by June Portnoy
With the costs of healthcare becoming so astronomically high, people are looking for ways to stay healthy more than ever before. As a result, people are turning to GNC in Newtown for vitamins, minerals, herbs and nutritional supplements that will boost their immune system to prevent them from getting sick and help them live a longer, healthier life with fewer medications.
“Buying our products is like purchasing insurance to stay healthy for as long as possible,” says Karen Lane, co-owner of this store with her husband, Jeffrey. She adds, “Our focus is on health and nutrition, and our products fill a deficiency in one’s diet and gives customers natural energy.”
According to Karen, it’s her store’s exceptional customer service that sets it apart from other nutrition stores, even other GNCs. “Many of our customers would never consider going to another GNC even if it is more conveniently located to them because we have gained their trust over the years. In a small community like Newtown, customer loyalty is most important to us.”
A family-owned and operated business where the family members are routinely on-site is rare these days, but that’s what you’ll find at GNC at Newtown. Karen and Jeffrey, who bought this store 15 years ago, do it all, from waiting on customers to cleaning the store. Their store manager, Bernie Valente, has been with them for 13 years, so when you come in, you’ll typically see the same faces all the time year after year.
In addition, Karen and Jeffrey only hire experienced staff members and require employees receive three to six months of training and ongoing learning of new products on the market. This experienced, knowledgeable staff strives to put the right product in their customers’ hands. They help educate customers about their options based on individual needs. The store is stocked with inventory that can seem overwhelming at first, but the helpful sales associates will take their time getting to know each customer, so they can offer well-informed recommendations about which product will work best for them.
“We give our customers good, sound, reliable information and often become their source for information,” says Karen, who prides herself on following all the advanced scientific news and studies. “We often become aware of effective products long before they become mainstream in this country. We also encourage customers to do research on their own.”
