R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press Business owner Sage Clark pours a two-flavor loaded tea at Sip 906 Nutrition, found at 921 Delta Ave. in Gladstone.

EDITOR NOTE: The Daily Press will be featuring a series of articles on local businesses, highlighting their history and what makes them unique. The series will run on a regular basis in the Daily Press.

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GLADSTONE — 0gSip 906 Nutrition, which a young business owner opened this spring, slings cool beverages at 921 Delta Avenue.

Before renting the storefront on Gladstone’s main street that most recently housed the headquarters of the Gladstone Michigan Soo Line Steam Engine #730 Authority, Sip 906 owner Sage Clark — a 2021 graduate of Escanaba High School — began selling deconstructed tea kits from home in November 2024, offering customers collection or delivery.

The drinks she sells come from Herbalife Nutrition, a multi-level marketing corporation that develops and sells products geared towards weight management and health. Some vendors have small, home-based operations, like Clark did starting out, while others distribute from independently-owned “nutrition clubs.”

Clark was introduced to the brand’s loaded teas at a club downstate while visiting her sister. She said that she really enjoyed the drinks and the effects of the caffeine- and vitamin-packed formula.

“When you drink any of those canned energy drinks, you get the caffeine hype, but then, like, midday, you crash because of all the sugar that’s packed into those drinks,” Clark said. “With my loaded teas, the sweetness comes from stevia leaf extract … so it’s more natural.”

Everything comes in a concentrate, and a few different ones go into each loaded tea.

When Clark decided to expand into a storefront, some accommodations had to be made to 921 Delta — which she is renting — to make it suitable for the purpose. A new water heater and a couple new appliances were installed; Clark’s brother and boyfriend built countertops; her brother-in-law did the plumbing; about half a dozen people helped paint the interior.

While it was a little daunting to take the leap to open a business, Clark said that a lot of conversations with her sister reassured her that at least trying to make the plunge would be more rewarding than being too afraid to do so.

In April 2025, the storefront of Sip 906 Nutrition was ready to open.

Clark said she’ll never forget the week leading up the grand opening. After passing inspection by the Health Department on a Monday, Sip 906 put the news out on social media on Tuesday. On Thursday, they did “drops” of free samples to local businesses. Friday was the soft opening.

“We had a lot of those businesses that we dropped off to return on Friday wanting more,” Clark said, noting that the interest from those customers was a good sign, an indication that Sip 906 could be successful.

Having been a barista for four years, Clark is comfortable behind the counter and dealing with people, but nervousness had stacked up before the grand opening.

Saturday, April 19 was the grand opening — and grand it was.

“I think word of mouth and from a bunch of us putting stuff out on social media, so many people in the community showed up,” Clark said. “People from Escanaba, people from Bark River, people from Gladstone, people from Rapid. It was so crazy. …I’m so grateful for the way that everything happened that week.”

Only a few flavors of teas had been on the menu at first, but Sip 906 quickly began expanding their selection. There are now menus for loaded teas (caffeinated to provide an energy boost) with many flavor varieties and combinations, protein shakes, protein coffee, refreshers, protinis, and add-ins. There are monthly specials, too.

Clark has found that Sip 906 is particularly busy on Thursdays and Fridays, as well as farmers market Mondays. Since she’s so far only been open this spring and summer, time will tell how the other seasons fare, but business is good so far.

“Usually on Wednesdays, I offer deliveries within a 10-mile radius,” Clark said. “Occasionally I’ll do another pop-up (delivery) day in the week, if we’re feeling like it or if I have extra hands.”

She hired two new employees recently.

People can keep tabs on the delivery days and other updates by following Sip 906 Nutrition on Facebook and sip906nutrition_ on Instagram.

At the moment, all of the drinks at Sip 906 are sold cold — over ice or blended — but a hot lineup can be expected when the weather turns.

In the future, Clark said she’d like to be able to open a beverage truck or a second location. Right now, she’s still in school, with another semester left at Bay College before graduating with a business degree.

For the time being, the location in Gladstone is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.