Ideas for starting a business are as varied as the persons who do so. Obviously, making money is almost always at the core of the start-up. However, pursuing a personal interest or an all-consuming interest or hobby may be the stimulus. Whatever the origin, our world of commerce in the area covered by the Chesapeake Style is a hotbed of new shops and new businesses seemingly almost every week.

Becoming the mother of eight children through the early years of her marriage led Carole Harrison to want to feed her children and husband nutritious and enticing foods. She wanted to prepare vitamin and mineral-filled foods that the family would enjoy, but which would also promote good health in them.

In 1994, after husband, Lee, retired from his “high steel” construction job in Jacksonville, Florida, and Carole had left her job with Bell South, the family returned to Reedville near Lee’s original home on Hack’s Neck in Ophelia, Northumberland County. They came back to care for his mother.
They purchased one of the wonderful old fish captain’s homes which needed major renovations. When the house was finally ready for them to move into, Carole began thinking about having a health foods store since this had been a dream of hers. Lee seemed rather cool to this idea and he pursued his interest in one of the local seasonal industries which was crab fishing. He had a ready buyer so he was satisfying his interest and making money, too.

Lee Harrison helps a customer—note background
wall of family photos. Worth a visit! Janet Abbott
Fast photo.

To her joy, in January 1999, Carole, Lee, and Lee, Jr. opened a health food store in a small shop in Kilmarnock in what is now Jim’s Gym. It had a very small store area and a short time later, they were able to move to what had been an insurance office toward the north end of downtown Kilmarnock. Lee has built and installed numerous shelves that bear a massive variety of vitamins, minerals, and all manner of cereals, whole grains, nuts, and, well, you just must visit to see for yourself!

The foods and other health promoting items are purchased by phone and computer from Tree of Life Health Foods, St. Augustine, Florida, and United Natural Foods, Dayville, Connecticut.

Carole is a very sweet natured person whose deep religious faith comes through in her obvious dependence on God. “In God’s time”, and “According to God’s plan”, are a couple of her conversational assertions. Placid and easy-going are words that apply to both Carole and Lee. They are two of the kindest persons I have ever known. I had the joy of having them as cross-street neighbors in Reedville a few years ago. They love gardening and keeping a beautiful lawn with lots of flowers. Carole says she just plants the flowers and God provides the growth and beauty.

Their eight children, five sons and three daughters, have given them seventeen grandchildren and two great grandchildren spread across Florida, Ohio, and Indiana. One of their daughters is a body builder and you can view a photo of her on their bulletin board near the cash register.

If you need a remedy for some ailment, wish to enjoy a tasty treat, or want to try some item to promote good health, just visit Higher Health Foods in Kilmarnock and feast your eyes on their wide-ranging array of products. The Harrison’s have a large number of people who have tried one of their products and now have become repeat customers. Why not make a visit to this emporium of the bounty nature provides in things that are good for your health? You will quickly understand what a unique place this is right here in our midst.