Now Open: New Family Naturals

Toya Tanis and her business, New Family Naturals, finally have a place to call home.

Tanis had been selling her homemade kale chips at area farmers markets, including the at for a while when she began mulling the idea of a retail shop. She asked other vendors for advice, studied business plans and operations and figured out what she would need to turn a vision into a reality.

Tanis and her husband, Engin, opened their small shop at Lake Anne Plaza last week.

The kale chips are there, of course, as are freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices, locally made granolas and soaps and locally sourced eggs.

"We are building the inventory," says Toya Tanis. "People are excited."

The couple put out the word of their new business venture a few months ago when they went on a  fundraising campaign through Indiegogo.com were able to raise $2,000 in donations  - some from friends, some from total strangers, Tanis said.

The money was short of their goal of $6,000, but it still will help with startup costs, including inventory and equipment, she said.

Tanis says she became interested in the health food business due to her own search for healthy options. She wants to carry organic, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free specialties as well as help the local economy.

The market carries Annette's Amazing Granola (Vienna), as well as coffee roasted at Caffe Ammouri (Vienna) and herbal cosmetics made in Rockville. Tanis said she is interested in working with local vendors to carry more products.

New Family Naturals is located at 11414 Washington Plaza W at Lake Anne Plaza. It is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It is closed on Monday. Visit them on Twitter (@NewFamNaturals), on Facebook (NewFamilyNaturals) or on their website.