Since its founding in 1924 by Dr. Konstanty Kalkosinski, Penn Herb Company (Philadelphia, PA) continues to provide customers with herbs, remedies and herbal formulations developed during Kalkosinski’s naturopathic medicine practice. This year, the company celebrates 100 years in business.
As the business grew between the 1920s and 1930s, additional formulations were added. By 1939 the business expanded to a point a new building was needed. In December 1940, Penn Herb moved to 603 North Second Street in Philadelphia, where the “Nature’s Wonderland” flagship store remains.
“Over the years, we have endeavored to keep customers informed about new discoveries and the latest information about herbs and natural remedies,” Penn Herb said.
In 1962, due to advancing age, Kalkosinski needed help to run his business and organize the hundreds of herbs and formulas. In July of that year, the company was acquired by William Betz Sr. and his wife Jane Betz.
In the 1970s, the company experienced continued growth and became incorporated in 1971. Starting in 1975, Penn Herb became the exclusive United States importer for Olbas Herbal Remedies from Switzerland.
“We have been offering these fine remedies in our store since the 1960s and are proud to continue making this fine line available nationwide through thousands of retailers,” Penn Herb said.
In the 1990s, Penn Herb developed one of the first websites to offer a complete line of herbs and natural remedies. To meet the ever-increasing consumer and business demands, a new facility in northeast Philadelphia opened in 1995 called the “Factory Store.” In 2000, Nature’s Wonderland was renovated.
“The offices, order-taking and customer service departments were greatly expanded,” Penn Herb said. “Modern herb processing facilities were installed with the latest cutting, packaging, bottling and encapsulation equipment.”
Penn Herb grew from two employees in 1962 to more than 35 in 2012, requiring another expansion in August of that year. To improve the neighborhood and give customers an improved shopping experience, Nature’s Wonderland was reimagined and rebuilt.
In September 2015, the new flagship store was completed, located at Second & Spring Garden Streets in the Northern Liberties neighborhood of Philadelphia. It is now almost four times as large as the original store.
“The new Nature’s Wonderland store has information kiosks, a greatly expanded healthy foods section, including refrigerated and frozen foods,” Penn Herb said. “Our special focus continues to be on the extensive line of herbs, spices, natural vitamins, essential oils and traditional herbal blends.”
The Betz family said in a statement, “Reflecting on this 100th anniversary of Penn Herb Company, we want to express our sincere appreciation to our team members, partners and loyal customers. We truly couldn’t have made it 100 years without year. Thank you from the Betz family!”
For more information, visit www.pennherb.com.
