A 'smooth-ie' move for business

HURON — From attending school to playing hockey, Jaron Smith and Stephen Stropko achieved many milestones in life together. And, this past month, they collectively crossed off another landmark life decision from their bucket lists. About a month ago, the 2010 Amherst High School graduates co-founded FlavorFuel, 511 Cleveland Road W. in the Port Huron Plaza near Cameo Pizza. The business offers a wide variety of freshly made smoothies and meal-replacement shakes with a healthy-based food menu coming soon. "We've been best friends since high school and always discussed opening a business together," Smith said. "We work out at (the Huron Health Club) next door, saw that this spot was vacant and discussed it. We took a look at the space and decided to go with it." Smith resides in Huron with his family. His mom, Jean, has lived in the city for 20 years. He believed the community would wholeheartedly embrace this relatively new concept for Huron. "We wanted to add a healthy food option here," Smith said. "Being in shape and eating healthy, feeding your body with the right nutrients and vitamins, will help you fight off sickness and disease more effectively and more efficiently." Each smoothie sold comes packed with several all-natural ingredients. The shop's most popular options thus far include chocolate peanut butter, tropical sunrise along with peaches and cream. "We use real fruit ingredients. There are no fillers or artificial flavors," Stropko said. "That's about being mindful of people who want to be and get healthy." Smith and Stropko encourage people to come check out FlavorFuel. Right now, its winter hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.