SYDNEY RIVER, N.S. — Wayne Miller remains hopeful for the future of downtown Sydney but the realities of today have necessitated a consolidation of two of his health food locations to one spot in Sydney River.
The Charlotte Street location of Downtown Nutrition closed earlier this month after seven years of smoothies, health supplements and popular pizza.
Though those services and many others are now found under the larger Sydney River location, it wasn’t a decision Miller made lightly.
“It just made business sense to put it all under one roof, just because we are servicing the same clientele between both stores,” Miller said, during an interview from the Kings Road location.
“There is a five minute gap between them so it just made more sense — let’s try it all under one.”
Downtown Nutrition
- Owner: Wayne Miller
- Opened: 2012 on Charlotte Street
- Origins: A health fanatic, Miller said the idea for DTN came to him after finding it difficult to purchase economical sports supplements in Cape Breton.
- Current Location: Sydney River
- Services: Health food, smoothies, supplements, apparel
- Hours: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Brand: DTN
- Online: https://www.downtownnutrition.ca/
There were other factors in the decision, too, including population decline.
In July, the preliminary findings of a comprehensive examination on the area's population, conducted by accounting firm Grant Thornton, were presented to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. The draft report attributed the significant decrease in the region’s population to the loss of major industries and the ensuing high unemployment.
“The 18-30-year-old demographic seems to be on the move for opportunities and we definitely notice it in our business,” said Miller.
“So with that population decline, it makes more sense just to service everybody from one location versus two until Cape Breton has an economic boom or something changes locally where the age group decides to come back.”
Ever-changing and expanding aspects of his business have resulted in a growing demographic of clientele in the 18-65 range.
“Initially, when we first opened in downtown, we were doing smoothies and sports supplement, so we saw a younger demographic,” he recalled of the Charlotte Street spot he started with just one blender.
“As time went on we kept adding different features and food and we attracted a new demographic of people, so now people just come for the food. That’s probably our biggest draw right now, the food we are serving.”
The DTN branded protein, recovery, and energy products can also be found at gyms around the island and have been selling off-island through online sales.
Miller’s main location in Sydney River has been open for three years in what he refers to as the "health hub" due to its proximity to Platinum Fitness, Cabot Physiotherapy and other gyms.
All employees of the Charlotte Street location are now working there.
Miller hasn’t ruled out a return to downtown Sydney someday and expansion to other downtowns.
Before a potential return to Sydney, though, he’ll be monitoring the impact of the Nova Scotia Community College to downtown Sydney, among other things.
“We’d love to go back downtown to a vibrant, upbeat … location down there but right now it is just that we have a vibrant location here in Sydney River.
"People say it is not downtown. Well, I say we are bringing downtown to Sydney River.”
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