Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1483837
Page 6 | Abby's Magazine | www.AbbysMag.com Approximately twenty five years ago, I walked into a small health food store and asked if they needed help. That was before "health food" was something to talk about. A er a short conversa on, I had accepted a posi on that involved keeping the store clean and receive incoming inventory. Li le did I know God had a plan. My first day at work I met a person that was very passionate about health and nutri on and had a desire to help people feel be er. I was taken back by her compassion and willingness to give. She inspired and mo vated me to learn as much as I could from her. That began a friendship that I would cherish forever, one that would last twenty one years. Her name was Abby, one of the most giving people I have ever met. Two years later we got the opportunity to move the store into a bigger loca on. Our staff grew from three to ten, and then fi een, and when Café Eden opened in 2001, we had twenty employees. Through the years, as an independent health food store, we faced many challenges. Other nutri on stores started popping up in the area. At one point Carrollwood had three major health food stores and one vitamin store within half a mile from each other. Then there was 2008, a tuff economic me for everyone. And of course there's the last three years of events we have not seen before, at least not in my life me. Through it all, Abby's has endured every storm that has come our way. Two of those nutri on stores are no longer in business and many other businesses have had to make dras c changes. As I reflect on our company and how we have evolved through the years, I can't help but recognize these very important reasons that allow us to con nue to do what we do. First, our mo ve. Abby's slogan has always been "Be er Health Through Educa on." Birthed by Abby herself, this desire to educate people and assist them in finding their personal path to lifelong op mum health has carried on since the concep on of the company. We always have and we always will do everything we can to provide our customers and staff with the educa on needed to accomplish our vision. Secondly, our faithful community of people that believe in us, that understand that small businesses are the backbone of what America's economy was built on. They see the passion we have to help people with their health and nutri on and the importance of crea ng lifelong rela onships. Thirdly our amazing staff, my extended family. There are many reasons why we have today over forty five employees, with many having been with the company for over five years. Including several that have been with us for over ten years. Many started out like me, with very li le knowledge of Where GRACE and NUTRITION Meet health and nutri on, but understood that having good health is one of the most valuable things you can have in life. And so today, our staff has over one hundred years of combined experience in the natural health industry. Abby's Organic Community Farm was one of Abby's visions a few years before she passed. Today, the farm, led by David and many volunteers is thriving with people from all over coming to learn about organic farming, grow their own produce and just enjoy a healthy environment. The farm also provides our community a variety of educa onal workshops and field trips where kids have the opportunity to learn how a seed becomes food and the importance of suppor ng organic agriculture. We are a family owned business. My wife Trudy, who has helped through the years in several departments including grocery, nutri on and human resources. My mother, "Yaya", who shared and cooked some of the best Greek recipes in our Café for over seven years. My brother Peter, who is the editor of Abby's Magazine, and my two sons, Noah and Jonah who help with whatever is needed around the store as they con nue with their schooling. Lastly, I know that none of this would be possible without the divine interven on of my Savior, who has guided me through all the ups and downs of not only the business but in my personal challenges. His wisdom and guidance during the rough mes, His peace and provision during the scary mes and lastly, His grace, to choose someone like me to lead this amazing family we have here at Abby's for the last twenty five years. So as we approach a season of Thanksgiving, I want to take this opportunity to express gra tude to Abby, who believed in me, mentored me and took me in like her own son. To our faithful customers, who through the years have stuck with us and supported us every step of the way. To my Abby's family, who believe in our vision and leadership, and have stuck together through the ups an downs, especially the last three years. To my family, for your love and support. And lastly, my God who began this whole journey twenty five years ago, when He lead me to a small health food store in Carrollwood Florida, called Abby's Health and Nutri on. We will always provide our customers and staff "Be er Health Through Educa on" In Gra tude, Victor Karydis Owner & General Manager