Owned and operated by Kim Overes with assistance from Shauna Schmid, Naturistas is located at 424 7St S. Naturistas opened 17 years ago with a focus on Canadian products in health and wellness.
Since opening in 2006 Naturistas has been involved in recycling and Kim – who took ownership in 2016 , continues to promote sustainability and waste reduction. They stock a variety of reuseable cleaning, bath and body products and installed a refill station, which has proven very popular, diverting thousands of bottles from the landfill.
The store also supports local producers and is the pickup site for Busy Bea’s Market Garden winter box program which supplies fresh organic fruits and vegetables. This program is used by over 100 families through winter and early spring.
One of Kim’s initiatives was a solution to a challenge she had in reducing waste. She was shocked by the amount of packaging suppliers used and found an alternative use for the boxes and protective material. She provides boxes and materials for anyone who is moving or in need of shipping materials. Kim is proactive in finding anyone who requires those items.
Kim has noticed a change in peoples attitude to recycling and waste reduction whether using the popular refill stations or purchasing reuseable containers, mugs, food wraps etc., Naturistas continues to support the downtown with reuseable options. She plans to continue finding new and innovative ways to increase sustainability at the business the same way she does at home. In her words – when anything gets reused or repurposed it makes her heart sing.
Written by Nancy Lee
