The Gestiers made the somewhat unusual move from farming to the health food business in April 2000 and they haven't looked back since.

Michael Gestier said it was "mind blowing" the store was turning 20 and he still got a similar feeling opening the doors of the shop each morning, just as he did all those years ago.

"I wouldn't say it's the same. I'm not quite as quick as I used to be. But I'm there every day, practically, I still turn up. I've still got a job to do. But is it the same? Not quite. But we're still enthusiastic.

The Gestiers originally opened two shops in Wagga known as Healthy Life, before they became an independent business which was coined The Healthfood Store, which found its home in Sturt Mall.

"Trish has always had a huge interest in health food and natural alternative products and supplements and things like that, so I guess she was the catalyst for it," Mr Gestier said.

Mr Gestier, who had been farming for about 30 years before he opened the store, said it was a "huge change".

The pair have been facing changes ever since, including constantly staying on top of shifting product knowledge.

"There's no real hard and fast rule ... it's like a cycle that goes around. But certainly, the way we do business is different," Mr Gestier said.

"We're fully computerized. We've got a lot of technology in the business now. Whereas before, when we started out, we were using cash registers. Looking at that type of change, that's huge."

The Gestiers said they had seen Wagga become more enthusiastic about health foods over the last 20 years.

"There's certainly greater appreciation of what we do and the products. And, yeah, it's quite amazing, just how many young people come through the store," Mr Gestier said.

Mr Gestier said as small business owners he and his wife had to be prepared to deal with challenges, including the ones posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

"If you look at where we are today with coronavirus, you know, all those things just come up unexpectedly. You're not really given much warning," Mr Gestier said.

"Being a small business. You haven't got much wriggle room for things that do come up. So you've got to be very proactive. And very positive."

The Gestiers said they have been doing steady business throughout the pandemic and were "really grateful" to have support from the community.

"We're up to the third generation of some of our customers in the store. So we're seeing, grandma, grandpa, mum, dad, and now we're seeing their children come through and that gives us a real buzz," Mr Gestier said.

The Gestiers had three school-age children when the store opened, and Trish Gestier found herself balancing running the store with looking after the kids.

"It's been challenging, very challenging, but a rewarding experience. It's hard to believe it's been 20 years," Ms Gestier said.

Ms Gestier said she had often been asked over the years what the secret was to working side-by-side with one's spouse.

"I think if you have more defined roles, that really helps in that regard, it's quite easy to be able to tell each other what you think without anyone getting offended or, you know, walking off the job," she said.

Ms Gestier said the fact the health food industry was "always changing" made it very interesting to work in.

"We still love what we do. We love our customers," she said.

"So we're happy to be there, happy to have good health and be able to do what we're doing."