If natural health and beauty products are your cup of tea, expect to find them – and hot tea – this weekend at the grand opening of downtown Los Altos’ newest business.
Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy is scheduled to open its 30th store, located at 400 First St., with celebratory freebies Saturday and Sunday.
The first 100 customers through the doors when the store opens 8 a.m. Saturday will receive a “wellness gift bag” filled with natural health and skin-care products. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days, customers can take advantage of chair massages, mini-facials and mini-makeovers – all at no charge.
“We really want to make sure the community feels invited and welcome to check out what we have to offer,” said Laura Coblentz, Pharmaca’s vice president of marketing.
The new 2,800-square-foot space is stocked with natural beauty care products, healthful snacks, eco-friendly household goods and gift items.
Pharmaca boasts a lineup of in-store naturopathic practitioners, homeopaths, herbalists and nutritionists. A “natural beauty bar” features spa-quality makeup and skin-care products, along with beauty services such as brow waxes and lash applications. On-hand estheticians are available to advise customers on products and treatments.
Founded in 2000 in Boulder, Colo., Pharmaca prides itself on its relaxing retail vibe: “a stress-free and inviting shopping experience,” according to a release on the Los Altos store opening.
“Pharmaca opened its first store with the goal of changing how people approach health and wellness,” said Allison Janda, vice president of operations at Pharmaca. “Our innovative retail concept was a first in the industry and has thus far been incredibly well received by consumers.”
Pharmaca stores typically offer traditional pharmacy services alongside natural and complementary products, but the Los Altos location is different. This is Pharmaca’s second Wellness & Natural Beauty store – a retail-only location in the chain of integrative pharmacies.
“There’s a higher level of pharmacies in the area,” Coblentz said of the decision to stick to retail. “We thought it would be a great fit for the Los Altos market.”
Pharmaca has 10 locations in the Bay Area, with the nearest pharmacy in Los Gatos.
“We’re really excited about Los Altos as a community,” Coblentz added. “There are more businesses opening up, and there seems to be an increase in activity. We’re excited to be part of that.”
Coblentz noted that Pharmaca will donate 5 percent of total retail sales Saturday to Hidden Villa, the organic farm and wilderness preserve in Los Altos Hills.
Hidden Villa Deputy Director of Development Marc Sidel said the nonprofit appreciates the pledge.
“It is encouraging to see a new business in Los Altos set a tone of giving back to the community on their very first day of business,” he said. “Donations to Hidden Villa support our living laboratory for lifelong learning.”
For more information, visit pharmaca.com.
