Health store opens in Belfair Towne Village in Bluffton

A West Virginia-based franchise has opened its first health store in South Carolina.

Health Smart, which opened in Belfair Towne Village in Bluffton last month, offers speciality health food, vitamins, supplements, natural beauty products, organic pet options and essential oils. Co-owner Charlotte Ison said this is Health Smart's first store in South Carolina, but the franchise has several locations in West Virginia.

"We decided on Bluffton because of the population growth and the space available," Ison said. She added that she has been a part-time resident of the Lowcountry for six years.

She said the company does research and has a "very reputable distributor" to ensure its products are organic.

Health Smart is opening a location in West Ashley in Charleston by mid- to late March, Ison said, and they are hoping to open a Hilton Head Island location before long.

Details: 843-815-5525

This story was originally published February 26, 2015 at 8:09 PM with the headline "Health store opens in Belfair Towne Village in Bluffton."