Thrifty Foods is hosting a grand re-opening of its renovated vitamins department Friday, Nov. 28 to celebrate the bigger and brighter space at the downtown Courtenay grocery.
"The customers seem to appreciate it," said Vitamins & More department manager Lindy Berkowitz, who has been in the retail/natural foods health industry for about 22 years in the North Island.
The department had been located in a cramped and congested space in the centre of the store that was difficult to navigate.
"All people did was go through it all day long, getting to another aisle way. Now we're over by the beautiful, big windows. We have three nice, big aisles. It's open and roomy. It's totally different."
Customers old and new are invited to visit the new location next to the deli.
Friday's event will include product demos, free samples and a chance to win gifts donated by natural health suppliers.
At 1 p.m., guest speaker Mary Anne Meredith of Circles Wellness Centre will offer insights on how to help one's deep immune for the cold and flu season. Attendees will learn how to stay healthy using natural remedies.
Meredith — a lifelong herbalist and health care consultant — is donating a gift certificate worth about $150 to celebrate the new vitamin centre.
"She's very popular and well known," said Berkowitz, who has about $1,500 worth of gift baskets and prizes to give away from the store's natural suppliers.
She encourages patrons to drop by for a chat.
"It's been well received," Berkowitz said of the new-look department. "That's what I'm trying to do is just get people's awareness up and have them come down and visit and see what it's all about. And then know they can come here anytime to talk to me and I can help them."
Friday's re-opening celebration runs from noon to 4 p.m.