Maya McFadden Photo
Jade Greene at her Off The Tracks shop.
Fall has arrived early on State Street with Caramel Apple Pie, Skinny Pumpkin Teddy Graham, and Maple Glazed Donut shakes — all of which can now be filed under the category “health food.”
Those shakes are a few options that make up the fall menu for the newly opened health focused smoothie and tea bar, Off The Tracks.
The pandemic-formed business is housed downtown at 522 State St.
The owners are Jade Greene, 30, who was born and raised in New Haven; and her husband, Malcolm Greene, who inspired her with the idea of running a health lounge that serves protein shakes coupled with energy teas.
As the first day of autumn approaches next week, the shop kicked off its fall menu early consisting of all things pumpkin, apple cider, and cinnamon spice.
Fall menu.
Before owning the shop, Greene was a preschool teacher at Calvin Hill Daycare for 10 years.
She described her husband as a “dreamer” and herself as a “safety net type of person.”
After having their son in 2020, Greene realized she did not want to return to a regular 9 – 5 job. She became invested in the idea of having a business.
“This is not something I would of never did alone,” she said.
Originally the couple considered opening a brunch restaurant. Instead they combined their mutual love for fitness and health and decided to give back to their hometown with the smoothie and tea bar.
Jade described her decision to leave her job of 10 years as a leap of faith.
“I knew I didn’t want to go back to 9 to 5,” she said. “I needed time and freedom.” That time and freedom prompted the couple to begin their entrepreneur journey.
Greene with One Love energy tea.
As a former teacher, Greene has taken up supporting educators across the city for a Tuesday promotional special: She delivers free energy boosting teas to teachers throughout New Haven Public Schools (NHPS.)
So far Jade, also known as the “tea fairy,” has donated more than 500 complimentary teas to educators throughout New Haven.
Jade said the goal is to have Off The Tracks offer a “New Haven vibe.” She described that vibe as cozy, funky, and city-like.
The space allows customers to dine in at booths and tables. Inside the shop is decorated with greenery that contrasts with a red brick wall, and twinkly yellow lights throughout.
Jade offers a monthly tea special and adds seasonal shakes and teas to the menu.
When winter arrives, the planned winter menu will include peppermint and gingerbread flavors and hot chocolate.
Jade and Malcolm met through their interest in health and fitness while on Wilbur Cross High School’s track team. Jade graduated from Cross in 2010, her husband in 2008.
“Helping people work towards a healthy lifestyle is our way of giving back to community,” Jade said.
They opened their shop amid the early phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, in January 2021.
“The New Haven community made opening feel a lot more safe and better because of all the support,” Jade said.
Watch Greene make customer favorite "One Love" tea above.
The shop was where Hunter Greene, their now 2‑year-old son, took his first steps. It will act as an inspiration to him as he grows up to see that “if you put in the work, it can happen for you” and “you don’t have to fit society’s norms,” Jade said.
As the school year continues, Jade hopes to deliver teas to every New Haven public school, she said.
The shop offers rental space and catering. It has hosted book signings, art shows, student fundraisers, and zumba and yoga classes.
Off The Tracks kids' menu.
Popular menu items include the Snickers shake, white chocolate Reese’s shake, and Banana nut bread shake. While tasty, the shakes remain health focused ‚Jade said.
“I want to bring health to community that I love and show them they can have and deserve healthier lives,” she said.
The shop’s shakes include 24 grams of protein and 21 grams of various vitamins. Each are under 250 calories. The shakes are meant to be healthful meal replacements full of protein. The green teas include aloe and are meant to help to digest the protein.
The shop is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays.
This article would be stronger if the author noted anywhere that Off The Tracks is an Herbalife nutrition club masquerading as a typical retail store. Herbalife's goal is to use these 'nutrition clubs' to recruit customers into becoming distributors for their predatory multi-level marketing scheme.
www.factsaboutherbalife.com