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 Pearl Schmitt, a local legend in the
natural health care world started Top o' the Line Total
Health Shoppe back in 1981 in the Historical Garland
Village in Spokane, Washington.
Pearl had already been a
registered nurse for over 35 years when she decided to
go into business for herself.
Starting Top o' the Line was
really just a hobby for Pearl and she just wanted to
help people out. For almost the first 20 years, there
weren't even any shelves. Everything was still in the
shipping boxes sitting on tables. The loyal customers
would just come regularly and tell Pearl what they
wanted and she would go grab the products for them and
bring them to her desk. Pearl would then write out a
hand written receipt since she didn't even have a cash
register.
Top o' the Line has come a
long way since then. In early 2001, Pearl had sold the
business to a friend of hers so she could retire and
enjoy life. This owner had done lots of work on the
store and had the management install shelves, info racks
and other items to really give the store some pizzazz.
In October 2002, Paula &
Aaron Murakami, a mother and son team, purchased this
mom & pop store from the new owner since the new
owner decided to stay in the eye care business. Paula
& Aaron had wanted to open their own store from
scratch but Top o' the Line came around at the exact
right moment to fulfill some of their dreams.
Still to this day, you can
catch Pearl 2 or 3 times a week coming to Top o' the
Line to get some health food and her supplements.
Future plans for Top o' the
Line:
When Paula & Aaron
purchased the store, there were quite a few products
packed on the shelves.
As many of the products sell
down, they will not be reordered. Of course, many of the
best sellers will be and some new and upcoming products
will be added.
Instead of having everything
for everyone, Paula & Aaron wants to be true to the
name of Top o' the Line. Therefore, they really plan to
have Top o' the Line quality products of each type
available. Instead of 30 types of calcium supplements
(probably the most in town), they will narrow it down to
about 7. That will apply to more of the supplements as
well as body care, organic foods, etc...
With the addition of this
website, local residents can place orders online or make
requests and the orders can be put together and bagged
up so the customers can save time when they come in to
pay.
Also, online sales will be
available worldwide (mostly US & Canada) thanks to
the world wide web.
Stay posted for more up and
coming plans from Top o' the Line Total Health
Shoppe.
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