A Healthy Legacy

The Health Hut celebrates 40 years.

by Lindsay Fletcher
photography by Stephen Savage

What started as an individual selling herbs out of his home on Old Government Boulevard to help friends and family with their health concerns has turned into a west Mobile establishment known for its quality products and knowledgeable employees that recently celebrated 40 years in business on Schillinger Road. 

The Health Hut opened in 1984 with A.D. Hale, a certified master herbalist, at the helm selling products that quickly became popular. He opened the physical location at 680 South Schillinger Road, and The Health Hut is still in business at this location today. A second location opened in Daphne in 2009. 

Ownership has changed hands a few times over the years with Betty Freeman owning it for 20 years before passing the torch to Jeff Sheldon in 2011, and then it was again passed to current owner Trey Galloway in 2022. 

Galloway was a corporate sales representative for 26 years, but COVID-19 completely changed the scope of his business, and he began looking into local opportunities where he could realize his dream of owning his own business. Through a broker, Galloway learned that Sheldon was looking for someone to take the store over, and this began months of due diligence to decide if this was the right fit. In a moment of a little bit of reconnaissance, Galloway and his wife and son scoped out the place, watching “31 people walk through the door in 30 minutes.” This helped seal the deal along with some of his business mentors encouraging him that this “industry is something that is going to continue to grow.” Galloway became the official owner in August 2022.

“The fact that it’s been around for 40 years, and we have the loyal customer following we do, it just made sense,” Galloway said. “Having a marketing background, I recognized there was room for growth and both stores continue to grow every day.”

Galloway also believes a main driver of the business’ success is the staff. He said: 

“I realized really quickly that the staff was extremely knowledgeable. They’re the best they can be at what they do, and it’s really a neat thing to watch. It’s going to sound cliché, but it really is a true family atmosphere here.” 

The staff is able to educate each customer and provide insight and knowledge on the particular products they may be purchasing. A few of the staff members have been working there more than 20 years, and all the staff strive to continually learn about the products and their benefits.  

With 12 employees currently, Galloway offers monthly breakfast trainings with presentations provided by representatives from a product’s company along with incentives for participating in self-training sessions online. “There’s a lot to know, and it changes constantly with new products coming out,” Galloway said. “We stay on the cutting edge of everything and keep ourselves educated.”

With his marketing knowledge, Galloway has also added other new initiatives over the past two years, such as a new website, billboards and a regular presence on social media with a full-time social media person. He hinted he has some other ideas up his sleeve, as well. 

In looking to the next 40 years for The Health Hut, Galloway said, “I would love for The Health Hut to be a central hub of knowledge. I would like people to know that, whether you’re on the Eastern Shore or in Mobile and you have a health concern issue, we are the place to go.” 

Personally, he’s happy he made the switch to this business. He’s pleased with how things have been going and where he sees them going in the future: 

“I’m 50 years old, and I don’t ever want to sell this business; I want to keep this business so my little boy, who is 5, can take it over. He loves coming out here; I’m going to have him working here soon. I’m happier than I’ve ever been.”