BOISE CO-OP

888 W. Fort St., Boise, 472-4500

www.boisecoop.com

Just walking along its aisles — packed to the brim with vitamins, teas, tinctures, restorative remedies and all things local or organic — makes one feel healthier.

Founded in 1973 as a small food-buying club tucked away in a backroom, the Boise Co-op has become an institution, boasting the Treasure Valley’s largest selection of natural and organic foods in its 26,000-square-foot market in Boise’s North End.

But the Boise Co-op isn’t just for health nuts. Gourmet and import offerings make foodies swoon. Oodles of bottles tempt wine and beer buffs. A plethora of lotions and potions can meet any skin-care regime.

And good news! Non-members no longer have to pay a 10 percent surcharge.

Everyone can shop at the Co-op, but membership (a one-time fee of $65 ) still has its perks, including special discounts and points toward a quarterly rebate coupon.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

* Bodybuilding.com, 1467 N. Milwaukee Ave., Boise, 377-3839

* Chase’s Natural Foods Market, 5170 W. Overland Road, Boise, 343-2182

* Mrs. Beasley’s, 10370 W. Overland Road, Boise, 376-8484

* The Vitamin Shoppe, 347 N. Milwaukee St., Boise, 672-3445, www.vitaminshoppe.com.

* GNC, multiple locations, www.gnc.com.