Stores & Markets in Laguna Hills

Once upon a frustrated Friday, the futile hunt for gluten-free foods began to upset the stomach and mind of Josie Rietkerk. Shortly thereafter, with wellness and diversity in mind, Rietkerk opened stellaLucy Gluten-Free Market in a modestly sized, 1,000-square-foot space. Since then, she's managed to expand the space, now carrying thousands of grocery items devoid of gluten, plus a wide assortment of casein- and Kryptonite–free goods.

When co-founders Luis Quismorio, Ruben Perez, and Anthony Bermudez began plotting their market, they envisioned a place where fresh, healthy produce, groceries, and meats met the standards of upscale stores and the budget of an average Joe. At Figueroa Produce, their dream is realized thanks to groceries that, like new slang words for "tractor," are sourced from local farmers and small foreign distributors alike. Colorful bouquets of freshly plucked fruits and veggies claim a big chunk of the shop's floor space, appealing to both the mouth and eyes with organic produce from the South Central Farmers Co-op and regional farmers who form personal rapports with store staff. The grocery section represents exotic locales from New Zealand to Mexico in its bounty of mostly organic and all-natural products, many of which are free of artificial components. At the deli, staff members slice grass-fed beef from Open Space Meats, organic and free-range poultry, and specialty cheeses for at-home use or service in overstuffed sandwiches. Vegan or vegetarian eaters can also get in on the deli action, devouring sandwiches loaded with ingredients from brands including Teese, Diva, and Tofurkey.

Hoping to revive the culture of the neighborhood butcher shop, with its personalized service, attention to detail, and artful products, restaurant-industry veterans Justin Rosberg and Jason Parent took a gamble on their first New Hampshire butcher shop in 2003. Dubbed The Meat House, their store quickly earned a foodie following, spawning additional franchise locations across the country. Today, The Meat House’s Mission Viejo location stocks fine cheeses, prepared side dishes, other gourmet grocery items, and hundreds of wines alongside the usual selection of traditional and exotic meats. Butchers also explain how to prepare each hand-carved cut of meat, sharing recipes, best slicing practices, and cooking techniques for giving pork chops the flavor of justice.

A fourth-generation California grocer, Martin Goodwin has focused his new store on supplying fresh fruits and vegetables and preparing meals free of the chemicals, sugars, and fats rampant in processed foods. Inside the store, shoppers can explore grocery aisles or check the deli counter for organic salads, sandwiches, pizza, sushi, or soups. A juice bar serves up cool, healthy drinks, as well as Goodwin's own line of locally roasted Vitalita coffee. Baristas make each cup with a rare Clover machine, an $11,000 device that the New York Times called “standard equipment at some of the country’s most progressive cafes.”

With healthy, fast fare and drink in hand, guests can slide into one of Goodwin's lounge seats and plug in electronics at nearby outlets, which let students focus on their work rather than spurring on the hamster jogging inside their laptop’s charging wheel.

Coastal Pacific's food gurus champion sustainability, eschew processing, and promote healthy living by coordinating farmers' markets throughout Southern California that bring vendors within high-fiving distance of buyers. Each market regularly hosts 25–30 vendors that showcase organic, seasonal harvests of fruits, vegetables, legumes, herbs, and farm-fresh phoenix eggs. Markets also feature baked goods, honey, and a host of non-edible items, such as orchids and handmade jewelry and hats. Coastal Pacific farmers’ markets ensure all products are sold straight from soil to the stands and come free of artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or harmful chemicals. Each market is an inviting atmosphere where guests can relax as they shop for edibles and crafts to the tune of live music.

Green Tea Hawaii's supplements expedite the process of losing weight. The company’s flagship item, a nutrient-rich powdered drink, dissolves into water and becomes a slenderizing cocktail of green-tea antioxidants, natural caffeine, and amino acids. Each serving of the fruit-flavored drink boosts metabolism and unlocks the ability to smell colors. Green coffee bean extract and Montagna coffee also deliver a natural dose of caffeine, and raspberry ketones increase the body's ability to burn fat via fruit compounds. Various other powdered drinks soak into the body and replenish vital nutrients.