From California to a Corporate Closure
Great Earth Vitamins was a well-known name in the nutritional supplement industry, with its origins tracing back to California in 1971. The company was founded by pharmacists and health enthusiasts Bernie Bubman and Earl Mindell. Over the decades, it built a reputation for providing high-quality dietary supplements with a focus on optimal absorption and efficacy. The brand was distributed through a network of both corporate and independently owned retail stores across the United States.
By the late 1990s, the company was still in expansion mode, with plans to open new stores in various regions. However, the early 2000s saw a downturn in fortunes. The corporation began experiencing years of product outages and significant financial difficulties. These issues culminated in the official closure of the corporate entity in March 2009. For many loyal customers, it seemed as if the Great Earth brand had simply vanished.
The Birth of Viva Vitamins
Rather than let the legacy fade, the remaining independently owned Great Earth store owners decided to take control of their destiny. Recognizing a strong demand for the formulas, they banded together and formed a new company. This new venture, led by long-time Great Earth store owner Bernard Kash, resulted in the launch of the Viva Vitamins brand.
The mission was not just to revive the products, but to improve upon them. The team, which included highly respected professionals, doctors, scientists, and nutraceutical formulators, worked to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the existing Great Earth formulas. The new products were rebranded as both Viva Vitamins and Earth Wise Vitamins. A key promise of the new company was that consumers could purchase these products with the same confidence they had for Great Earth products for nearly four decades.
- Continued Legacy: Former formulas live on under the Viva and Earth Wise brands.
- Improved Quality: A team of formulators enhanced the original product efficacy.
- American-Made: Both Viva and Earth Wise vitamins are proudly manufactured in the USA.
- Strong Customer Service: The brand is backed by outstanding customer service.
- Expanded Product Line: The Viva line has grown to include a wider range of products over time.
What About Great Earth Scandinavia?
It is important to note that the closure of the US-based Great Earth Vitamins company does not apply to the separate, active Great Earth brand in Scandinavia. Websites like greatearth.se and others in the region sell products under the Great Earth name. This company is focused on sustainability and offers different product lines than the original US brand. The Scandinavian brand is a completely separate entity and is not a continuation of the defunct American supplement company.
Comparison of Great Earth and Viva Vitamins Products
For customers looking to find their old favorite Great Earth products, the Viva Vitamins comparison chart provides a helpful guide. The names have been updated, but the formulas are the intended replacements.
| Great Earth Product Name | Viva Vitamin Product Name | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Lipoic Acid 250mg | Alpha Lipoic Acid 250mg | Combats free radicals and reduces oxidative stress. |
| B12 1000mcg | B12-Complex | Promotes overall cell function. |
| Be Calm EXTRA STRENGTH | Stress Calm 160 | Supports relaxation with B-Complex and calming herbs. |
| Be Well 90 tabs | Body Well | Herbal and nutritional wellness formula. |
| Aquatrol 100 tabs | Aquatrol 100 tabs | Synergistic herbal blend for fluid elimination. |
The Brand's Lasting Impact
The story of Great Earth Vitamins is a powerful one in the health and supplement industry. While the corporate entity failed, the brand's legacy survived through the dedicated efforts of its independent store owners. The creation of Viva Vitamins is a testament to the strong customer loyalty that Great Earth had cultivated. It also demonstrates the resilience of small business owners who, when faced with corporate collapse, found a way to not only continue but to improve the products their customers had come to rely on. The brand's closure in the US and its rebirth as Viva is a significant chapter in the history of natural health products.
For those seeking the spirit and quality of the original company, the Viva Vitamins brand is the definitive successor. You can learn more about their products and find a detailed comparison on their website at Viva Vitamins and Great Earth.
Conclusion: A Legacy Reborn
The question of what happened to Great Earth Vitamins is not a simple story of a brand that disappeared. Instead, it's a tale of corporate failure leading to a successful entrepreneurial resurrection. The original company, founded in 1971, succumbed to financial troubles and ceased operations in 2009. However, its former independent stores unified and launched the Viva Vitamins brand, maintaining the spirit and quality of the original formulas. Today, consumers can continue to find those legacy products and more under the Viva and Earth Wise brand names, ensuring the tradition of quality supplements continues for a new generation of health-conscious individuals.
What happened to great earth vitamins? Legacy Summary
- Corporate Closure: The original Great Earth Vitamins corporation closed down in March 2009 due to years of financial difficulties.
- Founder Information: The brand was originally established in California in 1971 by pharmacists Bernie Bubman and Earl Mindell.
- Brand Rebirth: Remaining independently owned Great Earth store owners created the successor brand, Viva Vitamins, to continue the product line.
- Improved Formulas: The new Viva Vitamins and Earth Wise brands feature enhanced versions of the original Great Earth supplement formulas.
- Separate Entities: A distinct and active Great Earth brand still exists in Scandinavia, but it is not related to the original defunct US company.
- Product Availability: Customers can find comparison charts on the Viva Vitamins website to match old products with their new counterparts.
