As the owner of a day trading company, Chris Engel never imagined that he would one day own a natural health food store. But that’s exactly what happened less than a year ago, when he purchased Whole Life Boost Natural Foods, formerly Good Stewards Natural Foods.

It all started when Engel’s daughter had a 104-degree temperature that lasted four days. Physicians told the family to let her “sweat it out” and to continue giving her ibuprofen and acetaminophen, but it wasn’t helping and his daughter was miserable. Determined to do whatever he could to help her, Engel recalled an essential oil treatment he had been given eight years earlier that helped reduce his high temperature within minutes.

He set out to find the same combination of oils at Good Stewards. Although the store did not carry exactly what he wanted, he was offered an alternative. Engel gave the remedy to his daughter and 20 minutes later, her temperature was back to normal. Pleased with the results, he went back to speak with the owner.

“I found out that the owner wanted to phase out of the business but still be involved in helping customers,” he says. “I am always looking for new business opportunities, but I didn’t know anything about natural health, so it seemed like a match made in heaven.”

After purchasing the store, he completely remodeled the space, increased the amount of grocery items and added a smoothie bar featuring all natural/organic smoothies. In April 2012, the store reopened as Whole Life Boost Natural Foods. Since then, Engel and his staff have remained focused on helping individuals maintain a healthy lifestyle and assisting others to start on the road to optimal health through nutrition, education and life-changing products.

“It wasn’t long ago that I knew nothing about natural foods and healthy living, so I can relate to those that come in looking for guidance,” notes Engel. “We have a nutritionist and a staff of natural food enthusiasts that can help individuals implement changes over time. We can literally take people step-by-step on their path to wellness.”

Location: 2563 S. Queen St., York. For more information, call 717-741-3377, email [email protected] or visit Facebook.com/WholeLifeBoost.