East Meets West at Summit Health Shoppe

Tushar Patel and Dr. Fred Tapper believe they've found the perfect place to open a health shop: 363 Springfield Ave., the new home of Summit Health Shoppe.

"People in Summit are extremely healthy conscious," Tapper said. "They have an appetite for knowledge about healthy lifestyles and nutrition."

Summit Health Shoppe takes a customer-centric approach to doing business.

"Special orders are encouraged," said Tapper, and added that they'll do their best to keep the store stocked with items customers request.

Summit Health Shoppe carries a wide range of vitamins, antioxidants, supplements and more, with brands like Designer Whey, Yogi, and New Chapter. But they don't stop there; the Shoppe plans to host lectures and classes at the store to educate their customers on health, lifestyle and nutrition. The first lecture will take place on April 1 at 6 p.m., entitled "Lose Five to 10 Pounds This Spring," hosted by Tapper. Attendance is free but registration is required.

Tapper is the retired former medical director of St. Elizabeth Hospital in Elizabeth. He became interested in health food and supplements through his wife, when they first met. After just three months of living healthy and taking supplements, Tapper "felt one thousand times better" and was hooked.

"(Nutrition and dietary supplements is) an important field," Tapper said. "It's often overlooked and it needs attention."

His partner, Tushar "Tony" Patel, a native of India, has been in the retail business since 1988. He's owned a pharmaceutical company, Oracle Health Care Private, Ltd., for 13 years. Formerly living in Florida, Patel travelled all over New Jersey when he decided to relocate, and felt that Summit harkened back to an earlier, more wholesome time, and just "felt safe" here.

Tapper agrees.

"Summit is the premiere suburb of New York City," he said.

Summit Health Shoppe is family owned and family operated. Tapper's son Keith is the marketing director, and Patel's wife Parita is the print design and art director. Summit Health Shoppe will deliver orders starting in the summer, when Tapper's younger son graduates from high school.

It was only six weeks from the time Tapper and Patel decided to open a store in Summit until actually opening. The men and their families worked long hours to be able to open so quickly, but said they received plenty of support from the city of Summit. And although they've only been open since March 1, they have big plans; their goal is to expand all over the state, and they plan on doing so through great service.

"The keys to success are: smiles, good energy, knowledge, and employees who 'walk the walk'," Tapper said.