Healthy Living Market and Cafe
| Address: | 222 Dorset St, South Burlington, VT 05403, USA |
| Phone: | +1 802-863-2569 |
| Site: | healthylivingmarket.com |
| Rating: | 4.2 |
| Working: | 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 11
MI
Mikhael Cohen
Its not my favorite store for essentials. That said, theres a lot of good here compared to stores like Shaws, Hannaford or Trader Joes. For one, theres real, local produce. Two, great spirits and bread. Three, great supplement selection. Four, the third-best hot bar in town for vegans (First is City Market, second is Stone Soup). I give them third for their outrageous price ($10.50/lb) and fairly often-burned kale. That said, they almost always have a sweet potato dish of some sort, as well as vegan soup. Prices tend to be on the higher side, no matter what one is buying. Particularly produce and prepared foods. But they always have what Im looking for, even oddball things, which makes it the go-to if Im looking for a peculiar supplement (like a vegan D3), Vermont-made english muffins, or a good hot meal in SB. There is something that tends to irk me quite a bit, and is the primary reason I no longer visit this store. That is the in-store self-promoting. Signs with the overuse of superlatives and positive adjectives for things that dont reflect a health-conscious business model, but rather prey on desires. I know this is a bad review without an example, but its been a while since Ive been there. All in all, its somewhere between the feel and offerings of a community co-op, and a whole foods, but as a very successful private business. Ill be supporting my community co-op instead of a private enterprise, but for someone with my lifestyle it is still quite a nice resource to have around and Ill still visit again and again.
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jeremy zuhuliac
To start, almost every item in the store is a dollar more than city market, a local competitor coop in Burlington. Additionally, the store is completely unwilling to use common sense in helping customers. For example, on only Thursday there is a vitamin discount, but you can not have reduction post sale or order on the phone in the event of an emergency. Another instance is in the area of their buffet, where it is extremely common that the pricing will be outrageous yet the food is overcooked, burnt, stale, or even hard as a rock. I practically broke my tooth on the rice there, had shell or bone in a vegetarian dish, and dried out vegetables that would make a person choke. This on top 7.00 organic strawberries and pints of blueberries that cost 5.99. As a for profit company it is obvious that making pricing fall in line with a small markup is beyond the companies priorities. Healthy Living could be a great store and has great staff but horrible and predatory policies.
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J. King
I dont know where to begin. The store layout makes no sense. Its a confusing, counter-angled mess which seems specifically designed to thwart easy shopping. The prepared food is always the same—mostly variations on mush and lacking in real protein. And forget about going there to eat before ten oclock in the mornings. The kitchen is on some tropical time zone. The pre-prepared deli sandwiches where recently reduced in size, with no reduction in price. (Didnt think anyone would notice that, didnt you?) The in-store dining area is smack in the middle of the store—windowless, noisy and with constantly swirling cart traffic. The prices largely verge on the comically insulting. I often feel they price items just to see how much they can sucker the customer out of—just for laughs. The staff are helpful. The cashiers are fine people but often lack even rudimentary bagging logic. My wife likes to shop there. I despise it. So we compromise and shop there anyway.
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Heather Peatman
Large variety, great bulk section, and excellent artisan and local choice. Often called "wealthy living" it can be pricey in some areas (really the only downfall). You really cant beat their bulk pricing though! Even though Trader Joes went in a few years back (offering a "healthy/conscious" alternative at conventional prices) I still come to Healthy Living. The staff have offered to seek out items that I cannot find in store (and asked if I proffered local!) and have notified me when shipments of items I was seeking came in. Very responsible staff that are friendly in nature. The bath/beauty section is fantastic! They offer classes in their classroom regularly, so be sure to check their schedule! The store itself does close earlier than conventional places, so be sure to check hours! Ample parking as well.
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Erin Mazur
I really love Healthy Living...my son was asking us all the other day, "If you could shop at any store for free, what store would it be?" and I immediately said "Healthy Living!" I would give it 5 stars if it werent for the very high prices of many things. Locals nicknamed it "Wealthy Living." But, they truly have the most awesome wholesome products that you cannot find anywhere else. And they have everything, unlike a lot of natural food stores. Plus hot food and a bakery with truly delectable home made food. And they offer classes and talks. This store is a real gem. I just wish I was independently wealthy so I could blow entire paychecks in this place, LOL. And I wish it was a coop, but hey, I still love it.
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Tony Montana
I absolutely love this place! One of the greatest health food store Ive ever been into. What an experience to walk into this haven of organic and local produce. Nothing is missing here. They have it all! And one of the best cafeteria style restaurant in the back, with a terrace! I actually love the way the alleys are made, after a few times here it becomes logical. First time I came here I stayed 4 hours and ate so much that my later dinning experience (at a steakhouse) seemed bland compared to what they offer here. A must everytime I come to Vermont. Last visited in February 2015.
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Justin Heininger
Wide variety of whole and organic foods. Decent place to pick up essential oils for making your own aromatic scents and deodorizers. They even sell bottles for storing them all in. Healthy Living is a bit on the expensive side, as many organic markets can be, so unless you can afford to eat everything organic, I personally wouldnt recommend trying to buy all your groceries here. That said, its a great place to find most of organic needs, especially if you dont live in Downtown Burlington.
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Ted Mall
Good quality natural and organic products. But for the life of me, I cant figure out the store layout. I noticed that it isnt just me. If it wasnt for helpful staff, I could never finish my shopping there. Prices are on the high side compared to similar stores in VT. However, the store carries many unique and difficult to locate elsewhere items. Overall an above average shopping experience.
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A Private User
I really appreciate this grocery store. Though pricey, it carries unique ingredients. Its better than most local conventional stores at keeping the perishables fresh and restocked. The layout is odd and hard to navigate. However, there are great convenience foods at the cafe and the on-line shopping feature (which I use almost weekly) is a wonderful time saver. Its worth the money.
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Helen Oetjen
Great selection of healthy apackaged, fresh and gourmet food. Unfortunately, the prices are out of most peoples reach. If you can afford the food they have a great cheese selection and a pretty expansive olive bar. Their meat dept makes great sausages, especially the chorizo and the have a wonderul array of locally baked breads. This is where I shop when I want something special.
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Stuart Floyd
They have good things. Fresh made things. Much organic, gluten free stuff of course its Vermont..... Very expensive by VT standards as u can go next door for organic too for a 3rd the price. To be fair Healthy Living does have many unique items and a huge selection of fresh made foods. All local farms for meat and dairy and all the local brews too.
