“We have weathered the changes in the mall and we are trying our best to deal with the recent shutdown,” Byron Ingram said. “When I started this business, I didn’t plan to fail and figured I would keep it going as long as I kept an interest in it.”
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His stores are located in the Dayton Mall, 2700 Miamisburg Centerville Road and a second location in the Mall at Fairfield Commons, 2727 Fairfield Commons in Beavercreek.
His wife Nichole 46, works in pre-natal care for Miami Valley Hospital part-time, while handling administrative duties for the business. Son Austin, 22, also pitches in and daughter Bryanna, 20, is a student at Western Kentucky.
“My son and I also serve in the Air National Guard (Air Force) out of Springfield,” Ingram said. “This business is really a family affair. When I separated from the Air Force full-time I was in Florida and came back to Ohio start this business and wanted to provide something nutritious people would like.”
Times were different then, he added, noting that NCR, General Motors and the economy were humming right along in the Dayton area and business was good.
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“I had paid off a second mortgage pretty quick that I had taken out to start the business,” Ingram said. ‘We’ve really been able to employ also more than 200 college and high school students in our stores over the years.”
Now the pandemic has presented a challenge, but the soon-to-be 20-year business owner is thinking of others.
“We started a fundraiser about three weeks ago to provide smoothies for healthcare heroes,” he explained. “It was a great success and raised over $1,000. We were able to coordinate and deliver over 200 smoothies to local hospitals. We are now in our second round of fundraising so we can do it again.”
Ingram sees his wife on the go and helping others and realizes that getting something nutritious to healthcare workers who must remain on the go is important. He has talked to several first responders and local hospitals about being able to provide free smoothies.
“I am sure many of them do not have time to stop and enjoy a sit down lunch or dinner. A smoothie offers a quick easy way to recharge.,” he said. “For every $5 donation we will provide a 24-ounce smoothie.”
So far the the fundraiser is nearing the $300 mark of the $1,000 goal and Ingram is hoping that the project works out.
“I am thankful for the healthcare workers that are putting in so much time and effort during this crisis,” he said. “This is something that I enjoyed doing for them before and want to do this again.”
Anyone interested in contributing to the fundraiser can visit www.facebook.com/donate/857647961312262 or call 937-470-6142.
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