Community Spotlight: Panther Nutrition
Walking into Panther Nutrition in Cabot, Arkansas, feels a bit like stepping into a friend’s living room—warm, familiar, and inviting. But it’s not just a place to grab a shake or tea. To Mary Friddle, the spirited owner of Panther Nutrition, the business has become a vibrant community center where locals gather, friendships grow, and partnerships flourish. From the very beginning, Friddle wanted Panther Nutrition to be more than a health-focused shake and tea bar. “A lot of people will come in. I’m like, ‘I don’t expect you to buy anything. Sit down and hang out with us,’” she says. For her, the mission goes beyond wellness drinks; it’s about giving Cabot a space for connection and mutual support.
Friddle, who first walked into the store as a customer, soon found herself drawn into the business by a shared sense of belonging. She went from washing blenders to eventually becoming an owner, inspired by the community-driven values of the store. “Being a stay-at-home mom, you’re lonely. You long for that—‘Where do I fit in at anymore? I’m so-and-so’s wife, I’m so-and-so’s mom. Who am I?’” she explains, sharing how Panther Nutrition became a place for her to build relationships and discover her own identity. For Friddle, owning the business has meant creating a welcoming environment for others to feel they belong.
At its heart, Panther Nutrition is all about building community. In addition to offering health-conscious shakes and teas, Friddle has introduced initiatives that bring Cabot residents together in meaningful ways. The business proudly sponsors the Cabot High School fishing team, a volunteer role Friddle has held for several years. She explains, “As the community comes in here and they buy our stuff, we give back.” Panther Nutrition also hosts a variety of local gatherings, from book clubs to small business pop-ups, ensuring that people have a place to meet, share, and support each other. This approach not only strengthens local ties but also emphasizes the importance of small businesses as community backbones.
Beyond just being a place to stop for a drink, Panther Nutrition serves as a launchpad for local collaboration. Friddle regularly partners with nearby businesses, often recommending them to her customers. She’s quick to promote local eateries, such as Chef Candace’s and Pea Farm Bistro, for customers looking for balanced meal options to complement the shakes and teas at Panther. “I love working with all the restaurants because when we do have a challenge going on—a weight loss challenge for 24 days, people have to eat,” she says with a laugh, underscoring the interconnectedness of Cabot’s local economy.
The store’s new hat bar is the latest addition to Panther Nutrition’s offerings. Born out of Friddle’s own love for hats, the hat bar lets customers create customized fedoras and other headwear, which she sees as a unique attraction during the slower winter months. “If it’s successful, maybe I’ll expand somewhere else,” she muses, seeing it as both a fun add-on and a way to sustain business during Cabot’s cold season. By diversifying her offerings, Friddle stays resilient through the ebb and flow of customer demand while maintaining Panther Nutrition’s unique appeal.
Another core aspect of Panther Nutrition’s mission is community service. Friddle doesn’t just give back through her business; she is active in the Chamber of Commerce and passionate about local initiatives. Every winter, Panther Nutrition collects toys for Cabot’s special needs children, organizes Christmas tree drives for families in need, and supports the annual Wreaths for the Fallen at the National Cemetery. Friddle’s involvement in these initiatives reflects her deeply rooted desire to make a lasting impact. “I want to be remembered for what kind of impact I made—not how much money I made or what I have. Did I make you feel good that day? That’s what matters to me,” she says, adding that she hopes to serve as a role model for the younger generation of business owners.
To Friddle, small businesses like Panther Nutrition are an essential thread in the fabric of Cabot. She encourages her customers to shop locally and support each other, knowing firsthand how challenging it can be to run a small business. “You can’t just open a business and it just be you and then wonder, ‘Why aren’t people coming in my door?’ Well, have you been to a city council meeting? Have you been to a chamber meeting? Are you part of the chamber, and do you support your local people? That’s going to make you or break you in your business, in any community,” she says. Friddle’s approach to running Panther Nutrition highlights the role of small businesses in fostering not just commerce but community spirit.
In a time when supporting local businesses has never been more critical, Panther Nutrition stands out as an example of how a small business can impact lives. By fostering an inclusive, community-focused space, Friddle has transformed Panther Nutrition into a place that feels like home to many. It’s a place where customers are greeted with a smile and where local businesses uplift each other—a testament to the power of community in Cabot.
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