A new Earth Fare store (#39) is opening in Summerville! This is their newest store and 2nd in the Charleston area, the first of which is across from my new office in South Windermere (btw, did you know it was the 2nd ever Earth Fare franchise? Now you do! You’re welcome.) I had a chance to stop by and preview the store before it opened, and let me tell you: It is beautiful! It’s 23,000 square feet of healthy, organic glory that will inspire you to eat better and live a healthier lifestyle.
Look how fancy!
Earth Fare prides itself on its high quality standards, which includes no high-fructose corn syrup; no artificial fats, colors, flavors, preservatives, or sweeteners; no antibiotics or synthetic growth hormones in the meat; and no bleached or bromated flour. The Earth Fare in West Ashley was built in the 90’s, so although it is still perfectly good, it is lacking some of the aesthetic charm that the new store has. I’ll touch on some of my favorite features:
Scoop Your Own Ravioli
I would like ALL THE RAVIOLI
And they have a flavor called “mac and cheese ravioli.” Uuuuh, yes please.
Scoop Your Own Bath Salts
Not the kind that make you eat your friend’s face. The relaxing kind.
Sweet citrus, fresh mint, handmade soap…. My bath is going to be so luxurious!
Scoop Your Own Candy
Hello bulk candy, let me introduce you to my hips.
But it’s healthy candy, so it’s basically a vegetable.
Scoop Your Own Bulk Grains & Nuts
Granola, and oatmeal, and grits, Oh my!
Ok, mostly I think I just like scooping things
Try Before You Buy
Now I don’t have to sit here and pretend that I know what sorpressata tastes like.
One thing I really love about Earth Fare is that they know how overwhelming it can be to make the transition from the big brands to smaller, healthier brands. You’re not sure you’re going to like a certain product, and that makes you hesitant to buy it. Earth Fare takes the mystery out of the whole experience. They’ll happily open any product on the shelves and let you try it to make sure you’re buying something that you’ll actually enjoy.
Find the Perfect Cheese
Oh, my cheesus.
So many cheeses, so little time. Plus, if they don’t care a cheese you’re looking for, they can special order it (as long as it comes from one of their approved vendors & follows their healthy rules).
Natural Beauty
Beauty also starts from the outside in.
Because you should be just as concerned with what you’re putting on your body as what you’re putting in it.
$6 Meal Deals
Did I mention they have free wifi?
Pretty much any day of the week, you can stop by Earth Fare and get dinner for $6, featuring select menu items on different days like rotisserie chickens, pizza, and more!
Local Coffee & Tea
Coffee coffee coffee buzz buzz buzz
Grind Your Own Nut Butters & Pour Your Own Syrup
Plus, I love me some chunky peanut butter.
Pretty sure I still have a bottle of agave syrup that I bought in early 2010, so I think pouring my own might be a better alternative (and also I should really throw that old container out).
Man, I wish I lived closer to Summerville!
The new store opens on Wednesday morning, and they’re hosting a grand opening party at 7 am on 9/23 (ribbon cutting at 6:45 am). The first 100 people in line will get a gift card of varying values up to $500! There will be product demos, live music, raffles, activities for the kids, and more!
Don’t feel like waking up early to wait in line? No worries! I’m giving away a $25 Earth Fare gift card. Enter to win below!
UPDATE: Congrats to Kendra Nangle who won the $25 gift card!
I work right over the Wappoo Bridge from the Earth Fare in Charleston, but this one looks waaaayy nicer and I’ve never seen a “scoop your own ravioli” station here! Thanks for the awesome giveaway … and on a weird side-note – are you Lily’s roommate? I think I’ve met you before 🙂
I am Lily’s roommate! Are you Kickball Meg? The scoop your own ravioli is definitely my favorite thing. It’s super sexy in that store. Too bad it’s so far away!
Sorry I just saw this, and yes, I am kickball Meg – haha! Such a small world. Hope you can make it to the next CHS blog society event. It’s been a lot of fun to get to know the other lady bloggers around here!
You had me at ‘scoop your own ravioli’! Oh what I’d give to have that Earth Fare next to my house!
Me too! It’s the coolest thing I’ve seen at a store ever, probably.
I’ve never shopped at Earth Fare. Im so stuck on WF and Tj’s its pretty insane! Can’t wait to see who wins! Good luck everyone 🙂
You gotta try Earth Fare! I would definitely shop at TJ’s and Whole Foods more if I lived in Mount Pleasant, so I feel ya.
Love the staff at Earth Fare – always friendly, helpful, and share a sincere common interest in healthy living. Earth Fare offers some great deals and you can’t beat their hot food bar and salad bar for a quick meal.
Those meal deals tho… I always get those when i’m too lazy to make dinner. Or i’m hitting up the happy hour at the juice bar! 😉
I love the excellent customer service!
I love juice bar and meal deals!
Thanks for this opportunity to win a gift card! Great article, I’m even more excited to check it out now!
We went today and your commentary is basically every thing I said to my husband as we were walking around. 🙂
So excited to have an option for organic food closer to Goose Creek than Mt. P or West Ashley!
I haven’t been inside the new Earth Fare but I’ve been to their pre-opening tasting and I looove the pumpkin pretezels and the maple cookies. So good! I am looking forward to their produce too.
The juice bar is pretty amazing!