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A growing market

Sisters open Balanced Boutique in Marshall

Photo by Karin Elton Sisters Jenna Puetz and Julie Appel stand by a case filled with CBD products made out of hemp at their new store on North Third Street in Marshall. The two opened the store Nov. 4.

MARSHALL — Imagine being able to own a store filled with things you like, your interests, things that have helped you.

Sisters and Marshall natives Julie Appel and Jenna Puetz have done just that. Balanced Boutique opened Nov. 4 in downtown Marshall.

Balanced Boutique is a wellness boutique offering hemp CBD products and brands. It also has an apparel studio and a separate room for massage therapy.

When Appel’s husband was battling cancer, his doctor recommended CBD products to alleviate cancer treatment symptoms. It was too late to help her husband, but Appel’s interest was piqued.

“It fascinated me,” she said. She researched products for stress and anxiety.

Appel and Puetz say their focus is on education and the quality of the products they sell at their store.

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a naturally-occurring chemical that grows in hemp plants. Hemp is a cousin of the marijuana plant, but by itself does not cause a “high,” according to www.health.harvard.edu. The website quotes the World Health Organization, which states, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential … To date, there is no evidence of public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.” According to the website, side effects of CBD can include nausea, fatigue and irritability. It says more research is needed, but “CBD may prove to be an option for managing anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain.”

Appel said customers should always let their physician know what products they are using.

“We want to be a resource for quality and a place to rely on for the newest information,” they said. “Studies are being by the Department of Veteran Affairs on CBD and PTSD. A study published in the journal ‘Pain,’ found CBD decreased joint inflammation and served as a protectant to the nerves.”

“We spent a lot of time researching before we opened,” said Appel. “A lot of products say they have ingredients in them and they don’t.”

The products are third-party tested, Appel said.

“They are tested off the ground, when they are manufactured, all the way through the process, said Appel.

“They’re all grown organically,” said Puetz.

The two have certificates from the CBD Training Academy.

“We’ll continue to research and bring in products that meet our standards,” said Puetz. “We want to continue learning.”

The two are proud to carry wellness products for Marshall.

“The market is growing,” said Puetz. “People are looking for something else or something in addition to what they are already taking.”

The store carries an array of products from fruit gummies to shampoo, from sleep aids to pain relief and essential oils.

They even have a display of earrings, bangles and necklaces and there is a small room, which is full of women’s apparel.

“Unstructured, comfortable and relaxing clothes,” Puetz said.

Speaking of relaxing, Puetz is a longtime certified massage therapist. There is another room in the store for that purpose. The client can choose CBD oils or regular oils.

“I was Complete Health Center’s first massage therapist,” she said, speaking of her husband, Dr. Paul Puetz’s chiropractic health center.

Balanced Boutique is located at 121 N. 3rd St. and is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment. For more information, visit balancedboutique.org.

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