Image via Fitrition (@fitritionjuicebar) Instagram.

The team behind Fitrition, the popular health-food store and juice bar, is choosing to find positivity where they can. Despite a significant drop in sales because of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Fitrition is grateful to keep employees healthy and safe, and to be able to serve its community the freshest and healthiest quality foods and beverages.

To maintain a healthy working environment for its team, all staff have at Fitrition been given face masks, and continue to wear gloves during work, as was practice before the current pandemic. Physical barriers have also been implemented at locations in order to comply with social distancing for employees and customers.

“We were able to maintain the majority of our employees. Many have been very thankful to be able to still earn a paycheck…those whom are still employed enjoy serving their community and find happiness in working with the Fitrition family”, said co-owner Michael Portannese.

Fitrition’s first location was opened in September 2016 in Bayside by Michael Portannese, Michael Beringer, and Daniela Portannese. Nearly 4 years later, Fitrition has opened two additional locations in Astoria and Oyster Bay, and expects to open its newest Astoria location (28-03 Astoria Blvd.) within the next few weeks. “We have seen a major increase in the use of social media . For a business like ours, it is such a great platform to spread the knowledge of our stores being able to still operate our normal hours to service the community through this pandemic” said Portannese.

Co-owner Michael Beringer added that the most efficient way to support local businesses, such as Fitrition, customers should continue to stay home and order out via app-based ordering platforms. This decreases risk for delivery staff, as they have little-to-no interaction with customers. He also recommends maintaining a well-balanced diet with an abundance of nutritious foods and vitamin-dense juices.

Currently, Fitrition is offering 50% of all orders for first responders. Customers can also receive 10% off of their purchase via Fitrition’s mobile app. Give Me Astoria would like to thank the team at Fitrition for their generous donation of fresh juices to the staff at Mount Sinai Queens!

If you would like to learn more about Fitrition, you may visit its official website and https://www.instagram.com/fitritionjuicebar/. Additionally, if you would like to learn more about Give Me Astoria’s efforts to support local restaurants and feed healthcare and essential workers, you may visit our official GoFundMe page.