By Cole Fox
Nestled in downtown Cedar Falls at 200 State St., Suite 102, Cedar Apothecary & Dry Goods offers a tangible retail experience that most would say can best be savored in person. The store opened in February, and its early success reflects its founders’ enterprising roots.
Here, shoppers can find small-batch artisan products, niche beauty brands, and wholesome scents carefully selected by the apothecary’s owners, Katy Susong and her daughter, Molly. Their commitment to sustainability and wellness embodies the passion and pride they feel about owning a small business.
“One thing we talk about a lot here is that you can come in and you can take a breath,” Katy said. “You can just kind of experience the store at the pace that you want to experience it.”
As the CEO of Grow Cedar Valley, the non-profit organization uplifting and advocating for local businesses, Katy engages daily with Cedar Falls consumers, who, she says, overwhelmingly seek new in-person shopping experiences.
“For us, it really felt like an opportunity to meet a need,” she said.
To do just that, Katy and Molly pay particular attention to consumer input. They spend time researching and testing products from coast to coast. Some of the products elicit memories for Katy, as she recalls their family’s adventure to the Pacific Northwest.
In the coastal town of Netarts, Oregon, for instance, they saw pure sea salt harvested for an authentic culinary brine.
“Right on the bay is where they make the Jacobsen salt and the honey,” she said. “It takes me back to a memory and I think that’s so much about what makes these products special.”
Since 2023, the family has also operated Alloy Custom Jewelers, a business focused on uniquely-crafted jewelry. Here, Aram Susong and his son, Sam, put their talents to work creating personalized pieces that capture and reflect customers’ individual stories.
Similarly, at Cedar Apothecary & Dry Goods, Katy and Molly seek a direct connection with the customers. For her part, Molly adds a contemporary vision for sustainability as she finds her own path along her parents’ entrepreneurial trail.
Majoring in non-profit leadership and sustainability at UNI, Molly says earning a degree in the field demonstrates her commitment to curating an eco-friendly inventory at the store.
“My dad has always been an entrepreneur and in business, so I feel like joining and bringing what I know a lot about has been really interesting,” Molly said. “When we were opening the store, I wanted to make sure that we picked brands that cared about sustainability.”
Customers patronizing Cedar Apothecary & Dry Goods, whether for a loved one or for their own indulgences, can confidently put aside any ecological concerns. Organic, sustainably-packaged offerings are delicately organized across the meticulously designed interior.
Cabinets painted in tranquil colors and the artful decor inspire the serene experience owners say elevates customers to feel good about themselves and their daily wellness rituals.
The store derives its name locally from the Cedar Valley, while “apothecary” comes from the Greek word “apotheke,” describing ancient pharmaceutical practices that have evolved into the modern wellness industry of herbalism and self-care products.
Though not as common in the Cedar Valley, wellness boutiques serve a variety of consumer needs. The assortment of products available at Cedar Apothecary & Dry Goods includes cosmetics, meditation, hygienic products and much more.
“My mom and I have always loved stuff like this,” said Molly. “And so getting to join and help pick out products and build a brand has been really, really cool.”