So far, so good, says Sean Den Herder, co-founder of
Saffrons, a retail store specializing in gluten free and allergy-friendly products. "A day does not go by that we don't have a new customer walk through the door," he says.
After experiencing health problems due to food allergies, Den Herder was recommended to try a gluten-free diet. Finding enough foods for his meals, however, was problematic. "I could not locate the products, and thought there has to be a better way to do this," he says.
Describing himself as a "all or nothing" type of guy, Den Herder and his wife Rachel decided to go all in. They opened up a small retail outlet two and half years ago, featuring exclusively gluten-free products as well as other foods that were friendly for individuals with allergies.
The business quickly outgrew its building and the couple moved to a
larger site this past summer. Now, the Saffrons team, which includes the couple and Den Herder's mother, is focused on growth and expanding its product line.
"We are slowly starting to introduce organic foods and supplements as we are positioning ourselves as more of health food store," say Den Herder, who then stresses that their priorities will always remain serving individuals with food allergies. "We feel very responsible for the individuals relying on us."
Besides products, Saffrons also offers monthly educational workshops and "Sample Saturdays," which feature a wide variety of specialty, gluten-free products for people to try.
To learn more about Saffrons, you can visit their website
here and join their Facebook page
here.
Source: Sean Den Herder, Saffrons
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor
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