Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
NEW SHOP — Dr. Chris Bell and his wife Martha have opened a new nutritional supplement business at their 22 B Road chiropractic business and will celebrate with a grand opening Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Local residents searching for high quality nutritional supplements need look no further thanks to the efforts of Chris and Martha Bell.
Chris Bell, a chiropractor who operates his own practice from 22 B Road, decided to create County Naturals — a separate store inside his practice devoted to therapeutic-grade supplement and health products such as back braces and support pillows.
An open house for the business will be held Saturday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“It fits in with what we try to promote here and it’s something I have been thinking about for a while now,” Dr. Bell said. “Before, we never had the space to devote to this or the time to really do it.”
Following the retirement of Dr. Bruce Harvey from the chiropractic business, Bell said he felt the time was right to introduce his concept to the practice. Many of the items included in the shop are products that his patients have purchased over the years.
“We are trying to provide high quality, therapeutic, physician-grade supplements and formulas that people in this area can benefit from,” he said. “We aren’t going to be a ‘GNC’ type store selling Creatine to build muscle mass. It will be supplements for the heart, immune system, bone and digestive systems.”
County Naturals features more than 300 different products in the new retail space.
“We have seen a lot of patients looking for natural alternatives,” Bell said. “But they really didn’t know where to start or what to get. When you buy products off the shelf (at local pharmacies) some of the products may not be so good for the person.”
Martha Bell added, “I think this is going to be an asset for the community. A lot of people travel to Bangor to purchase these items. Because these will be physician-grade products, they won’t need an appointment to buy them.”
For example, natural pain relief options are something his clients seek on a daily basis.
“White willow bark is a great alternative, but what you buy in the store may only be a 50-60 milligram dosage, when what they really need is a 240 milligram dosage,” he said. “They are taking these things and only getting a quarter of what they may need, and then wonder why it’s not working.”
Dr. Bell said he has done extensive research on the products he is selling, as well as what the recommended dosages for those products should be to assist people.
Dr. Bell took over his chiropractic business from Dr. Harvey earlier this year. He graduated in October, 2004, and moved to North Carolina, where he practiced for about four years before moving back to Houlton for an opportunity to work with Dr. Harvey.
Martha Bell has taken over the retail boutique — Tanning Plus — which is also located at the B Road office and may expand that business in the future.
County Naturals will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information on County Naturals, call 532-4158.
