‘It worked out beautifully’: Pure N’ Simple under new ownership

GLENS FALLS — New ownership took over Pure N’ Simple Natural Foods in June, but not much else has changed for the longtime Glens Falls store.

Kristen and Andrew Holt have run the store for just over three months, taking over for former owners Paul and Bonnie Savard. Kristen Holt said the transition was “seamless.”

“They closed on a Friday under their name, and we opened on a Monday under our name,” said Holt. “The health inspector came in Monday morning before we opened, and it was just a seamless transition.”

Holt said the idea to run a health food store initially came from her husband.

“Several months back, my husband just randomly mentioned to me that we should start a health food store,” Holt said. “I said, ‘Well, you should talk to the other health food store in town. … We should talk to them and see if we can partner with them.”

What the Holts found instead, however, was that the property had been listed for sale.

“Two days later, I walked into the store and saw a ‘For Sale’ sign on the building,” said Holt. “I asked them about it, and they said that they were going to be selling the store.”

The Savards were planning on closing the store altogether at the end of May, Holt said. This led the Holts to take over Pure N’ Simple, which they have operated since June 6.

“I just got the chills and I just felt such a deep grief for this couple that had poured their heart and soul into this shop for 35 years, and for the community, that it wasn’t going to be here anymore for them,” said Holt.

After returning from a vacation, the Holts began talks to take over the store.

“We came back, and we met with them. We were able to just talk about what we needed, and what they needed,” Holt explained. “It worked out beautifully. … It’s just been so beautiful working with Paul and Bonnie. They’ve been such an encouragement, such a support in training us and teaching us everything we would need to know for the shop.”

Since taking over, Holt says the response from the local community has been strong.

“We love it. We have four small kids that love to be here with us as well,” said Holt. “We’ve gotten really positive feedback from the community. Everyone’s very excited that we’re here. … It’s great to have the support of the customers.”

Pure N’ Simple specializes in health food and supplements, Holt said. She noted that the couple is attempting to “keep everything the same” as before the sale, in addition to adding several new options.

“We’ve got supplements and herbs, and vitamins. We’ve got a lot of healthy, organic foods and also non-organic,” said Holt. “We’ve got foods for special diets, like vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free. We have a lot of bulk foods. … We package all our own dried fruits, nuts, flowers, oats, that sort of thing.”

Holt mentioned that the store hopes to partner with local growers to sell fresh produce.

“It’s great that we have the farmer’s market on Saturday, but we would like to afford them a place where they can also sell Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Not just on Saturday’s,” said Holt. “That would be our biggest goal.”

Holt also said the store will fulfill custom orders, encouraging customers to reach out and provide feedback.

“We’re still doing the famous granola and muffins that they made,” Holt said. “If there’s any changes that they’re not used to, or anything they would like that we don’t have, we would love for them to let us know.

“We want to make sure our customers are getting the same thing that they had, plus a little extra.”