Vermillion Community Celebrates the Nutrition Den’s Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

On Friday, March 21 Vermillion welcomed a new business into the community via a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring the Nutrition Den. While the Nutrition Den has been around since 2020, the ribbon cutting ceremony was to celebrate the new owners of the business. The business continues to focus on serving healthy shakes, energy teas and protein coffee to customers. 

When the past owner of The Nutrition Den’s lease ended, Katie Heimgartner and Noah Dickman took over the business. There was then a grand reopening on January 6, 2025. While reopening the business, both owners wanted to elevate the space inside the building and make the area feel more welcoming and cozy for its guests. 

Heimgartner is studying elementary education and special education at USD. She previously worked at The Nutrition Den while it was under different ownership. 

“I have my own business back home teaching swimming lessons, so I knew how to operate a business,” Heimgartner said. “I thought this would be a good way to branch out and see how operating a business in Vermillion worked.”

Dickman was excited to have the opportunity to become a co-owner and learn more about operating a business since his major is business marketing at USD. 

“I felt like it was going to be a great experience and a door opened for me,” Dickman said. “I got used to the business side a little when I would sit in here while Katie was working last year.” 

Since Dickman and Heimgartner have opened the Nutrition Den under new ownership, they mentioned that they have been busy trying to balance the business and their school work. After months of adjusting, they felt as if the ribbon cutting ceremony was a celebration of their hard work paying off. 

“It really made the whole idea official for us,” Heimgartner said. “We weren’t just making drinks for our friends, but the whole community. It was exciting to see such a diverse crowd in age at the ribbon cutting ceremony.”  

The two owners hope to continue business in Vermillion with the potential of opening more stores, even with graduating soon. They said that they have great employees that help when neither Dickman or Heimgartner are unable to be at the store. 

“Our employees are sophomores, so we have at least two more years with them,” Heimgartner said. “We would not be able to operate without our employees, especially when our classes overlap, so we are very thankful for them.”

Both owners stated that they love operating The Nutrition Den and are excited to see where the future takes them and their business.