The Wellness Store Fuses With Wilson's Of Wickford

If you were in Wickford Village this weekend, you might be wondering what happened to The Wellness Store. Not to worry, it’s still there...but just not where you’d expect it to be.

Starting this weekend, The Wellness Store has moved into its new home at .

“We’ve been really trying to think of ways to recreate ourselves in these difficult times,” said The Wellness Store owner Theresia Kelly. “I think this is a great way to do it.”

Up until last week, The Wellness Store was located at 7 Main St. – a "temporary" home for the store until Kelly found the "ideal" home for her boutique and day spa.  Theresia, along with her husband Steve, began looking for a new home for their shop, striving to stay within Wickford Village. For them, there was only one option they’d consider: moving into Wilson’s of Wickford.

“I wouldn’thave approached anyone else that I know of,” said Steve. “The Wilsons are second to none.”

When Kelly proposed the idea to co-owner Jim Wilson, he had only one thing to say.

“I’m intrigued.”

According to both the Kellys and Wilsons, it was a “no brainer” and the move happened rather quickly. Within a matter of weeks, Kelly was setting up merchandise in the back corner of Wilson’s, overlooking Wickford Harbor.

“We want to make a more interesting shopping environment for our customers,” said Jim Wilson.

Now, that shopping environment will include organic skin care and cosmetics, health supplements and a full day spa with facials and massages. This type of fusion between two storefronts has become a growing trend, said co-owner Craig Wilson.

“It’s really growing and is sort of bringing back the old department store environment,” said Wilson.

Aside from the change in location, Kelly says the only main difference will be the store’s hours, which will now most likely be longer to sync with Wilson’s hours.

Though Wilson’s has been a staple in Wickford since 1944, The Wellness Store only came to the Ocean State in 2002. The Kellys originally opened the store in 1999 in Missoula, Montana a year after Theresia was diagnosed with lupus. Following her diagnosis, Theresia began researching and found that an alarming number of women were being diagnosed with autoimmune diseases. Through her research, Theresisa determined that the toxins and chemicals in beauty products were an integral part of that equation.

Theresia then made the switch to organic cosmetics and beauty products and saw dramatic results. Wanting to share her knowledge and experience to others suffering from autoimmune disorders, Theresia opened The Wellness Store in Missoula before moving to Wickford in 2002.

“I wanted to create a place where women could come in and know exactly what they’re using and know it’s safe,” said Theresia. “We’ve held to that mission faithfully.”