Going Au Naturel

Tucked between and the is the Tarrytown's newest hidden treasure. Proprietor Anna Cangiano is eager to initiate you into her room of healthy living called Au Naturel.

Cangiano’s interest in the pure products she sells (following a trinity of no GMOs, all natural, and organic) started with her own allergy to the sulfates in soaps and shampoos. That stuff that makes your hair and skin so sudsy, gives her a rash and discomfort.

Cangiano, from Brooklyn, where she lived until she moved to Tarrytown eight years ago, would buy natural products in the city before taking the train home to here. But then one day she found herself without product and figured she should go online and buy in bulk. This opened up a whole world of research about the industry, the companies, and all those unnecessary, unpronounceable ingredients. 

With a background in interior design and financial consulting for small businesses (which she still does), the more Cangiano learned the more she thought she should open her own business.

Thus, with its first day last Saturday and its grand opening this Saturday, Au Naturel was born.

The shelves are stocked, but not overly, with carefully curated items. Cangiano has investigated each product extensively. There are wheat grass shake packets, pancake mixes, raw vitamin supplements, natural make-up. Sugar substitute Xylitol. Just Great Stuff gluten-free bars. Life Stinks powder deodorant.

“We put these things all over our bodies, and take for granted, like it’s going to be like the commercial,” she said. “If I can’t figure out what it is and where it comes from, I don’t want it.”

Leading up to her new venture, Cangiano’s been busy and grabbing food-on-the-go which for most people means McDonald’s and pushing toward heart disease, but for her it meant the nutrient-packed power bars and shakes the store carries. “I feel better than ever,” Cangiano, 45, said.

She could have opened an online business and been “like tons of internet businesses that do the same thing,” but she wanted a storefront and the space for education she could provide here.

In my visit, Cangiano introduced me to a Nuvia coffee substitute, explained why this particular wheat grass (cultivated for hundreds of days) is better than the stuff you buy that’s grown for just over a week, why food that is cold-processed is “the way to go," and why sugar puts you into a stupor.

You could go to Whole Foods, of course, for many such products, but “it’s too overwhelming," Cangiano said. "It’s so big you need rollerskates. I grew up in Brooklyn: if you wanted bread you go to the bakery, if you want meat you go to the butcher.”

She may not sell bread or meat, but Cangiano does hope to expand her inventory as she goes and offer nut butters, kale chips, dried fruits and other treats. The beauty products are mostly in a back area which will also in the near future be the place to meet with a holistic nutritionist by appointment.

“It’s funny we have a fear of using natural products but you’ll go to the doctor and do anything,” Cangiano said.

During the store's Grand Opening from 11 a.m. onward on Saturday, Sept. 15, Cangiano will have other experts on hand, namely a few select vendors, as well as free samples to take home and a raffle to win a basket of goodies.

Hours (subject to change) are daily, from 10 a.m. to at least 7 p.m. 7 North Broadway. Contact (914)631-2350 or info@aunaturelinc.com for more information.

Like us on Facebook  |  Follow us on Twitter  |  Sign up for our newsletter