Groceries & Markets in Encinitas

Estheticians salvage facial surfaces with a custom European facial treatment that is appropriate for all skin types. Deep cleansing gently seeks out dirt and oil hidden deep in the pores with the skill of a preschooler playing hide-and-seek with thermal-vision goggles, as exfoliation sloughs off dead skin cells to reveal younger-looking skin. A mask and skin booster rejuvenate moisture levels, and an accompanying massage of the face, neck, décolleté, arms, hands, and shoulders releases tension pent up from chicken dancing without preparatory chicken stretching.

Before shoppers at Carlsbad Ranch Market even step into the store, they are greeted with fresh produce resting in wooden crates just outside the door. Whether or not they decide to pause and check out the cornucopia of fruits and veggies, once they step inside they’ll face mountains more. The family-owned shop is dedicated to sustainability, bringing local and seasonal produce and locally made household goods to its customers as affordably as possible. The store’s stock of produce also fills an in-house vegetarian salad bar and a soup-of-the-day selection, which, like an un-oiled tinman doing the macarena, rotates regularly.

At CB’s Cupcakes, the customer has complete and total control, and founder and owner Connie Barham wouldn’t have it any other way. The cupcake connoisseur opened the shop under the premise of why not let the customer choose—even for walk-in orders—and she’s been operating that way ever since. She spirals five frostings, such as chocolate buttercream or peanut butter, across the top of five types of cake: vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, key lime, and the flavor of the month, such as blueberry or cran-orange. Then, she tops off the mini or muffin-sized cakes with an array of fixings, such as sprinkles, graham-cracker crumbs, or mini M&Ms.

Connie, who sells the handheld treats at her two storefront locations and at various fairs around the state, doesn’t mind feeding furry companions either. She welcomes dogs to wait outside her colorful Victorian-themed shops, offering them water bowls and even bakeing them canine-friendly cupcakes made from healthy ingredients.