LETTER: Thank you to Sunflower Natural Foods

To the Community: 

Everybody knows it takes a village.  It takes collective effort to raise a child, to raise social consciousness and to raise the quality of life.  What does it take to nurture and nourish that village? To keep its people in good spirit and good health?  

The Sunflower Natural Foods Store has fulfilled that role for the past 20 years. 

Located on Route 100 in Waterbury Center, its array of giant painted sunflowers (which appropriately symbolize strength and lasting happiness) beckon to townsfolk and tourists alike. As you enter this humble, low-lying building, you are greeted by a relaxed and down-home atmosphere inviting you to explore the wide variety of natural and local products. 

If you’ve been a regular customer of Sunflower, you’ve undoubtedly had the pleasure of getting to know the two proprietors—John and Pam. This husband-and-wife team has a lot of warmth and wisdom to share, albeit in different styles—Pam being more zestful; John, more zen. Their goal upon opening the store was to “create something truly wonderful.”  It is with this caring attitude, along with their health-minded products, and friendly, knowledgable service—not to mention a ton of great recipes—that they have indeed met this goal.

Sadly, Sunflower Natural Foods is coming to an end. John and Pam are ready to retire and embark on a new life chapter.  If you have not shopped there yet, there is still time before it closes its doors at the end of December.  Although the merchandise is depleted, their gracious spirit is not.  

We thank John and Pam for their excellent and earnest efforts for the past two decades. What more could a person or an entire village ask for?

We hail goodbye to Sunflower Natural Foods and will forever hold fond memories of John, Pam and their charming store.

Nancy Oakes

Waterbury