Store visits in Montreal and Ottawa
By Bruce W. Cole
While in Montreal and Ottawa recently, I had the opportunity to visit some stores with three very good industry friends: my colleague Ellen Wheeler of Alive Publishing Group, and Joanne McDonald and Deb Larocque of Preferred Nutrition and Natural Factors. In total, it was 10 stores over a couple of days. These visits will result in larger feature stories on a couple of the stores later in the year.
Ki Nature et Santé, Montreal
Along with owning and operating two stores in the Montreal area, the Wong family is best known for its involvement in industry activities. “As a family, we have served a total of 22 years on various industry boards,” explains daughter Paola. “Mainly 10 years on CHFA and 12 years on the HFN boards between my dad, Sebastian, and myself. And you can incorporate 28 years of serving our communities by providing specialized products and personalized service.”
Marches TAU, Montreal
Marches TAU has been one of Montreal’s most popular health food stores since 1978. Starting with one location on Saint Denis St., the company has grown to six locations in and around the city. Owned and managed by the third generation of the Brown family, Marches TAU continues to evolve, creating welcoming shopping experiences for its customer base.
Healthtree Vitamin and Supplement Warehouse, Montreal
There is lots of excitement going on at Healthtree in the west end of Montreal. Founded more than 20 years ago by John Brody, the store has and is undergoing some changes, which we will report on in detail in a future issue of CNHR. It was great to see John has brought his children Stephanie and Marc on board in management roles.
Bio Terre, Montreal
Featured on the cover of CNHR in 2013, Bio Terre continues to serve an integral role in a busy downtown Montreal neighbourhood. Isabelle and Anika—who joined the store in 2003 and became owners in 2008—recently celebrated the store’s 20th anniversary. The 3,900 sq. ft. store is deceptive: it doesn’t look that big, until you start wandering around and seeing all this full-service store has to offer. Its foundation continues to be the dedicated staff and the sage advice they offer their clientele.
Kardish Health Food Centre, Ottawa
A visit with Melinda and Robert Assaf at the Kardish Merivale location turned into a lively conversation on a number of topics. One item that stood out was an issue many retailers across the country are currently facing, something Melinda calls “commercial rent-flation.” Kardish has moved three of its stores in the past couple of years, and Melinda says that is a prime example of what many retailers are facing: trying to work with landlords who are not flexible in working with brick-and-mortar retailers as they continue to recover for the after-affects of COVID-19. (CNHR will pursue “rent-flation” in a more detailed article down the road, inviting comments and solutions from other store owners.)
Herb & Spice Food & Wellness Shop, Ottawa
Herb & Spice Food & Wellness Shop on Bank Street in Ottawa has a classic look and feel to it. This full-service store has been offering healthy solutions for over 40 years. Products are sourced from local and organic producers as much as possible.
One of the biggest news items to come out of the store in recent times is the relocation of its wellness shop from across the street at 380 Bank St. to a newly available space in a building at the very back of its existing store at 375 Bank St. Now, customers have a one-stop shop for all of their natural health food and supplement needs.
Pantry Plus, Ottawa
For Pantry Plus owner Natalie Chénier, outstanding customer service is the foundation of her business. And she is quick to credit her team of professionals for their excellence. “It truly is my staff that make up the heartbeat of our store. Each one of them has a passion and desire to help our customers and each other!
“At the end of the day, it's all about building connections and trust with our customers as we help guide them on their journey to a healthy and happy life. We are sincerely thankful for each one of our staff, as they each bring a certain knowledge and compassion to the team. As a family-run business, we strive to hire staff that aligns with our beliefs on how others should be treated, and that is with kindness and humanity. And I am thankful to each one of them!”
Natural Food Pantry, Ottawa
Natural Food Pantry has been operating in Ottawa for over 40 years. Roger Payant founded the store in 1981. In 1991, he was joined by his nephew Rick Payant, who is the current owner. Rick stayed busy during COVID-19, moving his Billings Bridge Mall location in 2020 from the second floor to a 4,400 sq. ft. street-level space with a direct entrance from the mall parking lot.
In 2022, he opened a new 10,500 sq. ft. in Orleans, in Ottawa’s east end, bringing the total store count to six.
Pura Vida Nutrition Store, Renfrew
Roughly one hour east of Ottawa in the beautiful Ottawa Valley, you’ll find Pura Vida Nutrition store in Renfrew, Ontario. Owner Kathy Lofthouse bought the then-one-year-old store in 2001. Six years later, she bought the building where the store is located: a grand 150-year-old house that offers roughly 1,600 sq. ft. of selling space. There’s a consult room upstairs rented to local practitioners.