Business on the Move: Vital Nutrition
October 14, 2012
Bob Vander Pyl has three passions: birding, music and a holistic approach to health and healing. He can identify a green heron in flight from its shadow on the ground; has performed everything from Handel’s Messiah to Rock and Roll; and is the knowledgeable proprietor of the vitamin/supplement store, Vital Nutrition.
If you’ve heard the advertisements on local radio, you know Vital Nutrition is “difficult to find, but worth the trip.” Soon the store will move from its current location, ‘behind’ CVS on Davis Straits, to a new building in Homeport. “We’re moving to 358 Gifford Street, the northernmost building in Homeport. The signage for the new store will still be tricky. You’ll be able to see the building from Gifford Street, but have to come into Homeport to get to the store.”
Signage was an issue at the original location as well. When Jack Conway Realty closed their Davis Straits office it allowed the other businesses in the complex to share the allotted space for signage. After fourteen years in that location, Bob was finally able to hang a small, but visible sign on route 28. Four months later, he learned he had to move.
There was an offer on the property and the tenants were advised to look for new locations. Renting from Jack Conway had always been a positive experience; they took care of problems and cared about the tenants. “The prospect of looking for a new place with a new landlord felt daunting.”
Bob mourned the situation briefly then embraced the serendipity. The business was growing and the cramped shelves were becoming overcrowded. For months he had been joking, “If this keeps up, we’re going to need a bigger store.” Now fate was nudging him forward. He started telling customers he was looking for a new location. Within days Brian Axon stepped through the door. Mr. Axon was looking for a tenant for his new building in Homeport. Bob chose the property, 358 Gifford Street, Falmouth for the future location of Vital Nutrition. Staff member Laura Engstrom feels the choice is a good one. “I’m looking forward to being closer to physicians and holistic practitioners who refer their clients to us.”
Customer input and serendipity have always played a role in the growth of Vital Nutrition. In 1998, Bob started working part-time for the vitamin/supplement store, previously named Consumer Nutrition. By February of 1999, the owner decided to sell the business. Bob had never imagined himself as a business owner, “But Ked gave me an offer I couldn’t refuse.” Bob had worked at Amber Waves, the local health food store, with his sister Nancy Vander Pyl and brother-in-law, Jim Bergren. Bob trusted his 21 years of experience and took a chance.
He followed the business model inherited from the former owner, Kedric Butt, offering quality products at a discount. “We discount everything in the store, every day, for every customer,” Bob said. The business has grown steadily, utilizing customer feedback and requests. “I always felt it was the customers’ store more than mine and the needs of the customers were more important than being a business owner or getting a paycheck.” Bob’s knowledge, honesty and integrity have created long-term relationships. “There’s nothing like it,” customer Eric Massey said. “Bob is someone who cares that what you take is going to help you; not just that you paid for it.”
The opening will feature artwork by Helen Koehler. “It’s exciting! It will be a bigger, beautiful space and an alternative art space,” Helen said. “Artists in this present economic climate have to be innovative, expanding into non-traditional spaces to show their work. Vital Nutrition offers alternative health and healing products so it fits as an alternative art space.”
“The new location is twice the size, open, airy and built to suit,” Bob said. “Plus it’s just three minutes from where we are now.” The new store has an open floor plan allowing you to see the whole room. “I love the idea of more space and it being more user friendly,” said staff member, Deb Morgan. “And I love the idea of a front porch to welcome customers and staff.”
Over thirty volunteers have offered to help with the move. The weekend of October 13th and 14th, customers, sales representatives and friends will assist the staff, moving boxes filled with over 3,000 products; vitamins, protein powders, natural shampoos, teas, etc. “We’ll be open 9:00am-4:00pm Saturday and closed Sunday as usual. We may still be unpacking boxes, Monday, October 15th, but will open at 9:30am, like we always do. We appreciate everyone’s patience during the transition.”
Posted by
Jennifer Vander Pyl on the Falmouth Patch October 13, 2012
If you’ve heard the advertisements on local radio, you know Vital Nutrition is “difficult to find, but worth the trip.” Soon the store will move from its current location, ‘behind’ CVS on Davis Straits, to a new building in Homeport. “We’re moving to 358 Gifford Street, the northernmost building in Homeport. The signage for the new store will still be tricky. You’ll be able to see the building from Gifford Street, but have to come into Homeport to get to the store.”
Signage was an issue at the original location as well. When Jack Conway Realty closed their Davis Straits office it allowed the other businesses in the complex to share the allotted space for signage. After fourteen years in that location, Bob was finally able to hang a small, but visible sign on route 28. Four months later, he learned he had to move.
There was an offer on the property and the tenants were advised to look for new locations. Renting from Jack Conway had always been a positive experience; they took care of problems and cared about the tenants. “The prospect of looking for a new place with a new landlord felt daunting.”
Bob mourned the situation briefly then embraced the serendipity. The business was growing and the cramped shelves were becoming overcrowded. For months he had been joking, “If this keeps up, we’re going to need a bigger store.” Now fate was nudging him forward. He started telling customers he was looking for a new location. Within days Brian Axon stepped through the door. Mr. Axon was looking for a tenant for his new building in Homeport. Bob chose the property, 358 Gifford Street, Falmouth for the future location of Vital Nutrition. Staff member Laura Engstrom feels the choice is a good one. “I’m looking forward to being closer to physicians and holistic practitioners who refer their clients to us.”
Customer input and serendipity have always played a role in the growth of Vital Nutrition. In 1998, Bob started working part-time for the vitamin/supplement store, previously named Consumer Nutrition. By February of 1999, the owner decided to sell the business. Bob had never imagined himself as a business owner, “But Ked gave me an offer I couldn’t refuse.” Bob had worked at Amber Waves, the local health food store, with his sister Nancy Vander Pyl and brother-in-law, Jim Bergren. Bob trusted his 21 years of experience and took a chance.
He followed the business model inherited from the former owner, Kedric Butt, offering quality products at a discount. “We discount everything in the store, every day, for every customer,” Bob said. The business has grown steadily, utilizing customer feedback and requests. “I always felt it was the customers’ store more than mine and the needs of the customers were more important than being a business owner or getting a paycheck.” Bob’s knowledge, honesty and integrity have created long-term relationships. “There’s nothing like it,” customer Eric Massey said. “Bob is someone who cares that what you take is going to help you; not just that you paid for it.”
The opening will feature artwork by Helen Koehler. “It’s exciting! It will be a bigger, beautiful space and an alternative art space,” Helen said. “Artists in this present economic climate have to be innovative, expanding into non-traditional spaces to show their work. Vital Nutrition offers alternative health and healing products so it fits as an alternative art space.”
“The new location is twice the size, open, airy and built to suit,” Bob said. “Plus it’s just three minutes from where we are now.” The new store has an open floor plan allowing you to see the whole room. “I love the idea of more space and it being more user friendly,” said staff member, Deb Morgan. “And I love the idea of a front porch to welcome customers and staff.”
Over thirty volunteers have offered to help with the move. The weekend of October 13th and 14th, customers, sales representatives and friends will assist the staff, moving boxes filled with over 3,000 products; vitamins, protein powders, natural shampoos, teas, etc. “We’ll be open 9:00am-4:00pm Saturday and closed Sunday as usual. We may still be unpacking boxes, Monday, October 15th, but will open at 9:30am, like we always do. We appreciate everyone’s patience during the transition.”
Posted by
Jennifer Vander Pyl on the Falmouth Patch October 13, 2012