Dr. Jena Hullman, DC, a holistic chiropractor who operates Big Beautiful Life on Union Street in Traverse City, is expanding her business next door into a new cafe. Hullman is in preparations to open Elixir, a farm-to-table coffee shop and eatery that will be located in the former home of Old Town Coffee. Hullman says she plans to exclusively offer options that "contribute to a person's health," which she describes as dishes containing zero white sugar, corn syrup, refined carbs, wheat, city water, commercial eggs/milk, aspartame or Splenda. Instead, Hullman will focus on gluten-free, Paleo and vegetarian options, as well as fresh juices and smoothies.

"I have been wanting to do this because as a holistic chiropractor who focuses on nutrition, every day I teach people about their food choices and how those contribute to their symptoms/lack of health," says Hullman. "People are waking up and looking for healthier food and drink options for themselves and their kids."

Hullman, who says Elixir's motto will be 'make food your medicine,' has hired local chef Andrew Hermann to oversee the cafe's kitchen. Hermann has studied at the Culinary Institute of America and worked in the Michelin-starred restaurants of the Charlie Palmer Group in New York and, more recently, Lulu's Bistro in Bellaire.

Elixir is expected to open in early December.