Vitathena Wellness

Fantastic experience: The amount of research Erika has done, her knowledge, and the information provided to me in my wellness assessment, has been helpful for me to start making changes to my diet and supplements in order to feel better. After my initial visit with Erika to review her recommendations, I have the motivation and a plan for making these changes. I look forward to working with Erika to help me in this process as I learn more about what works for me.

Fantastic experience: I have worked with Erika Dworkin for my issues with digestion and issues with lactobacilli and generalized malaise. Had issues with pain, indigestion, diarrhea, nausea and generally feeling poorly. I work with my Doctor and with Erika. I prefer a more natural approach to my issues. Erika worked very well with my doctor and me. Erika took the time to speak with me and work with me and my issues, she looked at my labs, my diagnosis, and my symptoms and helped to come up with a plan of diet, nutritional supplements that worked for all of my issues. I had several meetings to hone the plan. She spent a lot of time to research the best options and then explained it all to ma. If you need guidance with any health issues, living healthfully, and with prevention, Erika is the person to go to. She will take her time, listen to you and your desires and will come up with a detailed plan on how to achieve it.

Fantastic experience: I highly recommend Erika to anyone looking to improve their quality of life and overall wellness, and especially to those who may be struggling with an acute or chronic health condition. Erika is a researcher at her core and she is dedicated to providing holistic customized recommendations for you as an individual – not just what has worked for others. Erika will support you through your health transformation with a combination of personal guidance, supplements, diet and lifestyle changes to ensure a positive outcome.

Fantastic experience: Great customer service! Erika really cares about helping people optimize their health. Very knowledgeable and sincere.

Fantastic experience: Highly recommend Erika for anyone looking to make positive, sustainable change in their health. She has been a support for my family many times over the years. Going above and beyond !!!

Fantastic experience: Great service, expertise in holistic remedies, and supplements that helped me to manage menopause symptoms. I highly recommend Erika and Vitathena Wellness!

Fantastic experience: Thank you for calling me, Erika. I was having PT and couldn't get to my phone. I appreciate the information you gave me on the homeopathic pain remedy. It sounds like a good match for me, and I will place the order in two weeks. Thank you for your friendship over the years, for your spiritual counseling (including grief of great losses), diagnosis of my ailments, and solutions for healing them. You are a Gem filled with compassion wrapped in a fine intellect. God bless you, Erika. Brinda

Fantastic experience: Erika, your positive energy is contagious and you're an amazing listener. Thank you for making me feel so comfortable sharing personal information with you!

Fantastic experience: I had an outstanding experience working with Erika. I had recently felt ill and contacted Erika to discuss my symptoms. She had made recommendation for some supplements.I felt her knowledge and expertise was second to none. Within a day I received my order and two days later I felt 100%. Erika had followed up to check on my progress and therefore realized how much she cared. I couldn’t be happier with the recommendations and her outstanding customer service. I highly recommend working with Erika.

Fantastic experience: Erika knows her stuff!! I reached out to Erika when I wasn't feeling well and she guided me in the right direction of vitamins and supplements I was feeling in tip top shape with in a couple of days. Thank you for getting me on the right track. Your health is the most important and she knows how to help your body get balanced

Fantastic experience: Erika is so knowledgeable about holistic nutrition. I had a relatively simple problem that she recognized quickly. Her supplement recommendations solved my sleep problem. I highly recommend her services - for the simple to the very complex.

Fantastic experience: Erika went through a thorough review of my health to help me decide the best path for extreme jetlag which is important because I travel internationally multiple times a year. She is caring, knowledgeable, and professional.

Fantastic experience: Erika has so much valuable insight and knowledge about health and supplements. I've attended a workshop where Erika shared all about menopause and hormones and how I can navigate them. I've also attended a retreat where she taught about the natural remedies that help with common ailments and diseases. Because she is Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition®, she knows MORE than any MD may claim to because MDs are not trained in nutrition at all. If you're looking for specific health guidance and support, you've come to the right place! Call Erika!

Fantastic experience: Before I met Erika I had no idea the effects of menopause on a woman’s health. I wish I had met her years ago! Menopause has impacted my thyroid, cholesterol levels and my energy levels. I am so grateful for her help. Since working with her my energy levels have increased and my body is feeling better and better. If you are a woman going through menopause I highly recommend you work with Erika and start feeling better now.

Fantastic experience: Erika is phenomenal! She helped me tremendously! She is so knowledgeable ! She guided me through a life changing experience! I will be forever grateful !

Fantastic experience: I was having a problem with cholesterol and did not want to use Statins and I am so grateful that the practitioner suggested Cholestene and the cardiologist was very impressed with my results.

Fantastic experience: Great experience. Any woman that wants to live a healthy life and go thru menopause must follow Erika expert advice

Fantastic experience: My experience with Vitathena Wellness is following the nutritional program and you will receive results which are very positive to improve your health and energy. The business has been around for over 65 years which was the former PARKADE HEALTH SHOPPE in Manchester, CT. The results I found is staying on the program that is given to get the results of better health. I am a customer for over 45 years. My results is I am in excellent health on NO Medication.. I have referred over hundreds of patients, people from many states that indicated Vitathena Wellness is the best . Call Vitathena Wellness, there are many oils for healing and vitamins that will put you on the right path to a longer life. THE KEY TO YOUR HEALTH IS FOLLOWING THE GUIDANCE AND WATCH YOUR RESULTS.

Negative experience: This is not a store. The picture posted is not at this address. I suggest the owner update

Fantastic experience: I have been under the care of Erika Dworkin as it pertains to preventing both high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes for three years. I had not had blood work done recently and my doctor asked me to get a blood draw so that could get a reset on the baseline. The results, all blood tests were within accetable ranges, including cholesterol and blood sugar. These results were the best blood test results I've had in over 30 years. To say that I'm impressed would be an understatement! Erika's ability to create regiments tailored to the person is spot on and my Doctor fully agreed with all she recommended. THANK YOU SO MUCH Erika!

Negative experience: No longer the store. A wellness center in a home in a suburban neighborhood.

Fantastic experience: Erika is extremely knowledgeable. She shares information that is targeted to your health needs and concerns. She makes complicated information easy to understand and implement. I feel so much better having worked with Erika.

Fantastic experience: UPDATE Feb. 16, 2022. The health food store is now closed but it’s my understanding that the owner is assisting clients/customers on an 1 in 1 basis. I ❤️ this local shop; it feels like a close knit community. Often times when I’m there I can’t help but notice people chatting and communing one with another, not to mention that it seems like Erica & Kyle knows the name of mostly everyone who enters Additionally, they are genuinely welcoming, friendly and have a high quality products at reasonable prices. I’m sure Erica’s dad would be so proud ❤️

Fantastic experience: I always enjoy visiting at any time of the day. I have always found the employees friendly and personable. If ever I had a nutrition or supplement question, it is always answered in an extremely professional and knowledgeable manner. Thank you for providing a valuable service to the community.

Fantastic experience: The staff are knowledgeable and very helpful with finding products. They have made great recommendations and have truly helped me feel better! Thank you to the staff at the Manchester Parkade Health Shop!

Fantastic experience: My family have been loyal customers since we moved into the area 15+yrs ago. Manchester Parkade Health Shoppe has the widest selection or vitamins and health supplies in the county... Thank you Erika and your team for being so consumer focus and knowledgeable. You guys make healthy easy...

Negative experience: I agree with the other reviews on Erica’s overall demeanor. She mocked me under her breath about a product I was using. And regardless of how knowledgeable she is, her personality comes across very rude and demeaning . I was very uncomfortable talking to her and will not go back again!!

Fantastic experience: I've been shopping at this health shop for years. They always have what I'm looking for and there's always someone available to answer my questions and/or help me locate a product.

Negative experience: Tall blonde with a nasty attitude, nasty tone, nasty demeanor. Other employees are amazing. Low rating bc the tall blonde can really turn customers off.

Negative experience: I am completely in disbelief how I was treated by the owner Erica she was catering to an “ obvious” friend based on their exchange of numbers, I waited patiently as they had one person at register and owner was on the floor the owner was oblivious to other shoppers and focused on her friend. When I asked her to check their stock on an item she told me she knew her inventory and asked me if I wanted to order it I said I could order it and make a trip back there or the distributor in danielson could ship to my home? She said Daniel don is just one of our distributors I don’t know what you are asking me I paid for my water I had opened and my chips used my money coupons on my account and WIL NEVER SET FOOT IN THIS STORE AGAIN she already upset my daughter a few years ago by her comments now I know why friends have told me to never go there

Fantastic experience: Owner Erika Dworkin is Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition® and uses her knowledge and listening skills to match the best products to our needs and budget. We were seeking some environmentally friendly solutions to keeping our shared coworking space clean and safe and Erika provided an array of suggestions and helped us prioritize the best options. The store itself has a great atmosphere and the staff is always friendly and helpful.

Fantastic experience: I love this health store. My family and I buy their wonderful vitamins and many of their organic fresh fruits and veggies very frequently. I recommend this amazing health store to my family, clients and friends,l. They all love it. I love Erica, I appreciated how much she helped my daughter through her complicated pregnancy with her nutrition knowledge and more. Their stuff are wonderful, always so helpful and friendly. I visit them a few times a week. I just got some fresh organic broccoli. It was so delicious and they stay bright green after I steamed. I never have a broccoli that taste so good. I also love their dried fruits - their mango is one of my favorites You can only find it at this health store. Try ...it you will be very pleased. ❤️

Negative experience: Not the same level of customer service. I used to shop here a few years back and was always greeted with a big smile and the staff were always very friendly and eager to help. I recently shopped there and Erika made me feel very uncomfortable. I couldn’t shake the feeling, so much so that I had to write a review about it. I felt very rushed with her help and mind you not that many people were in the store, like maybe two others , no friendliness, I can tell she wanted to be done with me and send me on my way. Not the first time either!

Negative experience: Racist and uncomfortable environment. When my mom and I first moved to Manchester we visited this place. The cashier criticized my mom for her English, even told her she’d “gladly teach her” it is no ones places to make anyone feel belittled like that.

Fantastic experience: I have the opportunity to meet with Erika and she is truly there for the health and well being of you, that is why they have so much to offer. Take the opportunity to check out her shop.

Fantastic experience: Very knowledgeable staff. Excellent products and quality. I have known and trusted this shop for 30 years. A trusted source of information and products trusted by herbalists and lay people alike

Negative experience: This place used to be amazing. The orginal owners took time to understand customer needs. When asked a question they had an answer followed with multiple options. Truly amazing people who saw customers as people. NOW this is environment run by their daughter, is incredibly rude, racist, sparsely stocked with uneducated basic staff. It's embarrassing to say I was once a customer. This is not a review after a one time visit this is multiple tries of walking in and leaving with disgust. I found a place in Bloomfield who thus far have proven to be exactly with customer service is about. I highly suggest researching and finding another store. This is not it.

Fantastic experience: I receive excellent information about items I am interested in and the people are both professional and friendly. A very positive atmosphere, a very positive experience.

Negative experience: I agree with what another reviewer said; I felt totally uncomfortable in this store. I was the only patron in here and was followed by an employee everywhere I went. Add to that - the imposing security scanners at both the entrance and exit (reminded me of the TSA or Courthouse) and you have UNWELCOME and BEWARE written all over your visit. If this is supposed to be a welcoming, holistic, caring store, why all the paranoia? I used to go here in the early '80s and it was never like this. You actually felt like shopping here, then. Not anymore. Not returning.

Fantastic experience: I have been a customer for many years. I always get good advice, good products and excellent service. P. M. Grenier

Negative experience: I recently visited this location and they did not make me feel like they wanted to help me. I was followed by two of the workers and the customer service was lacking all in all I will never return to this store.

Fantastic experience: Great customer service and knowledgeable staff.

Fantastic experience: The Manchester Parkade Health Shoppe is staffed with friendly, extremely knowledgeable people, who are eager to help in any way possible. The products are high quality, and affordably priced. I highly recommend this establishment!

Fantastic experience: Very helpful staff! Took the time to explain my questions about products! You don't find that to much anymore.

Fantastic experience: I have shopped here for three years. The store is clean, organized and the staff have gone beyond the call of duty in helping me find the right product.Well worth it to shop here. Thanks to all the staff!

Positive experience: While we were repeatedly asked if we needed help, when checking out we were not asked if we would like to use the $3.00 off a purchase of $60 or over coupon that was pushed to the far end of the register area, even though we are members. I hadn't been paying attention and asked, "Did we get the $3.00 off?" I was told, no you didn't use the coupon. Not good business practice.

Fantastic experience: I love coming here ! I get all my supplements here! The staff are always so helpful & knowledgeable ! The prices are reasonable . Erika helped me with some great suggestions for things to help with my migraines! They have a loyalty program which is great ! I always recommend family & friends to come here for their needs versus going to the big box stores for their dietary/supplement needs! They have some great gluten free options also ! I discovered Lucy’s cookies here cuz they had samples out! Been coming here actually for over 25 years! Tell them I sent you !

Fantastic experience: Very helpful, friendly staff, without being pushy at all. I always feel welcomed when I come in. Great, high quality products I trust. Love that they'll be carrying organic produce soon!

Fantastic experience: If not for the caring help from both Michael Dworkin and his daughter, Erika Dworkin of the Manchester Parade Health Shoppe, I would not be experiencing the excellent health I enjoy today. After being severely exposed to mold, my entire respiratory system became greatly compromised along with fatigue and sinus issues. After three visits to a lung doctor in a span of a few months, my condition did not improve. Each visit the doctor would check my breathing and prescribe a different antibiotic. While speaking with Erika Dworkin and explaining my health issues, she suggested my immune system was severely compromised. She suggested taking probiotics, oregano (natural antibiotic) and colital silver. She further explained the many antibiotics created yeast in my gut. We determined I now had the “leaky gut” syndrome and candidas. What did this mean? Mr. Dworkin suggested a change of diet for one year, different eating habits and taking a natural supplement for the candida (yeast in the gut) and to continue with probiotics. We further discussed the steroids from the asthma inhaler I used twice a day was also creating yeast in the gut. We replaced the inhaler with simple supplement, Quercetin, and Vitamin C twice a day. For me this was a miracle since I had been using the inhaler most of my adult life. Stopping the inhaler alone reduced the amount of yeast my body was producing. In addition, my breathing greatly improved! What I learned from this experience is doctors do not know it all. Without the caring help from both Erika and her father, a new world of health has opened up for me. Unfortunately, Michael Dworkin is now deceased and his daughter, Erika, a licensed nutritionist, continues her father’s legacy.

Fantastic experience: Always helpful. Reasonably priced.

Fantastic experience: It's hard to find a health store that offers the variety of products and brands that the Parkade Health Shoppe does. For the towns surrounding Manchester, this is the place with the best selection. The information that they supply in printed format can be very educational to customers as well. I hope to see the store expand in the future.

Positive experience: No pressure but helpful staff, not a chain store, really care.

Fantastic experience: Great place for probiotics and other healthy products. The staff here is always friendly and will be very informative if you ask about a product.

Positive experience: A lot of stuff is wildly over priced but the employees are sweet and helpful and it's always nice to see what's new in the world of self-healing. Also they have great vitamin gummies.

Negative experience: Aren't they in business to make sales? I could not tell on my visit today. I almost wonder if they only cater to a certain demographic. I asked the store next door and they said that they are like that sometimes, but the owner or manager, can't remember which it was, is very nice. It makes me very apprehensive to go back and spend my hard earned money on their merchandise.

Positive experience: Great selection, especially for the Manchester area. My only complaint is the staff is wishy washy. Sometimes they are great, friendly, helps, and other times a little nasty. Every SINGLE time I go there I'm followed like I'm going to steal something. Calm down, I'm in my 30's, have a salary job, and pay for my items. I do like the membership points system, it gives me incentive to shop there

Fantastic experience: I wasn't as healthy as I'd like to be and sought out Dr. Dworkin's help. The quality of his help was excellent and I was immediately put on an intensive regime/diet after what was in my opinion a very thorough look through at my health profile that fell shy of outside testing--like blood work, saliva analysis and the sort. As thorough as possible without that testing. He looks at your most recent blood work profiles if you have them. He was very thorough explaining the how's and whys things happen to your body, which I really appreciate and never really had before. You won't find his level of attention in any doctors office; he does this because he likes to help people and you can tell! I do like to buy some of my health food there (love the seaweed chips and Joanna's Kale Pesto stuff) and in my experience, Erika has always been very attentive, helpful, and she listens when I'm being a whiney baby about my diet and helps me come up with great ideas to keep going. She's very encouraging and I'm very grateful for her and her father (Dr. Dworkin)! Just supportive, helpful, a lovely small business. I was shocked to see any review less than one star. Staff tries to help when they can and engage you usually as you walk in but don't harass you, which I like. It's not overbearing. Erika, when suggesting, suggests things that she doesn't sell as well for ideas to keep going on your way to try to be healthy, which to me says she's actually trying to help and not necessarily out to make a sale... Like different ways to try eating this dish or that dish. I could shop elsewhere, but I like this shop. And some of the items there, believe it or not, are cheaper than Price Chopper! That soy milk, um yes! Overall, it's honestly one of my favorite stores, if not my favorite! Thanks Erika and staff!

Negative experience: I entered the store hoping to find Kali Bichromicum for an ill friend with a cold. Having limited knowledge of homeopathic remedies and having never been in this store, I immediately sought out an employee to direct me to the area in which they sell Kali Bichromicum. I approached a woman behind the register. I said hello. Without greeting me , She asked, " do you need help? ". Now, clearly I approached her for a reason , but it wasn't for a split second psychological diagnosis of whether or not I needed help, especially from someone behind a register in a lab coat. I found her slithering question rude, and a perfect example of sophomoric sarcasm. Well done! I promptly answered saying I was looking for homeopathic remedies, Kali Bichromicum to be exact. She brought me to correct isle. I then asked her the difference between 6c potency and 30c potency. Her answer was, "It's complicated". Immediately upon hearing her answer, another employee in a lab coat began laughing and offered no answer either. As I stood there surprised by their lack of teamwork, she finally said that 6c is meant mainly for children and 30c is more for adults. I suppose it pays to be rude to those in your community when the potency of your customer service is highly diluted. Thanks,Parkade Health Shoppe, for not giving a rat's rump about your products or your customers. You are well received!