Carson City health foods store expands to match pandemic growth

Rich and Richone Cancimilla, father and daughter duo at Lifestream Health Foods, stand under their new window art. Rich said that he hopes the rainbow becomes part of their store identity.

Rich and Richone Cancimilla, father and daughter duo at Lifestream Health Foods, stand under their new window art. Rich said that he hopes the rainbow becomes part of their store identity. Photo: Faith Evans / Nevada Appeal

By Faith Evans

Friday, January 21, 2022

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Carson City has one rainbow that residents can chase to the end. It arcs the windows of the newly expanded Lifestream Health Foods on North Carson Street.

Owner Rich Cancimilla said business has nearly quadrupled through the pandemic, so it’s even accurate to call Lifestream the pot of gold at the end.

“The expansion was incredible. We knew we had to do it. … Carson City was demanding a better product in the marketplace,” he told the Nevada Appeal during an in-person interview.

With all the new space, he’s not only able to offer his usual selection of vitamins, oils and supplements, he’s made room for bulk food, healthy snacks and drinks, and durable medical equipment.

His daughter, Richone Cancimilla, who works as a nutritional specialist at the store, added she’s proud of their local food aisle with jams, jellies and CBD made in Carson City.

Richone and Rich have enjoyed how the new space and optionality help them cater to nearly everyone who visits the store.

Lifestream Health Foods has expanded their store to accommodate more customers during the pandemic. Photo: Faith Evans / Nevada Appeal

 

“Everybody that walks in this front door here has a different idea about what works for them,” Rich said. “We learn a lot from the people that come in here.”

He calls it a high “health IQ,” and it’s a typical characteristic among his clientele. Though, among his growing pandemic customer base, he’s also noticed customers who visit because they worry about COVID. Many of his customers are older folks.

He and Richone often hop on the computer behind the register to help visitors decide what products will benefit them most.

“My main goal and concern is to supply the community, make sure that we have what they’re looking for,” Rich said.

In 2022, he’s considering franchising Lifestream. He suspects that there are a lot of people who want to break into the health foods market.

But that’s somewhere over the rainbow. For now, he’s focused on making the most of his expanded store.

Lifestream Health Foods is located at 101 Hot Springs Road.

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