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FAIRFIELD – Maharishi Ayurveda held a grand opening at its new location on the Fairfield square on Saturday, Nov. 1.

The store’s address is 56 E. Burlington Ave., previously occupied by Iowa Dance Collective. Guests at the grand opening were treated to delicious food, and got to meet members of the business’s 12-person team, including CEO Ram Shrivastava.

Fairfield Mayor Connie Boyer and Grow Fairfield Executive Director Ed Malloy were on hand to cut the red ribbon, joined by Nicole Marie Baron-Kruse, the firm’s head of retail and customer care. Baron-Kruse said she was thrilled with the attendance for the grand opening, which exceeded “all our expectations.”

“The space was packed, and the energy was incredible,” she said. “We were deeply touched by how warmly the community embraced us.”

Baron-Kruse said a tremendous amount of “heart” went into remodeling the office space. She worked closely with Emily Blackwolf, and the two reenvisioned the entire layout.

“Together, we added beautiful entry arches, created a brand-new room, and selected a fresh, vibrant color palette that aligns with the vision for the store,” she said.

Torres Construction built the cash wrap and beauty bar, while Doug Blackwolf handcrafted the shelving units, and Emily Blackwolf and Baron-Kruse selected the furniture. Brand officer Shannon Thompson was in charge of branding and messaging, and Baron-Kruse said Thompson’s legacy wall “has become a meaningful and memorable part of the store experience.”

Maharishi Ayurveda sells herbal supplements, natural skin care products, massage oils, and teas. Baron-Kruse said all products are designed to do one thing: promote balance.

“Our safety and purity come from decades of quality control—from plant to finished product,” she said. “Our formulas come from master vaidyas (Ayurvedic experts), our herbs are sustainably grown and harvested, and we follow meticulous, traditional Ayurvedic methods. Our products are rigorously tested for safety.”

Maharishi Ayurveda Products of India acquired the business known as MAPI USA. MAPI USA was previously located in an office on North Fourth Street, and after the change in ownership, the business moved into its new “flagship store” on the south side of the square.

According to information from the company, Maharishi Ayurveda originated in India in 1986, and is the first and oldest Ayurveda products company in the United States. In Sanskrit, Ayurveda translates as "the science of life."

“Working with pre-eminent experts in the field of Ayurveda, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation, revived the knowledge of ayurveda in its totality, by creating Maharishi Ayurveda,” Baron-Kruse said. “Realizing that modern lifestyles negatively impact not only mental but even physical well-being, Maharishi stressed the importance of living in harmony with nature, adopting Ayurvedic practices, and using herbal formulas as a means of promoting optimal health for individuals.”

Ram Shrivastava’s father Anand Shrivastava was chosen by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to lead the initiative of reviving and spreading the Ayurveda tradition and creating high-quality and standardized formulations.

“After Anand’s passing four years ago, Ram and his family felt called to continue their father’s work,” Ram Shrivastava shared in an announcement. “Now, Ram leads the USA initiative, ensuring the purity, consistency, and integrity of MAPI’s offerings for a new generation.”

Maharishi Ayurveda is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, and noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com