© 2024 WVIK
Listen at 90.3 FM and 98.3 FM in the Quad Cities, 95.9 FM in Dubuque, or on the WVIK app!
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Economy

Colorado-based Grocer Opens Certified Organic Store

People who have special diets or like to eat food without additives will have another place to shop in the Quad Cities. Wednesday morning, Natural Grocers will open a new store in Davenport on 53rd Street next to Rave Cinemas.

Store Manager Brad Orendorff of Davenport, IA stands by boxes in an aisle of the new grocery store.
Credit Michelle O'Neill / WVIK News
/
WVIK News
Store Manager Brad Orendorff of Davenport, IA

Store Manager, Brad Orendorff, says a Colorado couple founded the company as Vitamin Cottage in 1955, and later expanded to include groceries. One of its goals is to teach people about nutrition and how to make choices that will improve their health.

Another is to make organic and healthy products affordable for everyone. And Orendorff says Natural Grocers is committed to serving the community. For example, the Davenport store won't use paper or plastic disposable bags at all. The store will donate five cents to the River Bend Food Bank every time a customer brings in reusable bags.

Credit Michelle O'Neill / WVIK News
/
WVIK News
Checkout will be bagless, i.e. no disposable bags.

The 15,000 square foot store has hired 20, full time employees and features a demonstration kitchen for cooking classes, a nutritional health coach, and free coffee every day from 8 to 11 am.

For tomorrow's opening, Orendorff says Natural Grocers will give away gluten-free muffins in the morning, then ice cream later with dairy-free products for customers to try along with certified organic brands.

Economy
Officially, Michelle's title for 28 years was WVIK News Editor. She did everything there is to do in the newsroom and whatever was needed around the radio station. She also served as Acting News Director from September 2023 - January 2024.