Nutrition shop is also a place to talk about books – or just to read ’em

When Taylor Mittelstaedt opened Elevate Nutrition Eden Prairie in 2021, she wanted not only to help people improve their health but to create community. 

“This space really does a lot of different things,” said Mittelstaedt. “It is about interacting and having a place for people to come. It is also a wellness center where we sell Herbalife shakes and teas and can act as their coach if people want to lose weight, for example.”

Though the Herbalife company has been selling meal replacement shakes and nutritional supplements for 44 years, a brick-and-mortar storefront and “the idea of a shake shop or nutrition club is pretty new and is evolving over time,” she said.

“A word we used a lot when creating the space was ‘welcome.’ We wanted an environment where everyone feels comfortable.”  

As a result, the colorful store at 7402 Mitchell Road is not only a destination for all things nutrition but also hosts events like craft nights, Dungeons and Dragons sessions, and a semi-annual free clothing shop.

“It really is just my passion to bring people together,” she said. “And I love doing creative things.”

So when Mittelstaedt heard about silent book clubs, she knew it would be a great fit for her community.

Popularized on social media, the silent book club is a growing concept nationwide, with clubs cropping up all over the country, mostly in metropolitan areas. 

“I first saw it on Tik Tok,” Mittelstaedt said. “And I thought it was such a fun idea. I looked it up and could only find one in Minneapolis, which is not too terribly far, but not the most convenient for me, so I thought I’d just try one out here.”

She took to her social media pages and hosted the first meeting in February in the store. 

A sign in her store says: “Don’t worry – we’re not actually silent!” So how does it work? 

Mittelstaedt explained: “People come together, bring whatever book they’re reading. There’s a little chatting in the beginning, then we just read alongside other readers.

“We share what we’re reading. The first 30 minutes or so everyone has their phones out, and we are on Goodreads or StoryGraph, adding to our list of books we want to read. We can talk about our favorite reads, and people may recommend similar ones.” 

Unlike more traditional book clubs, said Mittelstaedt, “there is no commitment to attend every time, or be expected to all read the same book at the same pace.” 

Yet attendees still benefit from being around fellow readers and discussing the merits of e-books versus hard copies, the pros and cons of the Libby library app, or favorite authors. 

While Mittelstaedt said her members tend to favor hard-copy books, “there are a couple die-hard Kindle girls. We do kind of debate about that, too. Also, hard versus paperback. Do you crack the spine and dog-ear or keep it pristine? We get into all that. We’re true book people.”

Though popular fiction titles tend to be in the majority, people are encouraged to bring whatever they happen to be reading, and members enjoy hearing about other peoples’ selections. 

An avid reader, Julia Rowland has read 21 books this year so far. “I like to read a wide variety of books, so I find it interesting to see and hear what other people are reading,” she said.

Kate Nosbusch enjoys not only comparing notes with people who may have read the same book but also being exposed to genres or books “I may not normally read on my own.” 

Nosbusch also appreciates the “Little Free Library,” with books for all ages that Mittelstaedt has maintained in Elevate since it opened. Mittelstaedt encourages people to browse it if they are  looking for something to read at a meeting.

With busy schedules and lives, members also appreciate having time dedicated to reading. Nosbusch and Rowland are each members of two other book clubs, and often read one of the selections from those other clubs at the silent book club. “It’s a time I know I’m going to commit to actually reading and not being distracted by other things,” said Nosbusch.

Michelle Baird has patronized Elevate since its opening and regularly participates in store events. “I was intrigued when I first heard about the silent book club,” Baird said. “It has inspired me to get back into reading, which I appreciate.” Though she belonged to a traditional book club years ago, “I got busy with life and my business, so I like having time dedicated just to reading now.” 

Baird reads a lot of business books and also enjoys biographies and fiction. The combination of social interaction and getting reading done also appeals to her.

“Taylor creates a fun and comfortable space for you to show up with your book and sit down and read and also sit and chat for awhile,” Baird said. “And it got me to finish this business book I’d been trying to finish for two months!”

The social and reading combination also appeals to Rowland, who attends most of the meetings. “I’m an introvert and also love reading, and sometimes I want to be around other people without the pressure to make conversation,” she said. 

Though Rowland has checked out the Minneapolis club, “the thing I like about Taylor’s is it’s smaller; it feels more intimate and easier to talk to people, and I don’t have to worry if there’s going to be a spot for me or not.”

While some silent book clubs meet at a variety of locations, Nosbusch  appreciates the convenience and consistency of meeting in the store.

When the weather has cooperated, the group has ventured to local parks. “It’s also been fun to go to outdoor places this summer and explore more places in Eden Prairie,” Nosbusch said.

Making new friends is also a benefit.  “I have a couple members who have brought other people, so people are connected and keep getting to know each other, which is really cool,” said Mittelstaedt. “We keep up with each other, which is really nice.”

The conversations can also lead to other networking opportunities as readers discover common interests. For example, when Baird heard about Elevate’s semi-annual clothing swap, she was happy to help by taking any extra clothing to the homeless shelter where she volunteers.

Baird also enlisted another friend to take any children’s clothing to a crisis nursery in Minneapolis. “Taylor knows it’s coming right from my car and being distributed to people who need it. It’s been a wonderful thing to happen, and I love that she hosts it twice a year, said Baird. “It’s a win-win.”

The more people we have, the more fun it is, because we get more book ideas, have more fun conversations with fellow readers. Come alone or bring a friend! It’s all about making friends! That’s my whole purpose here on earth: making friends.” 

Taylor Mittelstaedt

“I love getting an excuse to hang out with friends and get some reading done,” said Rowland. “I love reading and sometimes have to choose between reading and seeing friends, especially working full time, so now it’s like the best of both worlds.”

Mittelstaedt agrees it’s nice for friends to have activities to do together. “It can be hard to meet new friends and even maintain the friendships you have,” she said. “You have to work at it really hard, so it helps having events at a place like this where you can just come, no money required, do a craft, read a book, hang out, chat. … I love it.” 

People of all ages and reading interests are welcome at the silent book club. The best way to find out about the meetings is to follow Elevate Eden Prairie on Instagram or Facebook, or check in at the store.

“The more people we have, the more fun it is, because we get more book ideas, have more fun conversations with fellow readers. Come alone or bring a friend!” said Mittelstaedt. “It’s all about making friends! That’s my whole purpose here on earth: making friends.”