Farmacia Health Bar

 

If you’ve been in Lucknow this spring, you may have noticed a grand opening banner over a storefront on Campbell Street. The new shop, Farmacia Health Bar, is Lucknow’s brand new health and wellness spot, and it has already attracted a lot of positive energy from locals.

 

But what does a health bar do? Farmacia’s mission is a simple one: to help the community live a healthier, longer life. How do they do that? By selling healthy drinks, dried herbs used in traditional medicines and pantry items, as well as offering detoxification programs. There’s coffee enriched with ginger and turmeric, smoothies loaded with energy-boosting ingredients, and a fridge full of technicolor juices, elixirs and sodas. Detoxification programs are tailored to suit each person’s individual health needs.

 

On the Saturday after the grand opening, the shop was bustling with young mothers maneuvering strollers between tables as they tried to decide what drinks to get. Abby Scott, a Blyth native who now calls Lucknow home, went with the “Yoga Warrior” smoothie, commenting that Farmacia will be good for the town, especially because there is nothing else like it. Lucknow resident Alex Martin came for the “Dreamsicle” smoothie, and stayed for the establishment’s “welcoming vibe”. Scott’s daughter Jasmine and Martin’s daughter Kaylee both had “Sanna Banana” smoothies, offering thumbs-up gestures and enthusiastic nods of approval when asked for a review.

 

Owner and Toronto transplant Steve Sanna took some time out from blending smoothies to chat with The Citizen about the new venture. Sanna said he has always had a keen interest in helping people, and considers Farmacia to be a “new age pharmacy”. Lucknow’s store is actually the second Farmacia, the first being located in Toronto’s Beaches neighbourhood.

 

Sanna got his start foraging when he was just six years old. He went on to study biochemistry at Seneca College, then worked as a wilderness canoe guide and personal trainer. When training clients, he began to use his knowledge of traditional medicines and nutrition to aid them on their fitness journeys. The natural next step? Opening his first "health bar" at a hot yoga studio in Toronto. Farmacia in the Beaches opened in 2014, and quickly became a neighbourhood staple.

 

He met his partner Krysteen Perkins 10 years ago, bonding over an enthusiasm for healthy living. They bought a property in Bervie four years ago, and since then they’ve been looking for a single location where they could respectively open a health bar and a Kundalini Dance and Yoga studio. The studio is currently under construction, but should be up and running soon.

 

Kincardine’s Crystal Young spotted Farmacia while bringing clothes to a nearby consignment store. "I didn't even know this was here… it’s great for the community.” Lurgan Beach’s Jade Bowman was shopping at Everlastings Flowers & Gifts across the street when she noticed Farmacia. She said, "I love this for the area because there are not very many healthy options."

 

Currently, Farmacia Health Bar is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you mention learning about Farmacia from The Citizen when you go, Sanna says you will receive 15 per cent off a three-day personalized detox program. Stay healthy, Lucknow! ??? Campbell St, Lucknow.