Happier Grocery

A.k.a. the Erewhon of New York City.

If you have an Erewhon membership and shop the Brentwood Farmer’s Market, do pop into Happier Grocery. It’s New York’s take on the gourmet market, just a brisk walk from The Roxy Hotel if you’re from out of town—and right on Canal Street should you want to make a day of browsing Soho shoppy shops and chic (using the adjective unironically) boutiques.

In true superette form, Happier Grocery’s offerings are tightly edited. Snacks are fun—house-brand dry goods aren’t as egregiously priced as Erewhon (saying this as someone with a membership to L.A.’s most notorious food shop) and instead, are comparable to Whole Foods’ markups—but the beauty section is where I spent most of my time, naturally. Even without the professional curiosity I would’ve pored over those shelves; the buyer has exquisite taste and the curation shows for it.

If you’re after a quick bite, the hot bar looked promising, albeit more omnivore-friendly if you prefer a veg-forward diet. Pass on the café and grab a juice instead; health foods are where Happier Grocery shines. And in terms of the goods I actually left with: a perfume (of course; Biology Fragrance 7: Balance was just what I craved that hot, early summer morning), pink lemonade, and merch.

All in the name of research and good, happier fun.

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xx