Business : Healthy Hangout: New business offers healthy items, weight loss support team

Wendy Netolicky hopes her new business will allow her to share her personal success with local residents.

She and co-owners, including her husband, Grant, and Eric and Shelley Jacobus,have rented the building just south of Tootsie's Ice Cream & More for a new business called Healthy Hangout Nutrition Club.

The business is located on Highway 218, just south of Tootsie's Ice Cream, where Netolicky and Jacobus offer the Herbalife line of protein shakes, teas and other items. The products can also be purchased for home use.

Netolicky says adding Herbalife products to her diet has helped her to lose weight; photos on display at the business are milestones of her success.

But Netolicky sees her business as more than a store, or even a cafe. She hopes it will become a place for people to meet, for children to come after school.

She is beginning a holiday weight loss program, and many have already begun signing up.

"We are doing a weight loss challenge right after Thanksgiving," she says "We will be signing people up for the weight loss challenge Monday and Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It will end three weeks later."

Business is off to a good start, says Netolicky, with many people losing weight, and even high school students frequently stopping for protein shakes.

The business plans to participate in the Holiday Open House event this Sunday afternoon.

"We are hoping some of you will stop out and join us at The Healthy Hangout on Sunday and check out some samples of our smoothies, tea and aloe. We would love to get the chance to meet you and learn how we can become involved in the community. We are next to Tootsies and will be here from noon to four on Sunday," says Netolicky.

Netolicky used to run a similar store in Iowa City. She saw the Vinton building (owned by Tootsie's owner Craig Siebert) on Craig's List and found it to be a perfect fit. She also has a sister who lives in Vinton.

"Corey has been a big help," she said.

Netolicky and Jacobus spent a few months remodeling the business before opening earlier this month.

The Healthy Hangout is one of several new business changes taking place in Vinton. Jolly's Pizzeria recently moved to the former Cheesehead Cheese Haus (which is now sharing space with The Hope Chest antique shop). And across the street from there, Alicia Morin has opened a Tae Kwon Do and Latin dance class.

Vinton Unlimited Director Nathan Hesson said the new businesses and locations are great news for the community.

"I'm very excited we have this fantastic movement in Vinton’s economic development! It is always exciting to welcome new businesses to the Vinton community and the addition of these businesses continues to not only build on tradition (Jolly’s) but increases the opportunities for Vinton residents and visitors to have a fun place to get together. We are always looking for new business ideas and encourage people to explore the possibilities of starting a business in Vinton. It’s not only a great place to call home…it’s also a great place to build a life."