Grasyn Peterson is the senior editor-in-chief of The Rambler and a Fresh Monkee employee.

Grasyn worked at Sheetz for a year but then quit because the job was becoming too repetitive, and the work environment was no longer ideal. A Fresh Monkee opened in Erie while he was looking for a new job, and it offered everything he was looking for

“It was a smaller work environment, [and making shakes] was something I could see myself doing,” Grasyn said. “I think there were a lot more one-on-one [interactions] with the customers as well.” 

Fresh Monkee offers flexible hours, which has allowed Grasyn to balance his personal life, school life, and work life. His boss prioritizes flexibility. 

“[Sometimes,] my boss let[s] us do homework while we’re working,” Grasyn said. “If [it’s not busy], I’m able to knock out a couple of homework assignments.”

Grasyn works the closing shift, which consists of cleaning and ensuring that ingredients and other resources are stocked for the opening shift.  

“[When working the closing shift], I [want to make] sure that [the] opening shift is as easy and quick as possible,” Grasyn said.  

Grasyn enjoys being able to talk with the customers and the other employees while working. He also enjoys hearing how much the customers enjoy being at Fresh Monkee because they “actually care about what [he] does as a worker,” which makes him proud of what he does.

“[I got to learn] about [customers’] days and what they do with their lives,” Grasyn said. “Being able to talk [with customers and my coworkers] about anything is always great.” 

Working with employees and trainees has helped Grasyn practice patience and open-mindedness.

“[Employees] are working with other people, so [they] have to respect their opinions and their way of doing stuff, especially when training new people,” Grasyn said. “Being patient with [trainees and] listening to their input are the two biggest things.” 

Grasyn and the rest of the Fresh Monkee team strive to create a welcoming and friendly environment where employees and customers can make the most of their time there.  

“Everything is in a way to where you can be your best self,” Grasyn said.  

Fresh Monkee is known for its healthy protein shakes.

“Fresh, hand-crafted shakes with high-fiber, protein-rich, low sugar, and all natural ingredients,” the Fresh Monkee website states.

As a shake maker, Grasyn enjoys the variety of combinations and tasks that come with making the many shakes Fresh Monkee has to offer.  

“Sometimes I get to cut and use fruit, [and] sometimes I’m adding marshmallows [to shakes],” Grasyn said. 

Since he began working at Fresh Monkee as a shake maker, Grasyn has tried many of the shakes Fresh Monkee has to offer. Banana Split and Chunkee Monkee are two of his favorite shakes. He enjoys being able to tell customers about the shakes while ensuring that they can achieve their nutritional goals. 

“I can recommend all the shakes to everyone because I know they’re healthy,” Grasyn said. “It’s something [the customers] can have [without having] worry about what’s in [them].” 

Aside from their wide variety of shakes, Fresh Monkee also has seasonal shakes. Currently, Caramel Apple, which is made with apple juice, milk, and vanilla, and is topped with a sugar-free caramel drizzle, and Maple Creemee, which is made with milk, vanilla protein, cinnamon, bananas, and pure maple syrup, are available to try. 

“I really like Maple Creemee,” Grasyn said. “I think it definitely tastes like fall.”