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Sunnyside health store offers more
Nourish NYC treats customers to vitamins and smoothies, organic food
By Katy Gagnon
Thursday, July 31, 2008 1:15 PM EDT
When Sunnyside resident Claire Carsen opened Nourish NYC last fall,
she wanted it to be more than the average health food store.
She wanted it to cater to health nuts and those who have never set
foot in such a place and offer more than just supplements or pills.
In the months since its October 2007 opening, the store has
exceeded her expectations.
Nourish NYC, at 43-15 Queens Blvd. in Sunnyside, offers everything
one might need to make his or her life healthier, more natural and
brighter. Carsen's items range from health food store staples like
vitamins and supplements to eco-friendly cleaning supplies, pet
food, baby care products, gluten-free breads and organic pastas.
There's even a smoothie bar and garden in the back to enjoy it all.
"With most health food stores, people don't know what to do when
they come inside," said Carsen.
At Nourish NYC, Carsen's wants to make the atmosphere inviting and
information available. For those who have never been to a health
food store, it is "a way for them to see the world beyond the
supermarket."
Since the store opened, business has flourished, she said. When
customers come in, they chat with Carsen, ask advice and recommend
products.
One customer suggested she carry gluten-free wraps, the kind found
at Whole Foods. Carsen told the customer she would have them in
stock the next week. Many products Carsen carries came from
customer recommendations, she said.
"This is my community. I want to learn from them," said Carsen, who
moved to the Sunnyside area 15 years ago.
Often, Carsen's customers will come in and describe their ailments,
such as low energy, conditions caused by pregnancy or losing
weight. A common one is stress.
Instead of recommending a pill, such as B-Complex, which reportedly
relieves stress, Carsen said she tries to understand why someone is
stressed and might suggest holistic approaches, like a change in
diet or aromatherapy.
"I can give them a pill, but I don't want to," she said.
Nourish NYC customers can also get expert insight at one of the
store's monthly evening talks, where a health professional leads an
hour-long discussion with customers.
Recent topics included the pros and cons of consuming dairy
products, aromatherapy benefits and sugar cravings.
Even if customers are not interested in health food, they can order
organic coffee or a fruit smoothie from the bar and enjoy it in the
serene garden behind the store.
"I love the idea of eating well and living well and taking care of
yourself," she said. "Everything out there in nature is there for
us. Somewhere along the line people lost touch with that, and now
they're starting to come back to it."
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