Empower Cafes: How Nick Face Is Honoring His Mother's Legacy and Building Community North of Boston
Behind Empower on Haven in Reading and Empower Woburn is a story of family, loss, resiliency, healthy living, and one local business owner’s commitment to making a difference.
When I recently sat down with Nick Face at Empower on Haven in downtown Reading, Massachusetts, we enjoyed a fresh cup of coffee and talked about his businesses, his passion for health, and his deep connection to our local communities.
If you’ve spent any time attending community events in Reading or Woburn, there’s a good chance you’ve crossed paths with Nick. He’s one of those business owners who seems to be everywhere, supporting local organizations, celebrating other businesses, and finding opportunities to give back.
But what I especially wanted to share was the personal story behind Empower. It’s a story about a son finding a meaningful way to honor his mother and carry forward the values she instilled in him.
A Mother’s Love Is at the Heart of Empower
Nick lost his mother, Bonny Face, in 2020. Her passing was devastating, and he found himself searching for a way to move forward while keeping her memory and influence close.
“My mother always did something for others,” Nick shared during our conversation.
Bonny loved cooking and baking, but even more importantly, she loved taking care of people. She believed in helping neighbors, supporting the community, and giving without expecting recognition.
Nick wanted to create something that reflected those values.
Interestingly, he explained that his mother was a very private person who didn’t enjoy being in the spotlight. Whatever he created in her honor needed to respect that part of her personality, too.
The result was Empower, a business built around healthier food and drink choices, personal connections, and community involvement.
Even the name has special meaning. To Nick, empower is about helping people become stronger, more confident, and more aware of their potential.
It’s also about helping others succeed.
From a Parking Lot to Two Local Cafes
Before opening Empower, Nick had already made significant changes in his own lifestyle. In 2019, he lost weight, became more focused on nutrition, and developed a strong interest in finding ways to reduce sugar and carbohydrates while maintaining an active lifestyle.
He began experimenting with ideas for protein shakes, flavored teas, coffee, and snacks that would fit those goals.
His mother had enjoyed green tea and black coffee, so those beverages became part of the inspiration.
What surprised me was learning how modestly the business began.
Nick started by making and delivering drinks from an office parking lot. As demand grew, he realized his idea could become something more.
On November 2, 2020, he opened the doors to Empower Woburn, located at 400 West Cummings Park.
The following year, he expanded into downtown Reading with Empower on Haven at 190 Haven Street.
Neither location happened without uncertainty. Nick readily admitted that he had no professional cafe, cooking, or baking experience when he started. He learned as he went, supported by people who believed in what he was trying to build.
“You can’t achieve success and greatness without great people behind you,” he told me.
Today, Empower has become a familiar part of both communities, with two distinct locations and a growing range of products and services.
More Than Coffee, Teas, and Protein Shakes
Both Empower locations offer an extensive selection of specialty teas, protein shakes, coffee drinks, and food.
The menu includes flavored energy teas, customizable protein shakes, baked goods, protein snacks, sandwiches, salads, and açaí bowls. Customers can explore different flavors and options based on their preferences.
The two cafes also have their own personalities.
Empower on Haven in Reading offers a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere with seating that’s especially nice for meeting a friend or having a casual business conversation.
Empower Woburn has a fun retro feel, complete with arcade games and classic music. It’s a convenient stop for people working in and around Cummings Park or looking for something to take on the go.
But some of the most meaningful items on Empower’s menu aren’t simply about flavor. They tell the story of Nick’s family.
The Special Stories Behind Empower’s Signature Drinks
One of my favorite parts of our conversation was hearing Nick explain the personal connections behind several of Empower’s signature beverages.
Sunset Paradise — A Tribute to His Mother
Sunset Paradise, an orange, mango, and raspberry specialty tea, was the very first drink Nick created.
It’s dedicated to Bonny and remains his personal favorite.
For Nick, it’s more than a customer favorite. It’s a way to remember his mother every single day and share a little of her story with the people who visit his cafes.
Mustang Sally — Remembering His Aunt
Mustang Sally honors Nick’s aunt Sally, who passed away in 2021.
Sally was deeply connected to the Reading community and once worked cutting hair in the very building where Empower on Haven operates today.
That family connection made the Reading location especially meaningful to Nick.
He shared that some of Sally’s longtime friends and family members still visit the cafe, appreciating that she continues to be remembered there.
Sweet Caroline — Honoring Uncle Howie
Nick also spoke warmly about his uncle Howie, who was an important part of both his family and his business.
Nick’s uncle and grandfather were involved in a family food distribution business, supplying Italian cookies and other products to local bakeries and restaurants.
When Empower on Haven first opened, Uncle Howie regularly stopped by as he began his day. He also helped Nick with errands and business needs.
The Sweet Caroline tea honors his uncle and keeps that relationship close.
Colton Cooler — Celebrating a New Generation
Not every tribute comes from loss.
One of the newer menu additions, the Colton Cooler, celebrates Nick’s young nephew. The watermelon, coconut, and blue raspberry combination was created by Colton’s parents.
I love that these family connections continue to grow through the business.
They make Empower’s menu feel a little more personal, because behind several drinks is someone Nick loves.
Sports Zone 101: Helping Kids Learn Through Sports
You might also know Nick through his other business, Sports Zone 101, which began in 2009.
Nick has loved sports since childhood, especially baseball. During our interview, he spoke about the coaches and mentors who influenced him while growing up in Reading.
One particularly meaningful moment came during his senior year of high school, when a coach recognized his ability to connect with younger athletes and encouraged him to take on a coaching role.
That experience stayed with him.
Sports Zone 101 grew from his desire to give children those same opportunities to build confidence, develop skills, and discover what they’re capable of achieving.
The organization offers youth sports, recreation, after-school and vacation programs, and birthday parties throughout local communities.
What I especially enjoyed learning about was how Nick incorporates education into the activities.
For example, children can earn packs of sports trading cards through positive behavior, listening, and participation. Then the cards become educational tools.
Kids examine player statistics, compare batting averages, learn about geography, and develop critical thinking skills, often without realizing they’re practicing subjects they also study in school.
To Nick, good coaching is about much more than teaching someone to throw a baseball or catch a football.
It’s about being a positive influence.
And when I listened to him talk about those early mentors, it was easy to see how their influence continues through the work he does today.
Taking Empower Into the Community
Another exciting addition to Empower is its mobile van, which allows Nick and his team to bring their drinks, food, and services directly to community gatherings.
Whether it’s supporting a school PTO, participating in a 5K, attending a fundraiser, or partnering with another local organization, the van creates more opportunities for Empower to be involved.
Empower also offers catering and private event services, expanding the ways people can enjoy the cafe beyond a traditional visit.
But for Nick, these aren’t simply opportunities to grow his business.
They’re ways to reach more people and support organizations doing meaningful work.
During our conversation, I mentioned how often I see him celebrating other local businesses. He’s continually sharing their accomplishments, recognizing individuals, and helping introduce people to the good things happening in our communities.
He explained that he’s always enjoyed helping people and being involved, going all the way back to his days in student council and peer leadership.
And that same approach is evident in all three of his businesses.
As Nick put it, “The more we help each other the better this world of ours will be.”
Why Empower Is a North of Boston Lifestyle Favorite
One of the reasons I started North of Boston Lifestyle was to introduce residents to the remarkable people, businesses, and organizations that make this area such a special place to live.
Nick Face is a wonderful example.
Yes, Empower is a place to grab a specialty tea, a protein shake, a coffee, or something to eat.
But behind the counter is a business owner who has taken one of life’s most difficult experiences and turned it into something meaningful, not only for himself but also for the people around him.
His mother’s love of family, cooking, and helping others continues through his cafes. His own love of sports and mentoring continues through Sports Zone 101. And his enthusiasm for bringing people together shows up in the many community organizations and events he supports.
There’s something pretty special about that.
The next time you’re in downtown Reading or Woburn, stop by Empower, try something from the menu, and say hello.
And if you order a Sunset Paradise, you’ll know the story behind the drink.
Sometimes the most meaningful local businesses are the ones that help us feel a little more connected to the people around us.
Visit Empower Cafes North of Boston
Empower on Haven — Reading, MA
190 Haven Street, Reading, MA 01867
Phone: 781-872-1304
A welcoming downtown cafe offering specialty teas, coffee, protein shakes, food, and comfortable seating for gathering with friends.
Empower Woburn — Woburn, MA
400 West Cummings Park, Suite 1975, Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: 781-365-9932
A fun, retro-inspired cafe offering drinks and food, conveniently located in Cummings Park.
Website: empowercafes.com
Catering, private parties, and online ordering: Visit Empower’s website to explore available services.
Sports Zone 101
Youth recreation programs, enrichment activities, sports instruction, and birthday parties throughout local communities.
Website: sz101ne.com
North of Boston Lifestyle highlights locally owned businesses, community organizations, and the people who make our communities great places to live, work, and explore.
