February 25, 2015 - Lethbridge Sun Times - page 16 BEST OF THE BEST Putting health first for three generations


Judy Westcott For the Sun Times


S


ince launching its health-food store in 1953, the Oliver family has focused on providing southern Albertans with quality natural health products. “The store may have changed dramatically


over the years, but the focus remains the same — to provide exceptional customer service and quality products to our customers,” says Ryan Oliver, third-generation owner of Oliver Health Foods with his wife Chawntelle and his parents Don and Dana Oliver, second-generation owners. Located in College


Centre at 107 2045 Mayor Magrath Drive South since 2002, the origins of the store can be traced back to 1949 when Howard Oliver followed his interest in the health-food industry by importing and distributing across Canada a vitamin and mineral supplement called Elemin, says Ryan. He was also distributing a weight-loss product called


Network, an association of independent health-food stores that Oliver Health Foods maintains an active role with. “This allows us to borrow from the collective wisdom


and buying power of 113 stores across Canada,” Don says. “If I come across an issue I need information about, I just start calling or emailing around and someone will have answers for me before too long, which is really nice.” Oliver Health Foods is also the exclusive distributor of


the Health First brand in the Lethbridge area. “Most of our products we carry are manufactured in


Canada,” says Ryan. “Because of strict industry regulations, Canada has the best supplements in the world.” Products carried in the store include a wide variety of


vitamins, minerals and supplements, and Ryan says they stock in quantity so customers can buy in bulk if they desire. One of the most popular sections of the store is the


area devoted to products aimed at preventing or treating arthritis pain and stiffness, Ryan says. In addition, the store features an extensive grocery


PHOTO BY JUDY WESTCOTT


Operating Oliver Health Foods these days are the third- and second-generation owners, Ryan Oliver, left, and his parents Don and Dana Oliver.


Don says one of the biggest changes he’s seen in the


Weigh Rite and a nutritional feed supplement for animals called Feed Ani. Purchasing Vic’s Health Foods in downtown Lethbridge in


1953, Howard continued to operate both the store and the wholesale operation until the mid-1950s, at which time Canadian regulations made the importation of vitamins from the U.S. too difficult and costly, so the wholesale business was closed, says Ryan. In 1979, the Oliver family moved the store to College Mall


in the city’s south end. Both Don and Ryan remember getting their start in the


business as children helping out in the store — Don in the 1960s and Ryan in the late 1980s and early 1990s. “Now my kids are starting to spend time in here, too,”


Ryan chuckles.


health-food business over the years is an improvement in the perception of the industry because of a growing interest in healthy living by the general population. “The Internet has really opened up a whole world of


information and made it easy for people to research health issues,” Don says. “Some of it is good information, but some of it’s not so good.” Providing customers with years of expertise and keeping


current with ongoing educational programs to help them wade through what can be conflicting and confusing information is something the entire Oliver family takes pride in. “It works both ways — we’ve learned a lot from our


customer base as well,” says Ryan. Don was also a founding member of the Health First


section for gluten-free, low-carb and organic products — including local dairy products — as well as natural health and beauty aids. Oliver also carries an extensive selection of essential oils, which can be used for aromatherapy or the making of cosmetics and soaps. “We can’t keep them on the shelf — they just fly off,”


Ryan says. More recent additions to the product selection includes


products geared towards the active lifestyle crowd, like protein powders and supplements, Ryan says. “We’re finding a younger customer base that is attracted


to the endurance enhancing products.” Because the Oliver family is focused on “keeping our


customers for life,” Don says the store also has a Customer Appreciation Day once a month. On the last Thursday of each month, customers receive a 20 per cent discount on all regular-priced merchandise. “If our customers can’t make it into the store in person


that day, call us and we’ll set the product aside,” Don says. More information about healthy living and Oliver Health


Foods can be found on the company’s website at http://www.oliverhealthfoods.com.


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