Staff

Perelandra, the origins

It was 1975. I was 26 years old and unemployed. Spent most of my life in school. A child of the sixties. My passion in college was protest and politics. For a short time I pursued a graduate degree in sociology and thought I would spend my life in academia. I then lost interest in school.

l was looking for work that would contribute to society and be right livelihood. While attending school I worked many summers for my father who owned a small retail variety store. I learned the business basics from him but more importantly I learned how my father built a business with honesty and integrity. Everyone who did business with and worked for Harry Hoose trusted respected and liked him. 

To my surprise, I realized that the fundamentals that I needed to move forward in my work life I learned from my father. 

I came of age in the counterculture movement of the sixties. Selling products that were good for people, the community and the environment was the type of work that to me was the essence of that movement. On April 17th, 1976 Perelandra Natural Foods Center opened on the parlor floor of 154 Montague street in Brooklyn Heights.

On January 1st, 2010, Perelandra entered an important new phase. Up until that time my wife Madeline and I were the sole owners. On that date Roland Auer and Allison Nichols, who spent many years on Perelandra's management team, became our partners and took over the management of all of the operations of the business. We chose them as partners because they had the same vision, honesty and integrity that formed the foundation on which the business was built. And, of course, because everyone who does business with and works with them trusts, respects and likes them.      

-Steven Hoose, President & Founder

Photo: Our original location on Montague Street. Thanks to Melanie Hope Greenberg for the photo!

Roland -- Co-owner

Purchasing the very best organic produce and displaying every item in an appealing way, Roland has been responsible for our "exquisitely fresh and exotic produce" since 2001. With 15 years
experience in the Natural Food industry and 20 years experience in the produce industry, there’s not very many questions about health food and produce he can’t answer. He is also actively
involved in human resources and grocery department ordering. Roland enjoys playing Bass in two bands, cooking, comic books, bicycles, and good beer!



 

Allison -- Co-owner

Allison began working at Perelandra in 2002. She is our Grocery Department buyer as well as our Health and Beauty buyer. If you want to submit a product for consideration, please send wholesale information to Allison's attention. Additionally, she hires our excellent staff, so contact her if you're interested in a job! She has both a bachelors and masters degree in nutrition and has a private nutrition counseling practice when she's not at Perelandra!

 

Don -- General Manager

Don works tirelessly keeping Perelandra's grocery department in tip-top shape. After managing some of the top natural food stores in New York City, Don has been a part of the Perelandra team
since 2004. With close to 20 years of experience in the natural food industry, he adds greatly to our knowledgeable staff. Don enjoys playing drums, video editing and commuting around the city by bicycle.

Carrie -- General Manager

Carrie began working at Perelandra in 2006. In addition to being a general manager, she is in charge of training our excellent cashiering staff and selecting products for our candy section. Carrie is Perelandra's queen of pop culture, so if you can't think of the name of a movie/actor/television show/musician, ask her! 

 

Work at Perelandra!

Do you love natural and organic foods? Are you an enthusiastic, outgoing individual with excellent customer service skills? We are always happy to accept applications from friendly folks with natural foods experience. We offer excellent benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance plans, paid time off, paid holidays, paid birthday day, an employee discount, profit sharing and more! Please send your resume and cover letter to Employment@PerelandraNatural.com