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BY SHARON PORTA
Times Correspondent | Friday, September 17, 2004 | (No comments posted.)
VALPARAISO -- As a broker in the natural food industry, Diane Haines called on health food stores every day. That's the reason she decided to open her own place, Au Naturel Market, an independent health food and beauty products store.
"I'd go in a store and think, gosh, I could do better than this," Haines said.
"I had been thinking about it for the past six months; wrote my business plan three months ago. I just feel the area is ready for a natural food market."
Since she called on such stores, Haines claims that at 3,000 square feet, hers is the largest in Porter County, with the nearest stores matching her size located in Hammond and Mishawka.
Her store focuses on organic and natural products as well as specialty niches for individuals seeking a healthful lifestyle or living with certain health disorders. Included in the inventory are vitamins, herbs and supplements; gluten-free and wheat-free products; carb-control and low-sodium products; and books on consumer health education.
"We also have a staff to help advise the customers," Haines said. "Let's say someone comes in seeking a good Vitamin E, or they need calcium but can't swallow the big pills. We have the people to give advice."
The store also carries organic dairy products, produce, frozen organic beef and poultry and organic and natural beauty products. That may be a good move, with recent statistics showing the overall U.S. market for organic foods and beverages increasing 81 percent from 2001 to 2004, to reach more than $5.3 billion.
"This will be like a small Whole Foods," Haines said. "I'd say about 80 percent of the people I talked with asked if I would carry organic produce. I decided to give it a year and see if it is profitable."
Several reasons prompted Haines to locate the store in Valparaiso.
"I wanted people in my community to have access to healthy alternatives to additive-laden products found in mainstream stores," she said. "There is tons of new construction here with lots of new families. Valparaiso University is across the street, and lots of those kids are into eating healthy."
Haines also decided to add a Web site, www.aunaturelmarket.com, to sell supplements and beauty products. To promote the business, Au Naturel Market will hold its grand opening celebration Oct. 11.
The store also will offer free samples and food-tasting, guest speakers, and special sales on the second Tuesday of each month.
Business has been fairly steady since opening day," she said. "This is a great spot with good visibility. There is always someone in the store."
If you go
Store hours for Au Naturel Market are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. The telephone number is (219) 465-1984.
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