Kitchen Shift celebrates a year of serving healthy meals, smoothies in Lexington
Founded on the idea that eating healthy requires small mindset shifts, smoothie bar and quick cafe Kitchen Shift is celebrating its first anniversary.
As a grab-and-go spot, Kitchen Shift provides a full gluten-free, organic menu, offering quick meals committed to healthy and organic options. The restaurant provides rotating options, varying from protein shakes, four different types of chicken salad, lemon pesto, veggie spring rolls and chia pudding, priced from $8 to $24.
Most of the ingredients come from Whole Foods and Costco, given Kitchen Shift’s organic commitment, according to Elizabeth Kronenberg, the owner.
Located at 3101 Clays Mill Road, Kitchen Shift has served a wide range of customers, from high school athletes to older crowds, all sharing one thing in common: a health journey.
“Lexington’s very educated, and they do their homework and they do their research,” Kronenberg said.
As a certified nutritionist and health coach, Kronenberg said she wanted to give locals an option to purchase food that is as healthy as they would make at home. All the recipes do not contain seed oils, creating an inclusive menu for people with allergies or autoimmune conditions, and serving only organic ingredients, she said.
“We really wanted to give Lexington an elevated way of eating out,” Kronenberg said.
Protein shakes are made with Thorne protein powder, and Kronenberg said she uses nutrient-rich superfoods to add color and taste to different shakes, like beetroot powder for strawberry shakes.
Kronenberg said she also uses nutrient-rich superfoods to add color and taste to different shakes, like beetroot powder for strawberry shakes, delivering nutritional benefits for consumers.
Using food as “preventive medicine,” Kitchen Shift is also known for including ginger and turmeric as anti-inflammatory agents as part of Kronenberg’s recipes.
The store includes a quick cafe concept, including popular items like matcha lattes and banana bread. The store also includes a supplements shelf, carrying more than five brands of supplements.
“I want to make sure that they have been tested for pesticides, heavy metals, anything that could be harmful to somebody,” Kronenberg said. “All of these brands have those sort of check marks.”
Cymbiotika is one of the most popular brands in the store, fueled by TikTok advertisements, increasing customers’ brand recognition at Kitchen Shift, Kronenberg said. Beyond healthy food, the number one selling product is the Holi Mane collagen, which is marine-based and used to help exercise recovery, as well as being good for hair and nails.
From idea to Kitchen Shift: How it all began
Kronenberg moved into the store in February of 2020, right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit and she was forced to shut it down.
Kronenberg used to teach clients how to cook healthy meals at home. After many said they loved her recipes but lacked time to cook, she decided to start selling them in her store.
“I really wanted to meet people where they are,” Kronenberg said.
At the beginning, she only had three college students, including her nephew and daughter as her employees.
“So, the last few years, it’s just been a lot of trying different things and seeing what, honestly, the community needs,” Kronenberg said.
This story was originally published July 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
