Spotlight: Norwalk Natural Foods
Rick Ringel has been in the natural health business for almost as long as he can remember. 'It's all I've ever done. My mom had a health food store in Queens, NY that opened in 1961. Eventually my dad joined her and both my brother and I followed her into the business. It's all in the family!' In 1990, Rick purchased his own store, Norwalk Natural Foods, an existing health food store in Norwalk, Connecticut. It was one of the few health food stores in the area and had been operating for almost 50 years when Rick purchased the shop. Located in a commercial shopping and dining district, Norwalk Natural Foods was a well known source for health foods and supplements.
Rick's had first hand experience with the changes in the natural foods business since the '90's. When he bought the store, it had two main sections; one half was dedicated to foods and the other side was devoted to supplements. 'Back then, the giant retailers, like Whole Foods, didn't exist.' A few years ago, two large markets dedicated to health foods opened about a mile away from his store and he found that he could not compete with their food selection. He says that he now carries very little food, focusing instead on supplements and providing outstanding customer service to his clientele. 'I can provide services they can't, like filling special orders that the chains just can't do.'
Rick Ringel stands next to his NAP shelf at Norwalk Natural Foods.
Another change he's noticed is that people are far more interested and educated about their health. 'People seem to know what they want!' Rick says. He keeps up with the nutrition industry and reads the trade journals to hone his knowledge of vitamins and nutritional supplements. 'I avoid the internet' he jokes, 'Sometimes people come in saying, I read on-line that so-and-so cures this disease or that illness and it's just not the case.'
Rick began his relationship with North American Pharmacal about two years ago. 'North American Pharmacal's offices were located around the corner from my shop' says Rick. 'The employees became customers of mine and we started talking.' Intrigued by Dr. D'Adamo's philosophy, Rick began to stock the Right for Your Type products. Although NAP has moved to Wilton, Connecticut, they still maintain the same great relationship they had when they were neighbors. Today, Norwalk Natural Foods carries the complete line of Dr. D'Adamo's RIGHT 4 YOUR TYPE products, including all the test kits (blood type, secretor, GenoType), Sip Right Teas, Protein Blends and several of Dr. D'Adamo's books.
Rick clearly puts his customers first -- providing the highest quality products and excellent customer service. At this rate, it looks like he'll be in business for the next 50 years!
NORWALK NATURAL FOODS
36 Main St
Norwalk, CT 06851
(203) 838-2727
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