By Darlene Bowers
Usually a smile quickly comes to Alisa Armbrecht of Ada as she greets customers at HealthChek at 117 S. Main St. 

But this day, the store’s final day, everything  is bittersweet. It’s a little harder for that smile to come. But get Alisa reminiscing or telling a favorite story and pretty soon you’ll be laughing along with her at the oddities and funniness of even little things that she and others do to make sometimes the ordinary just a little more enjoyable and never humdrum.

The best thing about operating a store in Ada is the friendship and the people according to Alisa. On Friday, Jan. 31, after six years of serving the community, HealthChek closed its doors, but new doors are opening for Alisa, the fun-loving, health and nutrition knowledge guru, collector of almost anything with an owl on it, animal lover and mother of two.

Alisa has been undertaking part-time employment away from HealthChek in order to keep it operating for the past eight months. She was also instrumental in operating a trial run in her store of a consignment handmade gifts initiative by some local artists, authors and crafters.

Now working for Diamond M, a veterinary clinic in Kenton, Alisa was named employee of the month recently and has found a spot she loves and enjoys her co-workers and the animals.

Caring for others, especially animals, has always been a passion. Alisa’s own pet is a Black Labrador named Lily B. Lily has a funny aversion to having her picture taken; slinking away at even a glimpse of a lens.

Along with a new job, Alisa looks forward to continuing involvement with her two sons’ school and sports activities at Ada. Tristan, a cross country enthusiast, will graduate this year and Eric, a freshman, is active in football.

So as one door, the door of Alisa’s health and nutrition store named HealthChek, closes new doors will continue to open for Alisa Armbrecht.