This month for Boody’s Shop Local series we are featuring our long-time retailer, Pharmaca. Pharmaca is an integrative pharmacy with 29 locations across the United States, with a large focus on the western states. Their stores are beautifully designed with a focus on health & wellness.
We had the opportunity to chat with Pharmaca’s Senior Communications Manager, Tiffany, and Sarah who is Pharmaca’s Lifestyle Category Manager, about the Pharmaca brand and their relationship with Boody.
How & when did Pharmaca begin and how has it evolved/grown since then?
Tiffany: Pharmaca started in Boulder, Colo. in 2000 with the goal of creating a better kind of pharmacy experience. Over the last two decades, we’ve grown to 29 stores, mostly in western states, all based on a model of superior customer service and an expert wellness team—meaning the stores are staffed with practitioners like naturopaths, herbalists, nutritionists, etc., in addition to our pharmacists. So a customer can walk in any time and get professional guidance on everything we carry, from over-the-counter medicines to herbal remedies to homeopathic medicines. It’s a really unique experience!
In the past few years, we’ve also grown our online business substantially, pairing a similar product selection of natural and organic health, beauty and lifestyle items with a robust educational platform that allows us to showcase our practitioners’ expertise. In this way we’re able to help people outside of our store markets experience the Pharmaca model.
How important is healthy living, and environmental sustainability to your business?
Tiffany: The business was founded on the concept that healthy living and a healthy environment go hand-in-hand. We want to help our customers choose the healthiest choices for them and their families, from the vitamins they take to the types of cleaning products they use. That’s why we’ve focused on carefully curating a collection of products from companies (like Boody!) that offer clean, green, sustainable options for our customers. We’ve also always made sure our stores are outfitted with eco-friendly materials like bamboo flooring, carpet made from recycled material and energy-efficient lighting.
How would you suggest all of us make changes to live healthier and more eco-friendly lives?
TP: Choosing healthy products from companies focused on sustainability is key. We love that our so many of our brands are so transparent—so you can see where they get their ingredients and materials and make decisions accordingly. And as most of our practitioners would tell you, eat lots of veggies, get your exercise and supplement your diet with any nutrients you might be deficient in. Ultimately the goal is to prevent illness before it happens.
Pharmaca has been selling Boody since the beginning of 2015. Why did you choose to bring us in?
Sarah: It’s such a unique line, and we love that Boody is so focused on sustainable sourcing. So many of our customers are really active, so the Activewear line is ideal for them. It’s a perfect fit for the Pharmaca customer!
Here at Boody, we feel proud to supply our line to Pharmaca. What are your top sellers there? Do you have any top picks from the Boody range?
Sarah: The black bikini undies are a big seller. They’re obviously a great closet staple! My personal favorites are the tanks and long-sleeve t-shirts. They’re so soft and feel so good when you’re wearing them.
What are your plans for the future of Pharmaca? Anything exciting in the pipeline?
Tiffany: We’re continuing to explore new potential store locations and expand our pharmacy offerings. There’s always something new on the horizon.
What's your favorite part about Pharmaca?
Tiffany: I love the Pharmaca model and was a customer long before I started here. It’s so great to be able to go into the stores and talk to real experts and get their advice. And of course, the selection of natural products can’t be beat.
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By: Heather Bien We’re all trying to be better stewards of Mother Earth. From recycling to upcycling and eating conscientiously to dressing mindfully, our choices affect the planet. So choosing organic cotton clothing seems like an easy decision, right? Not so fast! As with all sustainable choices, it’s important to take a moment to learn a bit more about why organic cotton might win over conventional cotton—and what makes these two materials different in the first place. Read on if you’re interested in learning about organic cotton and whether it’s the best choice for you and the environment. Conventional cotton Before we get into debating modern cotton farming techniques, let’s get familiar with the plant we’re talking about: cotton. It’s soft, durable, and probably on your body right now. But what else do you really know about cotton? Here are the basics: Cotton comes from the cotton plant – The cotton plant is a warm-season woody perennial shrub from the genus Gossypium and the family Malvaceae. Cotton fabric is made from the plant’s fibrous seed-hair (which is also called a cotton boll). Cotton is one of the top agricultural crops – Traditional cotton is the most widespread and profitable non-food crop in the world. Although the plant is capable of growing in any warm-weather climate, India and China are now the top producers of cotton globally. Cotton is thirsty – A normal cotton plant requires 10 gallons of water to reach peak potential. That doesn’t sound so bad, but multiplying it outward, that means it takes about 5,000 gallons of water to produce just 2.2 pounds of cotton fabric. Pests think it’s delicious – Not only is cotton thirsty, but it’s prone to pest infestations from bollworms, weevils, aphids, stink bugs, thrips, and spider mites. In order to combat these common pests, conventional cotton is routinely sprayed with a veritable salad-dressing of pesticides, many of which can remain in the soil and water supply for years afterward. Cotton harvesting requires defoliation – In order to quickly and efficiently harvest cotton, many commercial growers use chemical defoliants to strip the leaves from the cotton plant prior to harvesting the bolls. Like pesticides, these chemicals remain in the environment and on the cotton itself. Is organic cotton better? All of those cotton factoids point pretty compellingly to buying and wearing organic cotton fabric. But first, it’s important to understand what sets this organic alternative apart. Why exactly is “organic” cotton anyway? You might associate the word organic with your healthy fruits and veggies, but it’s not always clear what this term means when it comes to cotton. For many years, there was not a standard definition, but today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) require that any cotton product labeled “organic” meet the following criteria: Made with fibers from USDA-certified organic crops Third-party certified (ie., through the Global Organic Textile Standard) under the National Organic Program standards Has a specific percentage of organic material (depending on the crop) But this definition is a little circular, so we need also to define USDA-certified organic crops. According to the USDA, organic crop standards are defined as follows: Land must have had no prohibited substances applied to it for at least three years before the harvest of an organic crop. Soil fertility and crop nutrients will be managed through tillage and cultivation practices, crop rotations, and cover crops. These can be supplemented with animal and crop waste materials and allowed synthetic materials. Crop pests, weeds, and diseases will be controlled primarily through management practices, including physical, mechanical, and biological controls. When these practices are not sufficient, a biological, botanical, or synthetic substance approved for use on the National List may be used. Operations must use organic seeds and other planting stock when available. The use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, and sewage sludge is prohibited. What is organic cotton? In short, it’s cotton that is farmed according to these practices and certified organic by the USDA. Why should you choose organic cotton? With fewer pesticides, fewer synthetic chemicals, and more thoughtful cultivation practices, organic cotton can certainly offer a more environmentally friendly choice when compared to regular cotton. Is organic cotton sustainable? Here are a few other reasons why organic cotton can be a better alternative for you and the earth: It’s better for our water resources – According to an analysis by the Textile Exchange, producing an organic cotton T-shirt requires 1,982 fewer gallons of water compared to a regular cotton T-shirt. Because organic cotton uses less chemicals, its production also releases fewer toxins into our aquatic ecosystems. It’s good for the soil (and our carbon footprint) – According to the Soil Association, the more natural cultivation practices and fewer pesticides used by organic cotton farmers can support healthier soil. That soil, in turn, can absorb more carbon from our atmosphere and help keep the planet healthy. It encourages biodiversity – Multiple studies have shown that organic farming practices can encourage more diversity among the animal species of our planet. Sustainability is sometimes in the eye of the beholder. But when it comes to plant-derived textiles, the ones which help us create a healthier world are always a better alternative. Explore the benefits of bamboo with Boody Whether you choose to purchase conventional or organic cotton clothing, the fact that you are shopping mindfully for yourself is a win for the environment. At Boody, we believe in bringing you quality, comfy, sustainable clothing basics that keep you feeling good about yourself and your personal impact on Mother Earth. From our sleepwear to our loungewear, women’s bamboo shirts to our underwear, sustainable and ethical are our touchstones. Our clothing is made of bamboo viscose, requiring less water than cotton while putting precious oxygen back into the environment. That just feels good, doesn’t it? Explore the bamboo benefits today, with Boody. Sources: Britannica. Cotton. https://www.britannica.com/topic/cotton-fibre-and-plant Cotton. The Story of Cotton - Where Cotton Grows. https://www.cotton.org/pubs/cottoncounts/story/where.cfm World Wildlife Federation. Cotton. https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/cotton Textile Exchange. Quick Guide to Organic Cotton. https://textileexchange.org/quick-guide-to-organic-cotton Soil Association. What is organic cotton? https://www.soilassociation.org/take-action/organic-living/fashion-textiles/organic-cotton/ USDA. Conservation and Biological Diversity in Organic Production. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2016/02/29/conservation-and-biological-diversity-organic-production About the Author: Heather Bien is a copywriter and writer based in Washington, DC. She works with retail, ecommerce, and creative brands on their website copy and digital presence, and her freelance writing has appeared on MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, and more. When she's not with laptop and coffee in hand, you'll find her planning her next weekend getaway, working on her budding green thumb, or scouting for her next great vintage find.
