An interest in natural wellness has evolved into a 1,700-square-foot retail business for a Delburne couple.
Beth and Kelly Sawula plan to open the doors to Wholistix on Monday. The Red Deer store will carry a smorgasbord of natural health products, from vitamins and specialty teas to salt lamps and home spa equipment. Devices and supplies for aroma, magnetic, frequency, sound and other therapies will all be available.
Beth said she and her husband also expect wholistic therapy services to be offered from two offices at their premises. They are currently seeking practioners, with a herbalists and reiki master among the possibilities, she said.
Wholistix will be a one-stop shop where people can view a range of natural health products.
“The whole concept is promoting a wholistic approach to natural wealth.”
The Sawulas have operated a much smaller store under the same name in Delburne since the spring. And since 2005, they’ve conducted an online retail business at www.wholistix.ca.
That site has generated inquiries from as far away as India, said Beth, with products shipped to customers across Canada and the United States.
The decision to open a bricks and mortar location, she said, resulted from their desire to be more hands-on with customers. The couple ran a hardware store in Delburne from 1989 to 1995.
Beth said she and Kelly have long been proponents of natural health and alternatives to conventional medicine. In fact, after Kelly was diagnoses with multiple sclerosis in 2001 he discarded the drugs he was prescribed in favour of alternative treatments like vitamin therapy.
Wholistix has been a way for them to share their knowledge and passion with others.
“We wanted to put the items out there that we found to be really effective and helpful and just interesting.”
The Wholistix store in Delburne has been well-received, said Beth, drawing customers from as far away as Rocky Mountain House. That’s persuaded them to expand into Red Deer.
“The response told us it’s time.”
Beth thinks there’s a strong demand for natural health products in Central Alberta.
“The word is out that there’s more than one way to treat something.”
The Delburne store is closing, but their online business will continue, said Beth.
Wholistix is located at 2085 50th Ave. It’s open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com