Mitch and Crispin Provost have opened Fresh Monkee, a protein shake franchise, at 25118 Grogans Mill Road after Mitch spent eight years in retirement looking for something to do with his hands.

The health-focused shop at the corner of Grogans Mill and Sawdust roads serves more than 20 varieties of protein shakes from an open kitchen where customers watch every ingredient go into the blender.

"I was retired for 8 years. I had to learn how to retire," Mitch Provost told The Caledonian, the student newspaper at The Woodlands High School. "That's something many people don't think about when they retire: 'Wow, what do I do now?'"

Provost said he initially pursued a larger business venture with a partner, but the risk proved too high. He pivoted to a franchise model he could own and operate locally, and his daily fitness routine pointed him toward Fresh Monkee. He has worked out every morning since his early thirties and finishes each session with a protein shake.

The Connecticut-based chain, founded in 2014 by Judy Flynn, began franchising in 2022 and has grown to roughly 37 locations across 17 states, according to the company's LinkedIn page. The Woodlands store is one of at least four Fresh Monkee shops in the greater Houston area, with locations also operating in Katy, Missouri City and Montgomery.

What's inside

The Provosts designed much of the interior themselves after the franchisor gave them creative latitude. Green walls and live plants set the tone. Couch and armchair seating surrounds a coffee table with board games tucked underneath, and a private quiet room is sectioned off from the main space.

Every Fresh Monkee location uses an open-kitchen layout so customers can see the full preparation process. Protein is the foundation of every shake rather than an add-on, with base options including regular milk, unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, whey protein or plant-based protein in chocolate or vanilla.

The shop uses only whole fruits, flash-freezes all frozen fruit to preserve nutrients and stocks natural peanut butter made with just peanuts and salt. Shakes come in three sizes: Bite (16 oz.), Snack (24 oz.) and Meal (32 oz.). The menu also includes Monkee Ballz, peanut butter and chocolate protein balls sold in six- or 12-packs, and puppy shakes for dogs.

Finding the shop

The store sits at the Grogans Mill and Sawdust intersection but may take some effort to spot. In a July 7 Facebook post, the shop acknowledged that the most common feedback from new visitors was "I had no idea you were here."

Customer Awni Kawar commented: "Road visibility is almost non existent and that is a shame. This place is a charm. Here now and just got my order. So clean and quiet inside."

Fresh Monkee – The Woodlands is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Orders can also be placed through the Fresh Monkee app or at order.freshmonkee.com.