Microgrocery Stores

For over two years, we’ve been visiting, sharing, and reporting on microgrocery stores—also known as Shoppy Shops, a term coined in Emily Sundberg’s viral article—around Los Angeles. As designers in the food CPG world, we were intrigued by this new breed of store, distinct from the regular grocery stores we shop at on weekends. These […]

As a Los Angeles-based design agency, we’ve witnessed the devastation the recent fires have caused throughout the city. The whole city has been impacted by the fires whether large or small. Now, more than ever, we feel a deep responsibility to give back to our community. One small way we’ve chosen to do that is […]

The name says it all – much like the avant-garde Dada art movement, Dada Market is a rejection of the ordinary, offering a highly curated selection of products that feel fresh and exciting compared to your conventional grocery store. Dada Market opened in December 2023 (happy one year anniversary!) on the bustling Sunset Ave. in […]

Since the Helms Bakery District in Culver City underwent its revitalization in the early 2000s, something essential has been missing. Over the years, the area has blossomed into a vibrant commercial hub, attracting hip, upwardly-mobile Angelenos with its array of shops and restaurants. But one key piece of the neighborhood’s history was absent: the bakery […]

Bi-Rite Market in San Francisco is a beloved neighborhood grocery store known for its commitment to high-quality, locally sourced products. Some may say it’s the OG microgrocery store. Founded in 1940, the market has evolved from a small corner store into a thriving community hub. With a focus on sustainability and supporting local farmers, Bi-Rite […]

LA HOMEFARM is a neighborhood microgrocery store tucked in the corner on busy Eagle Rock Blvd in Cypress Park. It’s close to other neighborhood favorites Dunsmoor and Bub’s and Grandma (who they do carry!). LA HOMEFARM is owned / run by Lauri Kranz and Dean Kuiper. It is the first brick-and-mortar store from Kranz’s company, […]

“Everything is bigger in Texas” might apply to most things in Austin, but not Tiny Grocer. The name says it all. Tiny Grocer is probably one of the smallest in Austin especially compared to the Whole Foods Lamar store and Home Depot size HEBs. Located at the end of busy South Congress sits Tiny Grocer […]

If you didn’t believe Melrose Hill is the next “it” spot, enter LA Grocery + Café, the newest addition to the area. LA Grocery + Café goes beyond just a new trendy market, its goal is to become a neighborhood destination for anyone of any economic status to find exactly what they wanted – making […]

This isn’t our first time writing about Cookbook. However, we thought it is worth it to bring it back to the Microgrocery Series to do a 2.0 version, which is what Cookbook did with their new Larchmont location. Since Jon and Vinny, famous chefs of the LA restaurant scene, bought this once, hole in the […]

“Fresh” isn’t just a part of the name, and Carla’s Fresh Market isn’t your average neighborhood grocery store. Owner Ariell Ilunga wants to do things differently, and to stand out from the current crop of boutique grocers popping up around Los Angeles. From their hiring practices, to the produce and products they source, Carla’s Fresh […]