Republic health shop changes ownership, location

A Republic business that started as a healthy drink shop has expanded its products alongside a name, ownership and location change within the past few months.

Jan. 9 was the grand opening for the new location of Rise Apothecary LLC at 315 U.S. Highway 60 East, Ste. D, said owners Alex and Michal Antonuk. Alex Antonuk said he and his wife became owners of the business on Oct. 1, having purchased the venture – previously named Rise Nutrition – for an undisclosed price from a trio of sisters, Shelby Cotter, Brittany Davajon and Ashlie Will. The sisters launched the shop, previously at 1652 U.S. Highway 60 East in the Town East Center, in January 2022, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.

Antonuk said he and his wife were vendors at Rise Nutrition, selling natural hand soaps through their home-based business, Four Ladies & Co. LLC. When they learned that the sisters were planning to sell their business, the couple’s interest was piqued.

“We already do soaps,” he said. “We want to introduce new products, and we love the idea of the apothecary side, so why don’t we consider buying it?”

That led to a quick offer from the couple, which Antonuk said the sisters agreed to immediately.

“The change for the name is they were more focused on the nutrition side, such as their healthy energy drinks, their healthy protein shakes, but we wanted to expand that and grow on the apothecary side,” he said, noting the shop now has refill stations where customers can bring in containers, or purchase one from the shop, for products such as laundry detergents, soaps and shampoos.

Rise Apothecary also now offers products for body care, child wellness, hair care and wellness, such as herbal supplements. It also continues to sell healthy energy drinks and protein shakes.

Startup costs for the new location were roughly $40,000, Antonuk said, declining to disclose the five-year lease rate with landlord Victor Paulik. The 1,200-square-foot shop is in a newer retail strip center that also includes a Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Antonuk said.

While the Republic couple expects there will be a need to hire new employees this year, the shop is currently staffed by the Antonuks, with help from their four daughters, who range in age from 11-14.

Michal said they were feeling a bit nervous but excited heading into their grand opening, which extended into Jan. 10.

“The turnout that we had for Friday and Saturday was really just refreshing to see how excited so many people were about the refillery, and just what we were bringing to the community,” she said. “So, it kind of helped ease some of the unknowns for us to see and hear the excitement of what we’re doing.”