The Green Grocer

I have to agree with a lot of the reviews here. While the Green Grocer is famed and loved, it seems to be a select group of friends. I prefer going into the organic shops in Paddo even though this is my local. The few times I have been, the service is not unfriendly, but it is perfunctory. They have a great selection of seaweeds, but my favourite is to get the red dates. I don’t really know that there is anything there that you can’t get elsewhere so it really comes down to whether this is convenient to you. They have a good range of heirloom seeds, delicious fruit paddlepops, good range of dried goods, some fresh fruit n veg, and the whole beans n grain by weight. A few other goods such as drink bottles et al. It is right at the 199 bus stop, so that makes it an easy treat shop (goody balls, ice cream) while you wait for your ride. Being health food, your goods are going to cost more than home brand supermarket stuff. You know the drill!

What’s up with the service here? I avoid this place like the plague simply because I refuse to walk into a store where I’m going to be either ignored, growled at or dismissed by one of the staff.
You would think that people employed to work at a store that promotes healthy, principled, community minded living would reflect some of these characters– not at the Green Grocer. I distinctly get the feeling that I’m burdening them when I walk in to purchase something from their store. «Oh I’m sorry, you interrupted my doing nothing. How dare you.» HOW DARE YOU, Green Grocer girl. How dare YOU.
It is a good store to get things like moon calendars, healthy snacks, natural supplements, seeds, remedies and cure alls. The products are great. The Green Grocer is unique in that it’s one of the only stores of it’s kind in the area.
The Green Grocer is actually a great shop, it’s just a shame that it’s staffed with people who don’t seem to give a damn about anything.

This is the kind of place you would only find in West End. The hand painted sign gives a hint of the display of less sterile appearance you’ll find inside. Not that it isn’t clean — in fact it has an endearing, slightly scruffy appearance, much like Russel Brand. The sign proclaims they sell healthy foods and it does not lie. You’ll find a wide range of loose nuts and grains, loads of organic products and much more. It’s quite a small place but it packs a punch and offers all the right stuff to please health food enthusiasts. Apart from vegetables, that you’ll have to get elsewhere.

Every now and then when afflicted by some kind of illness I’ll check out the Green Grocer for one of their natural remedies. There’s something very wholesome and old-​worldly about having a natural decoction measured out for you into a little glass bottle and hand labeled.
I’ve tried their cough syrup mixture and found it was quite helpful in treating my cough. Ask for the one containing wild cherry if you ever want natural relief from a persistent cough. It has a strong, bitter taste that lets you know that its working.
From memory it cost a bit over $ 10 but lasted for quite a while, with the directions being to dilute it in water (like cordial). It seemed to work and offer temporary relief of the symptoms, and though I haven’t abandoned modern Western medicine yet, the experience definitely opened my eyes to the benefits of natural medicine. Goog on you Green Grocers, now if you could just convince a few more million people…

If you ever want to feel REALLY unhealthy,
I suggest you visit the Green Grocer in west end.
This place is bursting at the seams with health and vitality.
But fear not my pasty friend!
This Green Grocer most likely has a fix for whatever ails you.
What I love about this store is the huge range of products available,
whether you require healthy noms such as organic bran, LSA mix or free-​range eggs
to herbs, vitamins and other delectable healthy goodies.
The staff do seem a bit aloof at times,
but are generally knowledgeable and have good tips on green livin’.
If you’re short of Gingko or have an urge for a package of Fair-​Trade chocolate
I suggest you give Green Grocer a try.

I do like having a shop like the Green Grocer handy for those times when I’m chasing some obscure ingredient that can only be found in a health food store. However, I struggle to see how the place stays alive. It has a shabby, unkempt feel to it and there’s not a time I’ve been in there when I’ve received overly friendly service. The vibe is that they couldn’t care less whether customers came in or not.
This said, they stock a small but good range of organic dairy products, including the lovely Barambah; pre-​packaged Sol Bread; a good range of herbal and organic tea; plus quite a few things in bulk bins.
All in all, a well-​located store that could do with a bit of fresh life brought to it.
Note: $ 5 EFTPOS minimum.