Our Story
1976 – A Mother’s Need to Look After Her Family
Jo Anne Fallaise, founder of Jo Anne’s Place Health Foods, began her journey of providing natural health products when she saw the need for such products for her own family. With encouragement from her entrepreneur father and the support of her husband Murray, Jo Anne Fallaise operated her first health store from her home in Lindsay. In a 500-square-foot space, Jo Anne began to educate her customers on the importance of healthy whole food, and the benefits of using natural cosmetics, while providing them with a selection of products to support a healthier lifestyle.
1985-1994 – Customer Demand Grows
As Jo Anne’s passion for spreading good health grew, so did her store. She eventually moved to a 1,000-square-foot space in another home to provide more products and services to her growing customer base. The need for a storefront became apparent, and in 1994 Jo Anne’s Place moved to 84 Russell St. West, Lindsay, where it can be found today. Today Jo Anne’s Place in Lindsay has over 2,500 square feet of retail and storage space to serve customers in the Kawartha Lakes and the surrounding area.
As the understanding of the benefits of living healthy increased, Jo Anne decided to expand to Peterborough. In 1985, the first store in Peterborough opened. This location moved to 904 Water St, where it has undergone several different expansions over the years – all focused on enhancing the customer experience.
1998-2003 – The Next Generation Takes The Lead
As Jo Anne’s vision of creating a healthy community expanded, her daughter Margo was by her side. With her mother’s guidance, Margo learned the ins and outs of running a business, became educated on nutraceuticals, followed the ever-changing wellness trends and experienced first-hand the benefits of a clean, healthy lifestyle. All of this helped Margo to prepare for the next change.
With the confidence that Margo and Paul were ready to take over the business, Jo Anne decided it was the right time to enjoy full-time retirement. Margo and Paul were committed to honouring Jo Anne’s vision of creating a healthy community by offering health-conscious product choices and natural foods.
Over the next six years, Margo and Paul worked hard to grow the business and connect with more customers. Based on customers’ comments and the expanding marketplace they realized there was now a need for a second Peterborough location.
2008 – A Second Peterborough Location
The Lansdowne Street location opened with 5,000 square feet of retail space and enabled Jo Anne’s Place to greatly expand its grocery, nutraceutical, and cosmetic selections. This new location became the hub for a head office, central warehouse, and distribution centre.
2018 – A Major Renovation Project
Ten years later, it was time to update the flagship location with a significant exterior and interior renovation. After 6 months of renovations (a big thank you to JoAnne’s Place customers for their patience), Jo Anne’s Place was pleased to introduce customers to the remodelled retail space which features a new Dispensary!
Today
We are so thankful to our community for their loyal support of our local family business. Today at Jo Anne’s Place, customers will find organic fruit and vegetables, quality frozen meat, gluten-free and local products, aromatherapy, homeopathy, and herbal products, a wide selection of supplements and vitamins, natural cosmetics and body care products, biodegradable cleaning and housekeeping products, pet-care products and so much more. As of 2021, we now offer our own private line of supplements and essential / carrier oils which you can find at all locations!
Our stores are staffed by professional product educators and holistic nutritionists who are available to support a customer’s unique wellness journey. From food sampling to product demonstrations, seminars, events, and a customer rewards program “JP Rewards” – there’s always something special happening at Jo Anne’s Place!
Our Values
Integrity / Inspiring / Excellence / Authenticity
Our Vision
Inspiring wellness on purpose, now and for future generations.
Our Mission
To be a champion for wellness in the communities we serve, from the distinctive quality of the products we select to our passion for caring for every relationship with which we are entrusted.
