Pilgrim's named Retailer of the Year

Pilgrim's Market in Coeur d'Alene was named Retailer of the Year in the category of Innovation at last week's Natural Foods Expo East. The expo, held in Baltimore, is one of the nation's largest natural food industry trade events.

Pilgrim's was selected for the award from a pool of 19,059 other national independent and chain natural food stores.

Pilgrim's impressed the judges with its innovative approach to tapping into medical knowledge and its full-service, integrative clinic located inside the market.

"We work synergistically," said Pilgrim's owner Joe Hamilton. "Customers are served in a way unlike any other market or clinic, individually. At times customers need attention beyond the scope of a store clerk, and patients have many of the foods and resources nearby to make diet changes much easier."

The store's health education center - offering lectures, community education initiatives and expert speakers - was another innovation that impressed the judges.

Hamilton opened Pilgrim's in Coeur d'Alene in 1999, and since then, the store has undergone several expansions, growing from 1,200 to 24,000 square feet.

The market is located at 1316 N. Fourth Street.

Info: www.pilgrimsmarket.com