Fifty Years of Wellness and Community at Jo Anne's Place Health Foods
/By Scott Arnold
A business that began in a family home in Lindsay has grown into a multi-generational success story, celebrating 50 years of serving customers in Lindsay and Peterborough.
margo hudson and her husband paul took of the business when her mother, jo anne fallaise, retired in 2003 (photo by scott arnold)
Jo Anne's Place Health Foods marked a major milestone Friday as the family-owned health and wellness business celebrated its 50th anniversary with special recognition ceremonies at both its Peterborough and Lindsay locations.
At the Peterborough store on Lansdowne Street West, representatives from the City of Peterborough and the provincial government presented certificates recognizing the company's five decades of service to the community. City councillor Joy Lachica attended on behalf of the city, while Mary Babcock presented recognition on behalf of Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith.
councillor joy lachica presented margo hudson with certificate from the city of peterborough to recognize 50 years of business for jo anne’s place (photo by scott arnold)
For owner Margo Hudson, the celebration was also a chance to reflect on the legacy of her mother, founder Jo Anne Fallaise, who passed away in January.
The story of Jo Anne's Place began in 1976 inside the family's century home on Kent Street in Lindsay. What started in a pair of small front rooms was inspired by a personal search for better health.
jo anne fallaise started the business inside the family home (photo provided by jo anne’s place)
Hudson said her father and one of her brothers suffered from severe asthma, and after traditional treatments failed to provide the results her mother hoped for, she began researching the connection between food and health.
"She decided that there had to be a different way," Hudson said.
Jo Anne removed processed foods from the family's diet, focused on natural ingredients and started making many foods herself. When she struggled to find stores selling the products she needed, her father offered a simple suggestion: open a store.
That's exactly what she did.
Back then, health food stores were far from common. Hudson said the early years brought challenges as natural health products were unfamiliar to many people. Word spread largely through conversations and recommendations from customers.
People were also drawn by Jo Anne herself.
Hudson said her mother loved helping people and sharing what she had learned. Curious customers often stopped in to learn more about healthy living and to see products they couldn't find elsewhere, including the fresh-ground peanut butter that became a signature item and remains popular today.
Hudson was there from the beginning.
"I was always in there like a dirty shirt," she laughed.
From working the cash register to helping wherever needed, she grew up alongside the business, learning directly from her mother. When the time came to choose her own path, Hudson decided to stay close to home, study business and health, and continue building on the foundation her mother created.
In 2003, Jo Anne retired and passed ownership of the business to Margo and her husband, Paul.
Over the years, Jo Anne's Place expanded beyond Lindsay, opening in Peterborough and growing into the wellness-focused business customers know today. Despite the changes, Hudson said the company's core values have never shifted.
"I'm most proud that we've stayed true to the course," she said.
She pointed to the importance of integrity, authenticity and excellence, values she believes have guided the company through changing trends, economic shifts and decades of growth.
jo anne’s place peterborough location at 1260 lansdowne st w (photo by scott arnold)
Hudson credits much of the business's success to the customers who have supported Jo Anne's Place across generations.
Many families who shopped there decades ago now have children and grandchildren who continue to visit the stores.
"If it wasn't for the customers coming back every week and telling their friends and family, we wouldn't be here," Hudson said.
Jo Anne’s place is known for many healthy foods, including their always fresh produce (photo by Scott Arnold)
