New owner of Health Plus to continue store's tradition

PERKINS TWP. — After years of being an employee at a local health store, Gemma Shimpeno is running the show.Shimpeno started to work for Tom Jenkins at Health Plus, on Hull Road near the Great Wolf Lodge, more than two years ago."We moved here about six years ago and I saw Tom was hiring one day," Shimpeno said. "I came in, interviewed and just fell in love with the store."Jenkins owned the business for almost 25 years when he was diagnosed with cancer and decided to sell it. He died in July and Shimpeno took over ownership at the beginning of August."Tom was a pillar in the community. He went to Sandusky and Perkins and I think he still carries some basketball records there," Shimpeno said. "He purchased Health Plus and really built up this unique business … He was a great employer and genuinely just a really kind and generous man."The store specializes in health supplements and food for particular dietary needs including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free.Under Jenkins, the health store encouraged local entrepreneurs by stocking product made by local businesses. A facet of the business Shimpeno wants to continue.She plans to make subtle changes like minor renovations to reopen the cafe, which was once in the store, and allow for an area to educate people on health needs. The store also began to do home delivers when asked by a client and hopes to get a website up and running.Shimpeno also wants to start to brew her own kombucha, a tea which is high in antioxidants, but for the most part, she wants to continue the legacy of customer service fostered by Jenkins."One of our priorities is to continue Tom's legacy and the excellent service he provided to the community," Shimpeno said. "Our employees are extremely knowledgeable, but if we don't know an answer, we will work to find it for a customer."Reach reporter Michael Harrington at michaelharrington@sanduskyregister.com, follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterHealth Plus in Perkins Township near the Great Wolf Lodge