Natural lifestyle brand gears up for new retail location on Wealthy

"I've always been fascinated by people who run their own careers," says Chicago transplant turned natural products entrepreneur Patrick Stoffel. Passionate about his soaps and lotions, brilliant presentation, and above all investing in one's city, Stoffel is about to open a retail store for his lifestyle company Fox Naturals.

In 2012, Stoffel began experimenting by making his own soaps and "kind of just goofing around with it," he says. While perfecting his recipes and receiving heaps of compliments from his friends on his products and presentation, Stoffel honed in his focus on all-natural ingredients. "It was a good way to learn about natural products. At the time it wasn't a big thing yet. So it was easy to learn how to make something and use it and try it out for friends," he says.

In the mean time, Stoffel became interested in Grand Rapids while visiting his brother. While grabbing a beer at local favorite Brewery Vivant, "I think I fell in love at that moment," says Stoffel. He and his husband soon moved to Grand Rapids for our city's "Good beer. Good food. Cheap living," he says.

Living in GR and working retail management full time for pretty much every big company you can think of," he says, Stoffel officially launched Fox Naturals in 2015, offering free local delivery of everything from body soaps to hair and body oils to shampoos and conditioners. Focused equally on skin and body as well as health and wellness, Stoffel began partnering with other locals like designer and DJ AB and businesses like Mokaya, Lamb Bride, and the Downtown Market to host pop-up events where he could promote his brand and reach more customers. "It was amazing the response that we got for doing those," he says.

Soon, Fox Naturals was blowing up, and Stoffel quit his retail job to pursue the business full time. Out growing his and his home office, the two stumbled upon a fairly new development at 619 Wealthy, right across the street from Wealthy Street Bakery. With hard work and serendipity combined, Stoffel decided. "It's now or never. And Wealthy Street is just the perfect location," he says.

Excited about a petite store front that will maintain the original charm of the building with a fresh, updated look, Stofel will open Fox Naturals this April. With a book and mortar presence, new customers will have a chance to walk in and experience the products, while others will still have the opportunity to order online (and also pickup in store). Starting out with just himself and his husband behind the counter, he is open to growth, and knows he is in good company.

"The best part of being in Grand Rapid is that there's so many people who support local," says Stoffel.

Photos courtesy of Leigh Ann Cobb for Fox Naturals.