While Whole Foods is taking over the North Side like the Genghis Khan of health food stores, absorbing Fresh Fields and Oak Street Market and preparing to drive other chains like Sherwins out of business, it has so far declined to even dip its toes into the vast South Side market. Like many yuppie-targeted major chains, Whole Foods seems to have been scared away by the economic and demographic uncertainty and scary image of the South Side. People on the South Side have a great appreciation for natural foods, said Milele Cheryl Simms, owner of A Natural Harvest at 7122 S. Jeffrey Blvd. It s quite entrenched in our communities.
Many people come from the southern states, where herbs flourished.
They can recall their parents and grandparents using herbs and spices. In Africa herbs are part of our history and tradition, though establishing them as a business is relatively new. The group sponsors events and aims to create a resource bank of information and support for the clients of the over 50 health food stores on the South Side. Owners of almost all the stores pride themselves on cultivating a friendly, communal atmosphere and spending quality time with their patrons. While this may not be part of the streamlined profit-making vision of Whole Foods, South Side owners say it is integral to their holistic view of health food and lifestyle.