Campustown has a new nutrition store and cyber snack bar.

NHO Connections recently opened in Ames at 2401 Chamberlain St.

“We are trying to offer an alternative to some of the restaurants in Ames,” said Deb Galvin, owner of NHO Connections. “Although we aren’t strictly vegetarian, we do offer a healthier option.”

Galvin and co-owner Mary Youngerman said they have been looking into opening a store like this for a while. NHO is actually part of a chain of nutrition stores; “NHO” is an acronym for National Health Order, a corporation out of New York.

“There will be a chain of NHO stores nationwide soon. All will have different endings, such as ‘Connections,’ but will be part of the chain,” Galvin said. “Ames has the first store outside of New York. We are the No. 2 store.”

NHO Connections offers a full line of health, nutritional and work-out products, aromatherapy products, a skin-care line and a cyber snack bar.

“We will have the computers available for use on Oct. 1. The strike at U S West [kept] us from getting our modem lines,” Galvin said.

The snack bar will be turned into a full-fledged cafe on Oct. 1. This will coincide with NHO’s grand opening.

Prices at the snack bar range from $1.25 for a salad to $5 for a meal.

“We want everyone to know that anything we sell here is just a nutritional supplement. It is not a substitute for a healthy diet,” Galvin said. “That is what the snack bar and cafe are there to help with.”

She said herbal add-ins also are available to get an energy boost, relieve sinus pressure, assist with moods and even remedy hangovers.

“We have the best prices, products and service,” Galvin said.

Galvin and Youngerman also plan to offer different classes ranging from yoga to learning healthier eating habits.

NHO Connections is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“I think we really have something for everyone here,” Galvin said. “We just want to help people take responsibility for their own health.”