Mastel's Health Foods is a local, women-owned, independent health food store with decades of history, providing a thoughtfully sourced selection of supplements, organic foods and personal care products. With a tradition of happy customers spanning decades and willingness to adapt to change over time, Mastel’s embodies what holistic wellness has always been and what it is becoming.

Founded in 1968 by John Mastel, the store has long been a trusted destination for natural supplements, organic groceries and non-toxic personal care products. Today, under the stewardship of Alina Hornfeldt and Lauren Gaffney, that legacy continues with intention, precision and a distinctly human touch. 

What sets Mastel’s apart is not just what lines its shelves, but how those shelves are curated and who stands behind them.

A Commitment to Service That Cannot Be Replicated

At a time when convenience often replaces connection, Mastel’s doubles down on something increasingly rare: real, consistent, knowledgeable human interaction.

“We’re not trying to grow too fast… we’re just trying to make sure that we’re still doing this one thing really, really, really well,” Gaffney says, emphasizing the store’s deliberate focus on stability and excellence over rapid expansion. 

That “one thing” is customer care. Long-term staff retention means that the team feels valued, and that customers are greeted by familiar faces who remember their health journeys, their preferences and even the supplements they tried months prior. This continuity fosters trust, a cornerstone of the Mastel’s experience.

“You don’t have to start from scratch over and over again,” Hornfeldt explains. “That continuity… is really powerful.” 

Tried-and-True Staples: The Foundation of Wellness

As customers walk through the aisles, they will find classic products that have earned their place through decades of use and customer loyalty.

Natural deodorants formulated without aluminum. Clean protein powders designed to nourish without unnecessary additives. Foundational supplements like magnesium glycinate, probiotics and fish oil that support the body at its core.

These are not trends; they are time-tested tools. Mastel’s honors these staples not out of nostalgia, but out of respect for what works. Many customers return again and again for these essentials, confident in both their quality and affordability.

This balance of exceptional products at accessible price points remains central to the store’s mission.

On the Cutting Edge: Wellness in Real Time

While stocking products that are tried and true, Gaffney and the team continuously stay up to date on ever-evolving science behind the scenes. They evaluate emerging research, attend trade shows and engage directly with evolving conversations in integrative health. This helps support a dynamic inventory that reflects the latest in wellness innovation.

In recent years, this has included:

• Targeted probiotics tailored to specific microbiome needs 
• Adaptogenic blends designed to support stress resilience and hormonal balance 
• Advanced collagen formulations for joint, skin and gut health 
• Plant-based and allergen-friendly protein innovations 
• Eco-conscious home and body products that reduce toxic load 

These additions are not chosen lightly. Each product must meet Mastel’s standards for ingredient integrity, sustainability and real-world effectiveness.

The philosophy is clear: new does not replace old; it enhances it.

Longevity and Anti-Aging:

In step with the evolving landscape of wellness, Mastel’s also leans into some of today’s most pressing health conversations with both curiosity and discernment. Longevity and anti-aging are approached not as vanity pursuits, but as whole-body, lifelong practices to support brain health, cellular function and the preservation of lean muscle mass through high-quality omega-3s, nootropic blends and bioavailable magnesium. Clean protein formulations, HMB and Spermidine are popular customer picks as well. 

“HMB (Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate) prevents the body from breaking down lean muscle tissue, so it is helpful against sarcopenia: age-related muscle loss,” Gaffney shares. “Spermadine helps with autophagy and is clinically shown to increase lifespan of a number of organisms,” she adds.

Hormonal Health and Menopause

Women’s health remains another central focus, with thoughtful guidance around hormonal shifts, sleep quality, energy levels and the transitions of perimenopause and menopause, often supported by adaptogenic herbs, targeted mineral support and comprehensive hormone-balancing formulas. “Symphony Health condition-specific maca formulas are popular for changes of life. Topicals like Emrita BiEstro Cream, which contains estriol and estradiol, can also help with hormonal shifts,” says Gaffney.

Metabolism and Digestive Support

At the same time, the team engages openly in emerging discussions around GLP-1 medications, offering education alongside natural, sustainable alternatives, such as blood sugar-balancing nutrients, fiber-rich supplements and metabolic support blends, that may help individuals either avoid pharmaceutical intervention or complement it responsibly. 

They aim to meet people where they are, offering solutions rooted in both tradition and research and empower each customer with options that support long-term vitality. Gaffney explains, “We offer 1Life Science GLP-1Pro which contains Akkermansia muciniphila, as well as prebiotics and herbs to support appetite control and curb food cravings. Vital Planet Fiber (flax, pea and hemp) helps with bulk and ease of elimination.”

A Living Bridge Between Generations of Health

Mastel’s philosophy reflects a broader truth within holistic health: Optimal wellness often lies not in choosing between traditional and contemporary approaches, but in integrating them. Customers value Mastel’s as not simply a retailer, but as a trusted guide as well.

A patron may arrive seeking a simple protein powder and leave with a deeper understanding of gut health. Others come searching for natural pain relief and find both a trusted remedy and a new, research-backed option to explore.

Rooted in Community, Grounded in Purpose

Throughout its evolution, Mastel’s has remained anchored in something deeper than commerce. The team invests not only in products, but in people, cultivating a workplace culture where staff feel valued, supported and empowered. This internal strength translates outward, shaping every customer interaction.

“We’re all in it together,” Hornfeldt says. “Hopefully, that translates to people truly feeling invested when they’re working with customers.” 

In an era of rapid change, Mastel’s Health Foods offers something steady yet progressive, where the wisdom of the past is honored, the discoveries of the present are embraced and the health of the community remains at the center of it all.

And in that balance, it quietly answers a question that many are still asking:

What does wellness look like today?

At Mastel’s, it looks both familiar—and entirely new.

Location: 1526 St. Clair Ave., St. Paul. To learn more, visit Mastels.com or call 651-690-1692.

Jordan Peschek, BSN, publishes Natural Awakenings magazine in Twin Cities and Milwaukee. She studied business, leadership and nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has a passion for holistic and integrative wellness.