorations — came from thrift stores and Facebook Marketplace.
A brown couch invites visitors to settle in with a drink, flip through “Friends” trivia cards and set their beverages on themed coasters. Nearby, a lobster pillow pays tribute to Phoebe’s famous “he’s her lobster” line, while a “Friends” LEGO set adds another touch for fans.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
Olson’s love for the sitcom dates back to college after a friend introduced her to the series.
“She was obsessed with it and got me into it. I bought myself the entire series of the DVDs back in the day,” she said. “It was one of those shows that was something you could relate to, and it was just fun to watch.”
The shop’s name is also a nod to one of television’s most memorable moments.
While Ross Geller’s frantic cry of “Pivot!” inspired the branding, Olson said the name also reflects life’s unexpected changes. The concept solidified after Olson and her family visited the “Friends” Experience in Las Vegas, where visitors can recreate the famous couch-moving scene.
“Just kind of pivoting through life,” Olson said. “You change things up sometimes, and sometimes things come up, and you’ve just got to pivot.”
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A different kind of nutrition shop
Although the decor may resemble a sitcom coffeehouse, Pivot Nutrition serves protein shakes, caffeinated Power Teas, protein coffees, snacks and grab-and-go nutrition options, including pre-packaged tea kits.
Olson said she wants first-time customers — especially those unfamiliar with nutrition shops — to feel comfortable asking questions.
“If someone comes in and they’ve never been in a nutrition shop before, it can be overwhelming,” Olson said. “We do our best to explain the different options.”
Chris Flynn / The Forum
Unlike some nutrition shops, Olson said she intentionally avoids adding syrups or fresh fruit that increase the sugar content of drinks, preferring to keep the nutritional profile consistent.
The menu does not yet feature any “Friends”-themed beverages, but Olson does hope to add in weekday specials — possibly making Mondays “Monica Mondays” and offering a discount.
Finding a home in Roberts Alley
Pivot Nutrition is Olson’s second nutrition business. Earlier this year, she opened Revive Nutrition in Grand Forks after becoming a regular customer at another Fargo nutrition shop herself. When a fellow Realtor told her about the available Roberts Alley space, she saw an opportunity to create something different.
Outside of the nutrition business, Olson is a full-time Realtor, co-owner of Trilogy Real Estate, and the mother of five children.
Just weeks after opening June 22, she said the downtown business community has welcomed her with open arms.
“Everybody’s been so welcoming,” Olson said. “Everybody’s been great. They want everybody to succeed down here. Businesses do come and go, unfortunately, but I hope to stay for a long time.”
Chris Flynn / The Forum
Olson also hopes the business becomes a family affair. Her 12- and 16-year-old daughters already enjoy helping around the shop, and she hopes one day they may choose to carry it forward.
“That’s a big part of why we decided to do these, honestly, was for our kids,” she said.
Olson also hopes that the community can not only find their new favorite place, but also find fundraising opportunities through the nutrition shop’s “Sip with Purpose.”
has current hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with hopes to extend the hours to 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. once staff is fully trained and school is back in session.
For now, Olson’s focus is simple: creating a place where people want to return.
“I just want to make sure that I am consistent with my hours, my customer service and a welcoming atmosphere,” she said.