GREENCASTLE—Greencastle’s first stop for health and wellness items is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month.
“We opened up in July of 2003,” said Tammy Young, owner of Alternative Choices.
Alternative Choices will celebrate with an anniversary sale Friday, July 14 and Saturday, July 15.
The store recently moved from its North Allison Street location to a new location at 13 S. Carlisle Street.
“It’s a much more open shopping area,” Young said. “We ran out of space to put anything new at the old place.”
The new store just off Greencastle’s square features a glass storefront and bright, open interior.
Young has added some new items to her inventory with plans for an expanded pet section and she hopes to get the in-store community health education programs back up and running this fall.
Alternative Choices offers vitamins, protein supplements, teas, personal care items, essential oils, jewelry and more.
“We have quality lines of vitamins, supplements, herbals, aroma therapy and child and pet supplements,” Young said.
Customers can trust the brands they find on the shelves. Young doesn’t sell anything she wouldn’t trust herself.
“We do a lot of research on the quality of the lines we carry,” Young explained. “Trust and quality are a big thing for us.”
And unlike big box stores, Young and her experienced team are there to help shoppers.
“We try to educate customers on things they can do to be proactive with their health so they don’t necessarily need medications with side effects,” Young said. “It’s very personalized service.”
Staying healthy through natural foods and supplements is something Young has always focused on.
“Growing up, my mom was always very proactive with our health with healthy, home-cooked meals and making sure we took our vitamins,” Young recalled.
Years ago, she worked in a health-food store as a side job and connected with it. Then, she had a health issue of her own that kept her on track.
“It got me more involved in alternative medicine,” she admitted.
In the 20 years since having her own store, Young said her biggest reward comes from working with customers.
“It makes us feel really good when people realize they can control their own health and vitality,” she said.
