With over 30 years as the owner of both Virginia’s and Fairhope Health Foods, Lynnora Ash  is a leader in the health foods industry. But after overseeing three relocations with Virginia’s, withstanding the COVID pandemic and maintaining a strong presence in both the Mobile and Fairhope communities, Ash recently sold Virginia’s Health Foods and Sunflower Café II.

Both Virginia’s and Fairhope Health Foods provide unparalleled service, knowledgeable employees, whole foods, pet health, natural supplements, cosmetics and more.

With 45 years of investing in healthy living and education, Ash points back to when her mother gave her the herbal medicine book, Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss. After reading the book, she decided to start treating her family’s minor ailments with herbs and whole foods. After lots of ‘trial and success’, she went on to shape her businesses to offer long-lasting and contemporary herbal remedies with an emphasis on quality and customer service.

Ash has maintained a standard of operating the stores with an emphasis on education by providing her staff with ongoing training. Ash says, “I have seen so many personal successes of longevity and pain-free living and I’m humbled to have gained the trust of so many customers by sharing my health and wellness philosophies during the last 49 years of serving the community in nutrition, health and wellness.”

Located alongside the health food store, Ash opened Sunflower Café in Fairhope in 2003 and the Mobile Sunflower Café in 2007. Both continue to provide quality meals. Open seven days a week, the cafés welcome customers old and new and are pleased to share daily specials and a delightful Sunday brunch menu. Regarding the Fairhope Sunflower café, she says, “Come join us at the healthiest place to eat on the Eastern Shore!”