Founded in 2016 in Jamaica, Queens, The Nourish Spot began as the vision of Dawn Kelly, a former corporate communications executive who pivoted into entrepreneurship after decades in the media and nonprofit world. Inspired by her own wellness journey and a desire to bring healthier food options to her neighborhood, Dawn created The Nourish Spot as a wellness bar serving smoothies, fresh-pressed juices, salads, wraps, and açaí bowls curated from fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts, and seeds.
From the beginning, The Nourish Spot has been a family business. Dawn’s children – especially her daughter, Jade Duncan – have worked side by side with her to build the brand. That mother–daughter partnership has become a defining part of the company’s identity, modeling intergenerational entrepreneurship and community leadership.
In 2022, Hudson by AVOLTA’s business developer, Bridget Biagas, first discovered The Nourish Spot on Instagram, sparking a relationship built on shared values of innovation, wellness, and community impact. Over the next two years, The Nourish Spot continued to demonstrate its reputation as a trusted, minority- and woman-owned business rooted in Queens, NY. That foundation led to its selection in 2024 as an equity partner with Hudson AVOLTA in JFK Terminals 5, 6, and 8. This partnership not only expanded The Nourish Spot’s brand presence onto a global stage but also represents a meaningful step toward diversifying airport dining with fresh, healthy, and culturally rooted food and beverage experiences.
In 2020 and 2021, they served as a Levy Restaurants vendor at Forest Hills Stadium, fueling thousands of music lovers during summer concerts. Dawn Kelly repeatedly asked Levy and others in the hospitality industry the same question: “How do we get to the US Open?”
That persistence paid off. In 2022, the Queens-based wellness bar was invited to join the US Open’s food concession program—becoming one of the first Black women-owned businesses from South East Jamaica Queens to operate at the tournament.
Since then, The Nourish Spot has returned year after year, proudly representing Queens with a fresh, healthy, and customizable menu of smoothies, salads, and açaí bowls.
What began with curiosity and determination at Forest Hills has grown into a historic presence at one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
As the business grew, The Nourish Spot established itself as a hub for health, culture, and entrepreneurship education in Queens. It has employed hundreds of young people through internships, workforce training, and partnerships with local schools, nonprofits, and city agencies.
Today, The Nourish Spot continues to operate from its flagship store in Jamaica, Queens. It has earned recognition from organizations such as the NYC Hospitality Alliance, American Heart Association, Queens Chamber of Commerce, and NYC Mayor’s Small Business Advisory Commission, while staying true to its roots as a community-driven, wellness-focused brand.
The Nourish Spot
107-05 Guy R Brewer Blvd.
Jamaica NY 11433
Tel: (718) 526-2099
www.thenourishspot.com
