The Vitamin Shoppe

New business in the regrettable «Mansion Square» development that just opened in ³⁄₁₂ at the intersection of Balltown Rd. and State, across from Mohawk Commons, this is a standard-​issue Vitamin Shoppe, with a large array of supplements and vitamins ranging from the essential to borderline patent-​medicine quackery. The prices for the few things we’ve purchased here aren’t overly competitive but it’s convenient for children’s supplements, this being the only place in the area we’ve been able to find competing brands of child-​specific formulations prescribed by our pediatrician.
The staff were helpful and relatively knowledgeable about stock, but this is yet another franchise desperate to get you on their mailing list via discount cards and coupons, and I continue to resent having to go through the routine of declining this on every visit.
My general advice when visiting such a place, to avoid being up-​sold or purchasing something you’re not really clear about, is to research what you want BEFORE going in so you’re making your selection based on your own needs and what science you can bring to muster on the topic, and not the bag of retail store tricks (to which we are all vulnerable no matter how well-​informed).