Featured Retailer of the Month
The Local Grocer: Nourishing Community Through Local Food, Holistic Health, and Sustainable Living
Located in a solar-powered, artfully renovated carriage house just north of North Conway village, The Local Grocer is much more than a health food store, eco gift shop, and café. It is a community grounded in the understanding that the health of people and the earth are deeply intertwined.
Founded in 2010 by Clinical Herbalist Heather Chase and Permaculture Designer and Engineer Russell Van Deursen, The Local Grocer grew out of their permaculture homestead, Mountain Flower Farm, and a shared vision to nurture the wellness of their community. From the beginning, their mission has been to connect people with the sources of their food, with the body’s natural capacity to heal, and with one another through nourishment, education, and care.
At The Local Grocer, customers will find a thoughtfully curated selection of organic produce, grass fed meats, artisanal cheeses, organic wine, regional beer, bulk staples, vegan and gluten free foods, natural body care, and eco-friendly home goods. The apothecary department is stocked with professionally selected vitamins, supplements, and natural remedies, supported by a knowledgeable team who love helping customers make informed, holistic choices.
The Eco Gift Shop reflects the same commitment to conscious living, featuring ethically and locally made items such as pottery, natural fiber clothing, crystal jewelry, yoga supplies, wellness books, candles, incense, oracle cards, home decor, fair trade items, and handcrafted lifestyle goods that support artisans and sustainable practices.
The Farm Café embodies The Local Grocer’s commitment to wholesome living, with every dish made from scratch using ingredients sourced from local and organic producers. Guests can enjoy nourishing breakfasts, hearty soups and sandwiches, vibrant salads, house made chocolates and baked goods, fresh juices, smoothies, and handcrafted espresso drinks, all prepared with the belief that real food can be both healing and joyful.
The Local Grocer also serves as a hub for holistic health and community connection. The building is home to Mountain Kula Yoga downstairs and Be Well Studios upstairs, offering chiropractic care, massage, health coaching, shiatsu, energy work, sports rehabilitation, and more. This collective of like-minded practitioners has created a vibrant wellness ecosystem, a place where people can gather, learn, heal, and grow.
Coming this winter, White Mountain Sauna Haus will become part of The Local Grocer’s wellness hub, with a mission to bring community together through the Nordic tradition of sauna and cold plunge.
At its core, The Local Grocer is guided by a simple yet deeply rooted mission to nurture wellness of body, mind, spirit, and community through local food, natural health, and conscious living.