Archive for the ‘Retailer Story’ Category

Retailer Story: Dan and Ann Berndt of The Supplement Station

Friday, August 6th, 2010

Attention: Be sure you read all the way to the end of The Supplement Station Retailer Story! The Supplement Station has customized limited time special offer for you at the bottom of this post. The limited time offer ends September 6th and you definitely don’t want to miss it!

“Get On Board For Good Health!”

The Supplement Station

Nancy Holmes

By Marsha Bonecutter

All aboard! Next stop, Health and Wellness! Dan and Ann Berndt, owners of The Supplement Station, at 1139 East Pidgeon Road in Salem, Ohio, have been passengers on the wellness train for many years.

Ann pursued her deep-seated passion for health and healing by entering into nurses training right out of high school. She worked as a delivery room nurse and then for a doctor in private practice. During that time she met and married her husband, Dan.

The Supplement Station

Kris Evert and Julie Singleton…Sprouted Biblical, yum!

Dan had many diverse interests that resulted in several businesses over the years, including, car washes, an auto parts store, farms and a feed store—to name a few. One such venture was largely responsible for Dan becoming a staunch advocate of supplements and natural remedies.

The couple had purchased a herd of beef cattle. All was well for awhile—then disaster struck. The cows began calving too early, and then dying. The calves also died. Local veterinarians were consulted and then state vets were called in, but no one could find a solution. It was almost miraculous when a salesman approached the Berndts with a supplement that he swore their cows would eat and would eliminate the problem. “I was amazed,” said Ann, “the cows practically fought over the feed supplement, and they got better!” “As it turned out,” she explained, “the cows rumen (stomach) bacteria were dead and they could not digest their food, so they were actually starving with full stomachs.”

It was a hard lesson to learn, but it led Dan and Ann to open a feed store handling, among other products, the supplement that cured their cows, which was a mineral with “live yeast culture” or the equivalent of probiotics. Eventually, the couple sold the very healthy herd of cattle and chalked the hard learned lesson up to experience.

The Supplement Station

Ann Berndt and Sandy Roberts in the “Vitamin Room”

Some years later, the Berndts became involved in a multi-level company selling vitamins to their friends. “We were taking grape seed extract for health issues and were being helped,” explained Ann, “we were also selling to our friends, but the prices kept going up, so we decided to go direct to a manufacturer to get better prices.” This turned out to be a very good decision for Ann. “We were shocked at how much less a good quality product was when not purchased through multi-level.” At that time, Dan was operating an auto parts and oil business in Salem. “We started buying a few vitamins and selling them in one corner of the store,” recalls Ann, “we wanted to see if there was enough need for such a business in town. Soon, people started coming in and wanting more and more products, so we opened as a health food store in 2000.”

The Supplement Station, so called because their first location was beside a railroad track, now has three rooms to serve the folks in and around Salem.

The “vitamin room” has an unprecedented assortment of vitamins, herbs, other supplements and homeopathic remedies including Baxyl, Silver Biotics, Poison Ivy Relief, Kidney Formula and Graviola. Whatever your health issues are, you are sure to find what you need here.

Make-up, shampoo, lotion, soap and even toothpaste and toothbrushes can be found in the “health and beauty” room. Of course, these products are all natural and homeopathic. Check out this room for all of your personal care needs. Not for women only, there are personal care items for men also.

The Supplement Station

A full line of groceries is stocked in the third room at The Supplement Station. Some of the items you will find are cereal, ice cream, raw vinegar, juices, rice chips, grass fed beef, tea and coffee, and, of course, Berlin Natural Bakery Breads! Healthy and nutritious eating is made easy for you with the selection found here.

When asked what she loves most about operating The Supplement Station, Ann was quick to answer, “Seeing people regain their health by taking supplements or learning to eat in a healthier way is very rewarding. Knowing that you have the opportunity to help people live a better quality of life by educating them about what they put in and on their bodies is a good feeling.”

The Supplement Station

Dan and Ann Berndt have a lifetime of education and experience to share with you. Along with their friendly, knowledgeable and well informed staff and their quality products, they will guide you toward the healthy lifestyle you seek. There is no doubt that The Supplement Station should be your “last stop” on the health and wellness train, where their motto is: “we care about your health”.

*******The Supplement Station Special Offers*******

20% Off All Berlin Natural Bakery Products (Including Noodles)

20% Off KingBio Poison Ivy Relief

20% Off Bragg Vinegar quarts

ON SALE

Supplement Station Brand Vitamin D-3 10,000 IU 60 day supply

Reg $12.99  Sale $9.99

Supplement Station Brand Vitamin D-3 50,000 IU 60 day supply

Reg $17.99  Sale $12.99

To take advantage of these specials please mention this article to the checker by saying “I saw the article on Berlin Natural Bakery’s website” to get the discount on your selected products!

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Retailer Story: Joe and Gloria Novak of Queen’s Nutritional Products, the “Healthy Place To Shop”

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

Attention: Be sure you read all the way to the end of the Queens Nutritional Products Retailer Story! Queens Nutritional Products has customized limited time special offer for you at the bottom of this post. The limited time offer ends August 23rd and you definitely don’t want to miss it!

Queens Nutritional Products

From mining engineer, to accountant, to health food store owner, Gloria Novak has stood by her husband, Joe, in all of his endeavors. When Joe changed careers and started his own accounting business, Gloria helped him out, but found that accounting in general was somewhat “boring”. Joe’s first account was Queen’s Nutritional Products, a successful health food store in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The owners, whose name was Queen, had started the business because of the wife’s poor health; they were looking for alternative ways to help her. Over the years, as Joe built a relationship with the owner, he became interested in the different health foods and supplements that Queens carried. “In 1979, when the Queens’ retired,” said Gloria, “we had a chance to buy the store and of course, the rest is history!”

Joe and Gloria Novak

Today, at ages 75 and 88 respectively, Gloria and Joe still work every day—a living testament to the healthy lifestyle they adopted years ago. They are joined by their son, Joe Jr. and his wife Lori Sue, to make their success truly a family affair.

Queens Nutritional Products Store Front

Located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue in Allentown, Queens was a thriving business when Gloria and Joe purchased it, but the couple was not content with the “status quo”. They proceeded to open not one, but four more stores! “Eventually, we sold them, but it was inspiring to create that…expansion”, remembers Gloria. Three of the stores, located in Emmaus, Lebanon, and Souderton Pennsylvania, are still open, each under new management. What an impressive tribute to Gloria and Joe Novak at the parent store.

Another tribute to Gloria and Joe which epitomizes the fundamentals of Queens, is the fact that just six out of their 15 employees have been with the company for a collective total of 115 years! Please check the photographs below to see: Kevin Achey, 35 years, Joe Novak, Jr., 31 years, Peg Sabella, 19 years, Barbara Fluck, 12 years, Diana Pearson, 10 years, and Lori Sue Novak, 8 years. These loyal employees are quite obviously considered “family” even though not all of them possess the surname Novak.

Queens Nutritional Products Staff Photo

BACK ROW:  Joe Novak, Jr., Peg Sabella, Barbara Fluck, Gary Martof, Lisa Rode
FRONT ROW:  Diana Pearson, Houda Salloum, Samera Dayoub, Linda Powell, Lori Sue Novak, Terri Chavar

A wholesale business specializing in nuts and dried fruits operated expertly by Joe Novak, Jr., is another family undertaking. Some of the varieties of nuts are roasted right on the premises—mouthwatering! —and the driver delivers to New Jersey, Lancaster PA, and other nearby destinations. The business is growing more and more popular. “Today it is largely organic,” explains Joe Jr., “it really compliments our retail business.” You can choose from a wonderful assortment of nuts and fruits, such as organic dried mulberries, organic multi-colored popcorn and roasted cashews. Gloria laughs, “The smell of roasting nuts can’t be beat!”

Be sure to stop in today to complete your grocery list with a great selection of organic produce, grass fed beef, free range chicken, and of course, Berlin Natural Bakery breads. The homeopathic remedies and vitamins section at Queen’s Nutritional Products is likely the largest selection in the area. Don’t forget your health and beauty items such as natural soaps, shampoos and make-up.

Queens Nutritional Products

Ross Boozer, Kevin Achey

In total, Queen’s Nutritional Products has been serving the community for nearly forty years, thirty-one of those years under the expertise, care and love of Gloria and Joe Novak. When asked what she loves most about running her own natural health store, Gloria replied, “I love the people we meet: people committed to living healthier lives. It’s very rewarding to be a part of helping people get their health back. They come in looking for alternatives to traditional protocol and come back to tell us how well the products work.”

At Queen’s Nutritional Products, they go out of their way to serve their customers with the best quality products at the best possible price. A local landmark, and an asset to the community, the store has represented health and wellness through nutrition and education for many years. Thank you, Gloria and Joe Novak, wishing you continued success at the “healthy place to shop”.

*******Queens Nutritional Products Special Offer*******

25% off on all Berlin Natural Bakery Breads Products

To take advantage of this special offer please mention this article to the checker by saying “I saw the article on Berlin Natural Bakery’s website” to get the discount!

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Retailer Story: Peg Lockman of Nature’s Pantry

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Attention: Be sure you read all the way to the end of the Nature’s Pantry Retailer Story! Natures Pantry has customized a special offer for you at the bottom of this post ending July 23 you won’t want to miss!

Slow Food…From Our Pantry To Yours

Natures Pantry

By: Marsha Bonecutter

If you are looking for a magic, expensive pill that will instantly cure all your ills, you will not find it at Nature’s Pantry in Rockton, Illinois. If you are looking for a path to good health, Peg Lockman, owner of Nature’s Pantry, an organic grocery, will offer you a way of life achieved by utilizing what is provided in nature, not synthetics masquerading as health foods, or chemicals promising a “quick fix”.

Peg grew up in Oak Park, Illinois, in an era of good food, prepared at home and eaten together as part of belonging to a family. “We’ve never lived in a time of so much heart disease, cancer, diabetes and such,” says Peg, “these were rare when people trusted nature rather than science and chemicals.” As a junior high English and Reading teacher for thirty years, Peg had to keep up on things. “I love learning about people and how they have lived. The thing that I’ve learned that most relates to this business is that (historically) when people put quality above quantity and took responsibility for their own health…they were actually healthy.” This love of the fundamentals of truly natural foods began in the mid-seventies when Peg decided to become a vegetarian. “I had to learn more about food,” explained Peg, “and I had to find sources for whole foods, preferably those grown without chemicals, by farmers who saw the bigger picture and had respect for the land and the environment.”

Natures Pantry

Conventional grocery stores did not carry whole foods at that time. The only place to get them was co-ops. The problem was that the co-ops were always teetering on the brink financially. “I wanted to find a way to offer the best foods available and make the enterprise self-sustaining,” said Peg. When the last co-op she was involved with decided to call it a day, Peg and the manager were willing to gamble that with some changes, it could work as a private business. The two were partners for three years.

In early December, 1997, Nature’s Pantry opened its doors in a much smaller building across the street from its present location at 112 West Main Street, in Rockton. The store flourished until six years ago, when growing pains made the move from the original building imperative. So when the present location, built in the 1930’s as a grocery store, became available, Peg snatched it up. In fact, loyal customers actually helped with the long overdue move.

Natures Pantry

When asked how the name Nature’s Pantry was chosen, Peg explains, “We always wanted the store to be about food—thus the Pantry part. We wanted our pantry to be stocked with only the best—that which is supplied naturally, without all of the chemicals or processed, refined, nutrient-deficient ingredients—thus the Nature’s. To be honest, if I were naming the store today, I’d probably call it the Organic Grocer. The word natural has come to encompass too much that isn’t natural at all.”

At Nature’s Pantry, a full service grocery, you’ll find a wonderful selection of meats, produce and other products raised on small , local family farms and businesses. “I like that our meats come from farms where the animals have only one bad day in their lives. In fact, I love that most of what we offer comes from the type of farm that people conjure up when they think of farms– rather than from “agribusinesses” where what is produced is often out of sync with the natural world. I think my favorite products are those that encourage people to share in the preparation and enjoyment of a meal. Slow food also helps promote family connections in the kitchen and at the table which build the emotional health that so many children are struggling to find.”

Natures Pantry

Peg Lockman feels she has been richly blessed. “I love our customers. I love the people who work here.” Running her own organic grocery store has been more than rewarding for her. “It’s wonderful to be able to offer people the best whole, organic foods, which naturally contain all of the nutrients designed for natural good health. It’s wonderful to watch people learn that creating good health as a way of life is superior to the cycle of illness and cure.”

She took what she learned and was fortunate enough to create something that worked successfully. “We’ve never tried to be anything other than a small, local organic grocery.” If that sounds like a small accomplishment—it most certainly is not! Congratulations, Peg Lockman and Nature’s Pantry, wishing you many more years of success.

*******Nature’s Pantry Special Offer*******

Build Your Own Sandwich!

25% off on all Berlin Natural Bakery Breads and Buns. You’ll receive 10% off on three sandwich ingredients of your choosing with the purchase of a loaf of Berlin Natural Bakery Bread or Buns

To take advantage of this special offer please mention this article to the checker to get the discount!

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Retailer Story: Juanita Ketcham of Back To Basics

Friday, June 11th, 2010

Attention: Be sure you read all the way to the end of the Back to Basics Retailer Story! Back to Basics has customized a special offer for you ending July 11th you won’t want to miss!

Get Healthy…At Back To Basics Organics

Back To Basics Organics

By: Marsha Bonecutter

When we are young, most of us take good health for granted. If we do become ill, we tend to look for the “quick fix”—medications, either prescribed or over the counter, to alleviate the problem. In her early twenties, Juanita Ketcham, owner of Back to Basics Organics in Knox, Indiana found herself in just that type of “no win” situation. “I was on several medications,” says Juanita, “and still having many problems that would not go away.” Thankfully, she stumbled upon a co-op who told her about an herbalist. “After only two weeks on her regimen, I felt much better,” said Juanita. As she (the herbalist) started to analyze my health habits, I found I had alot to learn. She took me through the steps slowly beginning with supplements and moving on to adding and eliminating things from my diet.”

While working closely with her herbalist and making many health changes, Juanita travelled regularly over two hours from her home to get the proper foods and supplements she needed. “During my second year of healing,” remembers Juanita, “the co-op I was shopping at closed. Not knowing exactly what prompted her to do so, Juanita attended the “going out of business” auction for the co-op. “Thinking I was just going to store items in my basement, I was inspired to bid on all kinds of things,” laughed Juanita, “including the Coke cooler.” The memory still brings chills as Juanita recalls a voice behind her encouraging her to bid on the cooler. “The voice was so loud I turned around twice, but no one was there. God was guiding me, but at that moment I was down to my last five or ten dollars, I had no idea how I would validate the purchase to my husband, or how I would get it home, so I did not get the cooler.” That evening, Juanita’s husband, Ron, surprised her with a bonus check he had recieved from work. “I could have purchased the cooler after all!”

Back To Basics

In the days following the auction, Juanita kept mulling over what had inspired her to bid on the cooler. Suddenly, it was clear that she should open a health food store. “I had no idea how to open a business,” said Juanita. “It was definitely divine intervention.” Every bit of knowledge she needed, such as how to get a business license, how to find an available store front, how to find vendors and distributors—just seemed to fall into her lap. “It was a miracle, but just thirty days later, on June 1st. 1987, I opened Back to Basics……without a cooler!”

Divine intervention had accomplished the impossible, the business had opened in just thirty days, but Juanita still had many hurdles ahead. “We opened in a little store on Main Street in downtown Knox. I was only able to fill half of the small space, so I filled the other half with consignment crafters.” The first week they did $38.00 in revenue, but Juanita knew that it was a spiritual calling she had to follow. In only one year Back to Basics moved to their present location in Knox Mall. “We have four times the square feet we started with,” laughs Juanita, “and are almost out of space.”

Back To Basics

You can find everything you need at Back to Basics. Locally raised organic produce from small family farms, grass fed meats also raised on small local farms, quality supplements such as Nature’s Sunshine and Flora, and “of course, our wonderful Berlin Natural Bakery breads fresh baked for us! Come in to shop and visit our Organic Café. We serve juices and smoothies, coffee and tea, soup and sandwiches. There is something for everyone!”

It’s true Back to Basics has products for everyone, but you can also count on solid philosophies, skill and teaching to help you restore health and wellness to your life. “We are here to teach you how to feed your body so your body can heal itself and we carry what you need to make that happen.” As the name implies, (borrowed from a treasured Reader’s Digest book), Back to Basics and Juanita and Ron Ketcham take us to another level of wellness and healing. “I love to see the hope return to people’s faces and the hugs and blessings they give me as their bodies respond to being fed the right foods and supplements chosen specifically for them.”

Many thanks, Juanita, and we look forward to many more years of success. Get healthy at Back to Basics Organics!

*******Back To Basics Special Offers*******

1) Buy ONE get one at 50% off on all Berlin Natural Bakery Products

2) 25% off Nature’s Sunshine Food Enzymes

Take advantage of this special offer today by saying to the cashier “I saw the retailer story on Back To Basics at Berlin Natural Bakery’s Website and would like to take advantage of my special discount on Berlin Natural Bakery’s/Enzyme product.”

Special Offer Expires July 11, 2010.

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Retailer Story: Rick Arledge of Health In Hand

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

Attention: Be sure you read all the way to the end of the Health In Hand’s Retailer Story! Health In Hand has customized a special offer for you ending June 26th you won’t want to miss!

Hold On To Health… At A Health in Hand

Health In Hand Logo

As a young man in his teens, Rick Arledge chose a demanding and very effective hobby to get in shape—weight lifting. But Rick didn’t stop there. By the time he reached his early twenties, he was competing in two hour long bike races. It is no wonder Rick has such a vast knowledge of health and nutrition. “I had to fuel my body with the right food,” says Rick. “Organic food and vitamins had to be part of my training and research had to be part of improving my workouts.”

Health In Hand

One might surmise that with such a physically taxing hobby such as bike racing, that Rick had a desk job. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Rick has been remodeling houses his whole life. “I’m currently working on a house built in 1950,” Rick explained, “but I was always into the health aspect of things and I was looking for an outlet to help educate the public on how to take better care of themselves without the use of drugs and chemicals.” A friend of a friend told Rick about a store for sale in Lancaster Ohio. “I have always loved the beautiful Hocking Hills area and had bought property there, so it seemed like a perfect time to strike out on a new venture.”

In August of 2000 Rick opened Health In Hand on Lincoln Avenue in Lancaster. The hard work and discipline Rick adhered to in the early days paid off when he opened the store. “All of my training and research made me a good source of information, and I am happy to share my knowledge with my customers.” Helping others has always been the major motivator for Rick. Over any other reason, helping others was the inspiration to open Health In Hand. Even the unique name Rick chose says it all. “If you think about the things you touch everyday, either you have ‘health in your hands’ or things that will harm you. Which will you choose today?”

Health In Hand

Business grew, and Rick always hoped for more space and a better location. “I called the building (on Lincoln) “the cave”, laughs Rick, “it had tiny windows high up across the front of the store and no other windows at all. It was hard to display the products and you had to have the lights on all the time.”

In November of 2004, Health In Hand moved to their present location at 639 North Pierce Avenue in Lancaster. The store is bigger, not to mention bright and cheerful with private parking– so no more fighting for a parking space. Stop by for a wonderful selection of the finest quality fresh, natural, organic and whole foods, nutritional products, and body care products. “I believe in every product that I sell. I love Berlin Bread, of course, and I recommend Berlin to alot of customers. I also use Berlin products for my family.” Rick also carries two favorite brands of supplements- Garden of Life and New Chapter. Rick advocates probiotics and essential fatty acids and tells all of his customers to “get wheat out of their diet.”

Health In Hand

Something must be working, and working very well, because though Rick stopped racing bikes approximately 15 years ago, he still rides a bike on a regular basis. “I still ride, and God willing, will continue to ride until I’m just not able to do it any longer.” “Natural has worked for me,” says Rick, “and in ten years of helping others I have seen that it really works for them, as well. I have been blessed to be able and willing to help so many people and at the same time have so many helping me support my family.”

In addition to all the great products you can find at Health In Hand, you can also always count on genuine concern and commitment to you as their customer. “We will always try to help, or steer you in the right direction to best help yourself,” promises Rick, “that has always been our commitment to the customer. Everyday we strive to better educate ourselves so we can have a better educated customer.”

Many thanks to Rick Arledge and his staff and we look forward to many more years of success at Health In Hand.

*******Health In Hand Special Offer*******

15% Off All Berlin Natural Bakery Products

Take advantage of this special offer today by saying to the cashier “I saw the retailer story on Health In Hand at Berlin Natural Bakery’s Website and would like to take advantage of the special discount of 15% on Berlin Natural Bakery’s products.”

Special Offer Expires June 26, 2010.

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Retailer Story: Raisin Rack Natural Food Market

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

Attention: Be sure you read all the way to the end of the Raisin Rack Natural Food Market’s Retailer Story! Raisin Rack Natural Food Market has customized a special offer ending June 7th you won’t want to miss!

AGGDRKHLMBSJ8GEW0GCN1DUTW0HU67U9.jpg

By Marsha Bonecutter

It was a wonderful day for all of us when teachers, Don and Paulette Caster decided to quit their teaching jobs to open a health food store. In 1978, the couple, only in their 20’s, opened their business in a small converted house on the corner of 39th Street and Cleveland Avenue in Canton, Ohio.

An unfortunate set of circumstances led Don Caster to begin his research into nutrition. Don’s mother, who was stricken with cancer and receiving treatments, needed an alternative diet. Pure, natural and healthy foods were difficult to come by. Protein shakes and other additions to the diet of someone who was ill were not readily available in the mid to late 70’s. Don’s research expanded and evolved. He saw a need for products and education and he and Paulette decided to launch the business. “Paulette…and I set off on the venture of providing nutritional products in a one room store. Our goals were not lofty but grounded on sound health principals.”

Don Caster.bmp

The decision was made; plans were being implemented—now for a name! As Don and Paulette pondered name possibilities, inspiration came to Paulette, in of all places, her own livingroom! There were several art decoupage wall hangings mounted on old wooden racks used to dry raisins. The creator of the pieces had its company logo, RaisinRak, affixed to the bottom corner of the mountings. The name seemed like a natural fit. Thus, Raisin Rack was born. “The name said something natural,” Don said, “about the history of food, the natural way that food came to be. The name says something about America and what it was. Raisins are a transformation, just like our store has evolved.” The Casters are happy they decided on a name with broad appeal. “We wanted something that would work if we ever had multiple stores,” Don said. “At the time, we never knew that the business would expand.” In Westerville and Canton, the name has been embraced by thousands of satisfied customers and continues to appeal to new shoppers every day.

Raisin Rack expanded to the Columbus area when Don and Paulette moved there. “In 1983, we moved to Columbus to establish another store. Today, our two stores are dramatically larger in size but remain just as focused on the basic principals that were in place in the beginning.” said Don, “ We believe in giving customers products that can make a positive impact on their health and appearance. We stock products that respect the environment and the values of our customers.”

7R0NWBJ53MEL8MCWQL92JPTLK9NL0081.jpg

For a time the store was located in downtown Columbus, the French Market and on Sawmill Road. These locations consolidated and in 2006, Raisin Rack moved from their previous location in Westerville just across the street to a wonderful 25,000 square foot facility. You can find them at 2545 Schrock Road in Westerville, only 15 minutes from downtown Columbus.

The Canton Raisin Rack has also been upgraded and expanded to meet the growing needs of their loyal customers. Visit this location at 4629 Cleveland Avenue North Canton, Ohio

Whether you choose to shop in Raisin Rack in Westerville or Raisin Rack in Canton, you will find an unparalleled selection of organic milk and dairy, organic fruits and vegetables, gluten-free foods, dried fruits and nutritional supplements—just to name a few favorites! Check out the salad bar in the Westerville location, it’s the best in town!

Raisin Rack Staff.bmp

For 32 years Raisin Rack has made it easy for anyone to improve their quality of life. With the stores vast product selection and fair prices, Raisin Rack can fulfill all your wellness needs. “With our knowledgeable and friendly staff, we believe that we have created a unique shopping experience that you will enjoy. Nothing is more important than your satisfaction!”
Thank you, Don and Paulette Caster for making your life’s work a blessing for us all!

To quote Don Caster in a recent Canton Repository article:
Steps to improve your diet
1. Go organic as possible. Start with milk and other dairy products.
2. Eat fruit, not fruit juice.
3. Get more fiber. Try for 20 to 25 grams a day.
4. Take a whole food-based multiple vitamin.
5. Drink black or green tea (not decaffeinated) to help your liver function properly.
6. Drink lots of water.

*******Raisin Rack Natural Food Market Special Offers*******

25% Off All Berlin Natural Bakery Breads and Pizza Crusts

Take advantage of this special offer today by saying to the cashier “I saw the retailer story on Raisin Rack Natural Food Market at Berlin Natural Bakery’s Website and would like to take advantage of the discount on my purchase of the [bread/pizza crusts]”

Special Offer Expires June 7, 2010.

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Retailer Story: Trish Gruber of Chestertown Natural Foods

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

Attention: Be sure you read all the way to the end of the Chestertown Natural Foods Retailer Story! Chestertown Natural Foods has customized a special offer for June 2010 that ends on the 6th!

Chestertown Natural Foods

By: Marsha Bonecutter

Trish Gruber, owner of Chestertown Natural Foods in Chestertown Maryland, discovered her life’s passion at an early age. A family friend worked at a local park as an Interpretive Naturalist and took 12 year old Trish along on a nature walk. Trish was hooked. She began “learning the ropes” and to identify plants, birds and wildlife. Soon she was conducting her own walks and continued to work at the park every summer until age 17.

Trish was born in the beautiful rolling hills of Pennsylvania, but chose West Virginia University at Morgantown for college, because they offered courses specifically for a career as an Interpretive Naturalist.

While in college, Trish met her husband, Jim. “Part of the marriage agreement was that I’d move to Chestertown (Jim’s hometown),” laughs Trish. “It was a very big adjustment leaving my beloved hills of Pennsylvania for the flat Maryland farmland, but while there were no hills, the beautiful Maryland sky made up for it.”

Checkout

Another difficult aspect of her adjustment was due to allergies. Food sensitivities made it impossible for Trish to shop at regular grocery stores. To add to the dilemma, the closest health food store was almost an hour away, making it very inconvenient for weekly shopping. As the saying goes, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”. Trish did exactly that—she “got going” organizing a natural foods buying club in 1989. “I figured, if I was having this problem, there must be others”, said Trish, “so I put an ad in the local paper to find members.” Trish found a distributor who would deliver to their small rural area and the membership grew.

The group met and placed their orders once a month and a team would meet the truck and fill the orders. As time passed, more and more of the work was being done by fewer and fewer people, until Trish was running the buying club by herself. “I gave the members a choice to either promise me reliable help, or let me take it over as a business.” They were more than happy to let Trish do that, and Chestertown Natural Foods opened its doors on June 19th, 1993.

For three years the store flourished in their small first location, until “growing pains” compelled the move to their second store at 214 Cannon Street where they remained for 10 years. In January 2007, Trish “packed up” and moved just up the street to 303 Cannon Street, where you can find them today. “We made the entire move in 4 ½ days over the New Year’s holiday.” says Trish. “We didn’t want to be closed for an extended time, so we wrapped our fully stocked shelves in plastic pallet wrap and just rolled them up the street!” The old building was a blank slate and Trish was able to choose the entire decor and of course, she chose all “earth friendly” materials. Chestertown Natural Foods now employees 10 people in their 2,300 square foot facility.

Chestertown Natural Foods

One can find a vast array of natural products on the shelves at Chestertown Natural Foods. From fresh organic produce, Greek yogurt, the entire line of New Chapter supplements, (Trish’s favorite), to Berlin Natural Bakery Sprouted Biblical Bread, (also a favorite), you can certainly find everything you need to live a healthy lifestyle. “We will do everything we can to help you find the tools you seek to create wellness and we will do it with honesty and integrity.” promises Trish.

The deep love of nature and our planet that Trish has nurtured since childhood has served her well over the years. Her background in environmental education and naturalist teaching has helped many people create wellness in their lives. “The health of ourselves and the health of the planet comes down to one simple thing—the food we choose to put in our mouths; how and where that food is grown and how it’s processed. I wanted to share that knowledge with others and then provide them with products that were a better choice for them and the planet.”

*******Chestertown Natural Foods Special Offers*******

Berlin Natural Bakery Product Specials at Chestertown Natural Foods
20% off on White Spelt Bread

20% off Sprouted Biblical Spelt Bread

20% off Amish Country White Spelt Noodles.

Take advantage of these offers today by saying to the cashier “I saw the retailer story on Chestertown Natural Foods at Berlin Natural Bakery’s Website and would like to take advantage of the discount on my [Bread/Noodles]”

Special Offer Expires June 6, 2010.

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Retailer Story: Katie Brown of Sweet Meadows

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Attention: Be sure you read all the way to the end of the Sweet Meadows Retailer Story! Sweet Meadows has customized a special offer for March 2010 you won’t want to miss!


sweet meadows

By: Marsha Bonecutter

“A huge leap of faith!” That is how Katie Brown, owner/manager of Sweet Meadows in Zanesville, Ohio describes the opening of her health food store. Katie and her husband, Shawn, co-own the store along with her parents, Martha and Tim Kimpel.

Their story began several years ago when Katie’s father converted his farm to an all grass based farm and the family began learning the health benefits of grass-fed beef. That led to learning about organic foods and how to live a healthier lifestyle. “When we first converted our farm years ago,” Katie said, “there was no one around raising grass-fed beef. Most people thought we were nuts to even attempt such a thing.” Almost ten years later, there are a number of farms converting to all grass.

They began selling their grass-fed beef at the farmer’s market in 2003. They added pastured pork, poultry and eggs and Katie’s uncle added pastured lamb. They developed a wonderful, loyal customer base and the business began to grow. “Once we changed our lifestyle and diet,” explained Katie, “we quickly realized there was nowhere close to buy the kinds of foods we wanted to eat. We decided at that time if we were going to sell our meats, we might as well sell other products.” In 2004, in a small downtown Zanesville location, Sweet Meadows was born!

sweet meadows

“I had absolutely no experience in the food business or even retail,” Katie said. “We just tried to figure things out as we went along, and made tons of mistakes.” Suffice it to say, these “mistakes” were ironed out with the love and support of her wonderful family and the mentoring of Annerose Schafferin of Bexley Natural Market, who offered names of distributors and contacts and even provided Sweet Meadows with their first cash register.

Katie and her family have always had a goal of being able to support other local farmers by buying their products, as long as they were raised according to the family standards. “When I wrote my first check to buy grass-fed beef from another farmer, I was so excited!” Katie says, proudly. Another source of pride is that in 2009 her father’s farm was the first in Muskingum County to be certified organic.

Katie Brown

Katie soon out-grew her first small location and in 2005, the store moved to its present location on Maple Avenue. The new location is larger which allows for more refrigeration and more products. Sweet Meadows carries a wonderful selection of natural and organic foods. Many products come to mind when Katie is asked about her favorites. “Well, of course, Berlin Breads,” laughs Katie. “The Pumpkin Streusel Spelt bread is my most favorite!” Other favorites include a non-homogenized milk and a Perry County honey. The store continues to grow their product selection based on customer request.

Much hard work is involved in the managing of a natural foods store, especially with two little children in tow. Thankfully, Katie Brown is no stranger to hard work. Katie’s first job was on her family farm, working for a dollar an hour. By the time she reached her early teens, Katie was milking cows and by high school she was managing the dairy.

How many college students get up in the morning, milk the cows, go to school all day, come home, milk cows again and then do homework? Senior year of college brought Katie a change of pace. “My dad was managing a clay mine at the time, so I went to work for him keeping records and running the front end loader.” Katie laughs, “Trucks used to come for clay and couldn’t believe I was the one climbing up into the loader to load them.”

sweet meadows

Much of the success of Sweet Meadows is due to the philosophy by which Katie runs her business: Great customer service. “I greet my customers with a smile and am willing to help or answer questions whenever I am asked. Katie takes requests for new products and places special orders for her customers on a daily basis.

Her relationship with her customers is truly rare. “Because I am here everyday, I know my customers and their families by name. They know my children and my children know them.” Katie’s customers even surprised her with a baby shower for her first daughter. “I love that the relationships go beyond just a customer/grocer,” says Katie. “I feel, as a society we are lacking in common courtesy and I want to give that to my customers.”

“In 2004, there was a real need in our area for organic foods.” Said Katie. Sweet Meadows meets this need and much more!

************Sweet Meadows Special Offers************

Berlin Natural Bakery Product Specials
Buy 1 of any Berlin Natural Bakery “FRESH” spelt baked goods and receive 50% off a second Berlin Natural Bakery item of equal or lesser value. Limit 3 per customer per visit.

Ground Beef Special
Buy any package of Sweet Meadows ground beef and get 50% off any second package of ground beef. Limit 3 packages per customer per visit.

Take advantage of these offers today by saying to the cashier “I saw the retailer story on Sweet Meadows on Berlin Natural Bakery’s Website and would like to take advantage of the [bread/beef] discount.”

Special Offer Expires March 31, 2010.

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Retailer Story: Zed Clark of Natures Food Market

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

Attention: Be sure you read all the way to the end of the Natures Market Retailer Story! Natures has customized a special offer for Jan 2010 you won’t want to miss!.

A Special Message By
Joy Schrock – President – Berlin Natural Bakery

Over the years and throughout my travels, I have been fortunate enough to meet so many wonderful people at natural health food stores across the country.

It never ceases to amaze me at the stories that are shared with me as to how retailers got their start in the Natural Health Food business. Stories that are not only heart warming, but that also reveal why the natural health food industry is not a fad. The success of natural and organic products did not happen overnight. These people are the real pioneers in our industry. They are in it for the right reasons. Many of them suffered serious illnesses to find the cure through natural treatments and remedies and have a desire to share their findings with others.

It is only appropriate that the first retailer that we feature is Nature’s Food Market in our own backyard of Berlin Ohio. Berlin Natural Bakery was founded due to a need for a healthy loaf of “wheat” bread from this ONE store. As crazy as that may sound, it is in fact true. Several years later, Mr. Schlabach the owner and founder of Nature’s Food Market, introduced Berlin Natural Bakery to spelt grain. It didn’t take long until we completely discontinued our entire wheat line, to focus all of our energies and resources on this truly superior grain called spelt.

Howard Graves the founder of Berlin Natural Bakery and Delbert Schlabach the founder of Nature’s Food Market will forever be in our hearts. What a difference these gentlemen have made in the lives of us all. We will forever be grateful to them both.

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A Business With Purpose – A Lifestyle With Passion

By: Mark Weaver

Natures Market

A business with a purpose – that’s what Zedrick Clark sees in Nature’s Food Market. But it’s more than a business, it’s a lifestyle rooted in an early discovery of Native American blood in his ancestry. That’s what started Zedrick down this path. But what compels him to stay in the natural food industry?

As a teenager, he studied the lore of a people who knew how to live off the land; he learned about herbs as an alternative to medicine. “When we live our lives according to nature’s design,” he explains, “it really is better for our bodies and our world.” Although his immediate family had a typical meat and potatoes diet, Zedrick chose a mostly vegetarian diet.

At 18 years old, Zedrick went to work in a vitamin warehouse, working his way up to managing a retail natural food store a few years later. At a time when the organic food movement was gaining momentum, he saw the natural lifestyle as something to practice for ethical and social reasons. In this environment he learned good eating habits that went beyond vegetables and vitamins. But his curiosity, his desire for knowledge, led him further.

He became an agent for one of the country’s largest vitamin manufacturers and there Zedrick learned about the science behind vitamins and supplements, and about manufacturing methods. In visiting hundreds of retail stores across the country, his path became clear. He wanted to own a natural food store.

One of Zedrick’s wholesale customers, Nature’s Food Market, was started in the 1970’s by a young Amish man working with his parents and siblings. Mr. Schlabach got his start selling vitamins in a renovated chicken house. Moving to downtown Berlin, Ohio, the store thrived in a community that valued natural ways, providing vitamins and a host of other natural products.

Zedrick Clark

Nature’s had become Zedrick’s favorite stop for his personal shopping. Now married with two young children, he was ready to put down roots. He did what came naturally to a man whose faith is an integrated part of his life; he asked for divine guidance. Within hours found himself in Nature’s Food Market, where the owner was offering to sell him the store.

“My jaw almost hit the floor,” said Zedrick. “I knew this was the one I wanted.” In a very short time, a deal was signed and in December 2003 Zedrick had his own natural food store.

With the chance to realize his vision at hand, Zedrick poured his heart into taking a business that was already good, and making it great. In two years time he made significant progress in the growth of his business, and that’s when opportunity struck in the form of a disaster.

An early morning fire destroyed the 100 year old building that housed his business in January, 2006. Orange flames and billowing black smoke coming out of your business would cause many people to despair. But this the ruins still smoking, Zedrick was scouring the village for alternative locations. Within three weeks the store opened in a small temporary space.

Natures Food Market Staff

In September of that year, Nature’s Food Market re-opened in a new building. “We doubled our size and doubled our expenses, but fortunately, we also doubled the number of people we could serve,” Zedrick said. He takes seriously the people he serves. “The community we support is made up of people who are changing the world.”

Zedrick’s passion is obvious when talking about his products. “Without a doubt, the locally made products are my favorites. This community produces some of the best quality natural products such as locally made cheese, chemical free spelt bread from Berlin Natural Bakery, puffed grain, and even a local herbal extract company.”

On top of carrying the best quality vitamins and supplements, Nature’s carries a full line of natural and organic foods and an impressive array of bulk foods. The fresh ground peanut butter and bulk honey are customer favorites.

Zedrick serves as a board member of the Independent Natural Food Retailers Association, he has visited, consulted or trained over 500 retail stores in his career.

It was his passion for living life according to nature’s design that got Zedrick Clark into his business. But it’s the stories from people whose lives are changed that keep him there. After all, he says, “Wellness is contagious.”

************Nature’s Food Market Special Offer************

Berlin Natural Bakery Product Specials
Buy 1 of any Berlin Natural Bakery “FRESH” spelt baked goods and receive 50% off a second Berlin Natural Bakery item of equal or lesser value. Limit 3 per customer per visit. Offer NOT valid on frozen breads

Vitamins and Supplement Specials
Buy 1 bottle of any vitamin/herbal supplement and receive a 2nd bottle of vitamins/herbal supplements at 50% off equal or lesser value. Limit ONE special vitamin/herbal supplement purchase per household per visit. Valid only on items in stock…no rain checks.

Take advantage of these offers today by saying to the cashier “I saw the retailer story on Natures at Berlin Natural Bakery’s Website I would like to take advantage of the [bread/supplement] discount”

Special Offers Expires January 30th, 2010

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A Final Quick Question For You…

Would you like to see your local natural health food store retailer featured on our site like Natures?

If so send us your nomination by e-mail to joy [at] berlinnaturalbakery [dot] com with the subject line “Retailer Story Nomination.” In the body of the message be sure to put the store and the exact location. Thank you in advance for your willingness to help!

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