Name of business: eCosway

Type of business: Eco-friendly retail

Location: 433 E. Main St., Ste. A

Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Contact info: 668-2025

History of business: eCosway’s downtown Turlock location has been open about two months, but the business traces its roots back to 1979, when the Malaysian company first started doing business – and taking Asia by storm. The business crossed the Pacific in 2010, opening its first American location in Irvine.

Today, eCosway owns over 1,800 stores across the world, and posted $430 million in 2010 sales on the back of its unique business model.

eCosway offers a free store to hard-working entrepreneurs, paying for everything from inventory to rent and remodeling costs. But qualifying for a store is no easy task, according to Turlock store manager Long Huynh.

“There’s nothing free in America,” Huynh said. “If you want a ‘free’ store, you have to work for it.”

Business specialty: eCosway specializes in eco-friendly retail products, covering a wide range of product categories. From laundry detergent to car care, beauty supplies, vitamins, skin care, organic food, cookware and home goods, eCosway offers a little bit of everything.

Huynh says the SE Pendant – a necklace intended to increase energy levels, similar to Power Balance wristbands – is a big seller. Huynh particularly recommends the Hexagon Alkaline Hydrogen Water Filtration System and the EcoMax Fuel Enhancer, which he says has saved him hundreds of dollars in gasoline.