I love myself a natural foods store. And when it's located in a lovely old wood framed house and surrounded by shade trees? That makes my shopping experience all the sweeter.
However, The Granary would be pretty sweet even if it was located in a cardboard refrigerator box. I love shopping here; the staff is knowledgable, the selection is great, and the prices are enough to justify a twenty-minute drive (which I make about twice a month). And if you're a vegetarian, this is your place. They sell all the supplies that keep herbivores hale and hearty, like vital wheat gluten, textured vegetable protein, nutritional yeast, quinoa, and a rainbow of dried beans. If it's an alternative protein source, you can usually buy it here.
My main love at the store is the bulk foods section. These are sold pre-portioned in small bags; if this puts you off, don't let it. I, too, initially wished that I could dish it out of the bin myself. Then I noticed that there a variety of weights and sizes amongst the offerings, and that there is still that great bulk discount price without the mess. I could easily spend fifty dollars in this small room if I don't watch myself, since the products range from frankly practical (who doesn't need more whole wheat pastry flour?) to temptingly luxurious (grain sweetened dark chocolate coconut haystacks, anyone?).Though I'm lucky enough to not suffer from celiac disease or diabetes, I have perused. The Granary has options for both categories, and they seem to stock a nice range of products. Different flours, like coconut, corn, and rice, are all on offer, and they have a bunch of gluten free convenience products as well. The grocery section has agave nectar in a variety of flavors, as well as stevia and xylitol for those with sugar sensitivies, or those of us who could just do to cut back on the calories (as I pause to raise my own hand sheepishly).
Need supplements? They have you covered:
(somewhere in that shot is my favorite brand of B12 tablets. They're the best).Rover or Tiger need vegan pet food? Just step right up:
Need castille soap? Sulfate/sulfite free shampoo? A netti pot? All-natural toothpaste? I dare say The Granary can help you:
The Granary does stock some frozen convenience foods and prepackaged snacks, as well as fresh organic produce, dairy, and soy foods. There are also some delicious locally produced fresh breads (all I can vouch for is the Italian style loaf, which is killer). And as I wind this paragraph to a close, I know that I'm probably forgetting about ten or fifteen more wonderful things that they have managed to gracefully arrange in such an economical space. But I'm not too worried about it. All that it means is that you'll have one more reason to check the place out for yourself.
Charming hand-lined shopping baskets: just another little touch that keeps you coming back.
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