Blush Lane Organic Market Whyte Ave — Local services in Edmonton

Update July 17, 2024: It is unfortunate that I have to add a glowing compliment on top of these past reviews, as I do not want the former reviews to diminish Abul. That said, I've upgraded my rating, but Abul gets 5 stars, squared!

In recent past, I was limited to vendors offering organic liquid/heavy whipping cream. I had to resort to Blush Lanes as they were the only grocery store who had a steady supply of this product.

Low and behold, I was genuinely greeted as I entered and exited the store by a female who had the best, biggest, and most authentic smile. I was also blessed to have her address my purchase. Her name is Abul and is a Supervisor. She made my day and is the only reason I have returned to shopping at Blush Lanes.

Abul is liken to my organic heavy liquid whipping cream: Like all cream, it rises to the top. Abul personifies customers care, service, and experience. She is the cream of the crop and rises to the top every time I'm at the store.

Abul, thank you for your exceptional customer service and don't ever lose that smile. Paul

Update: April 29 2022: To date, I have spent shy of $4000.00 with your competitors, since I placed my review. Your loss; Their gain. I reckon I'll never step foot nor shop again at your store/company.

I will no longer be a patron at your store. I was asked to replace my linen/mesh face barrier and don a disposable “mask.”

Although I’m medically except (w/ authentic documentation on my person ), I wore my sanctioned face barrier (as per Bylaw 19408) out of respect for fellow patrons; moreover, I just had dental work above moments ago, and harbouring a face barrier thereafter was unacceptable and not advised by my DDS.

I arrived at your location to grab some soft and cool foods to ease the pain and offer comfort.

What I experienced today by your staff is detestable and is an aberration from current COE and CMOH mandates.

Before your staff start “policing”, they should be formally empowered and equipped with how to address peoples and know what they are enforcing.

Your company should be blushing with embarrassment and shame for your corporate policies.

The pleasantries I received in asking to comply is overshadowed by Blush Lanes’ ill adopted shopping protocol. Your staff should have quietly inquired rather than jump straight into the law and been so “legal” in their deportment.

Your customer service and experience is found...

I love Blush- the produce is stellar and while I find the bread particularly expensive, much of the other products are relatively reasonable for the quality.

I went in to shop earlier this week and was greeted by a person who explained the COVID-19 regulations in detail, provided hand sanitizer and a cleaning solution to sterilize the carts and baskets. I was also requested to practice good social distancing and stay 2m apart from others. This was good to see, along with the sneeze guards.

Yet, the management of patrons has serious room for improvement.

Without arrows directing the flow of traffic, I was constantly trying to dodge people to ensure physical distancing.

Several times, I entered an empty aisle looking for a specific product, several other patrons who entered after me would stand much too close rather than going to another aisle or just waiting for me to finish. I had to ask several people to step back until I was finished. They did not comply.

The shopping carts along the check-out aisle also prevents people who are paying to properly observe physical distancing as when they leave with their bags and have to walk (within a foot or two) of other patrons who are paying. They don't really have a choice to go around.

I don't know if some aisles need to be dismantled to provide more walking space, or what, but I hope Blush is seriously working on improving things. No Frills and Safeway (admittedly bigger companies) have very good patron-management and could offer...

Blush Lane sits inside a building steeped in organic, new-age, vaguely culty vibes. Think: crystals, kombucha, yoga for your inner child, and employees who speak like they’re channeling a spirit guide but panic if you make eye contact. Social skills are optional, but a nose ring and at least one food sensitivity appear mandatory.

The place is packed with boomers on a gut-health crusade and rich people cosplaying as hippies while spending $20 on moon-charged chia pudding while perfecting their performative eccentricity. It’s like a Whole Foods hosted a Burning Man afterparty for trust fund kids.

One employee was so aggressively miserable my dandelion roots wilted as I walked past. At one point, I overheard him casually mention he wanted to punch someone in the face — which was spoken with surprisingly calm intensity for a man standing ten feet from a shelf of chakra candles.

By the time I left the shop, my aura had the emotional weight of a damp gym sock. I had to limp upstairs to my shaman, who confirmed that my chakra was clouded and my energy field was deeply toxified. He recommended a full cleanse with a side of therapy. So if you decide to visit, take care not to trigger the radioactive rage that man was radiating from behind the kale.

Pros: Solid selection of organic foods, nice bakery, occasional discounts on items, discount day once a month, clean...