Natural Grocers — Local services in Beaverton

I am not sure why I always felt unwelcome in this store (perhaps I am the wrong type of customer), especially by staff at the checkout. They seem to be always quite unhappy and treat some customers with contempt. I only bought three items and I proceeded to a vacant checkout where nobody except the cashier was waiting. As soon as I approached the lady at the cashier, she put her hand out to stop me from proceeding and said something that I did not understand. She pointed at some groceries that were sitting by the counter (not even on the conveyer belt). I then decided to wait in line for the other counter. For about 5 minutes I looked a few times at the other counter. The first cashier lady was staring at me all the time and was still waiting for that other customer to arrive. When my turn came to proceed with putting my groceries on the belt, I was getting quite frustrated. I told the second cashier lady that her colleague could have put the other customer on hold if they are not ready and completed my purchase in about one minute. The lady at the second cashier did not seem to care and told me to wait until the customer in front of me paid for her groceries. After I paid for my groceries, the second cashier did not even bother asking me if I wanted a receipt (I work in retail and it is a basic service to ask the customer if they need a receipt). I walked a couple of steps thinking that the receipt would be inside the bag of groceries. When I discovered that there was no receipt, I walked back and asked the 2nd cashier lady for the receipt. She said there was no receipt. When I insisted that I needed a receipt, she reluctantly went through the trash can and finally found my receipt ripped halfway through the middle. Needless to say, that there were neither thanks nor apologies in all these interactions. I would not recommend going to this store because of how certain customers are treated. I now understand the review sent by the local guide (Mark Johnston) about three months ago regarding this store’s staff’s discriminatory behaviour. Perhaps the staff think that they are better than others because they sell high-end groceries and not everybody should shop there. You don’t have to look around too long to realize that the store’s staff all come from one ethnic group and perhaps they only respect people from that group. Either way, I would like to say to them...

I have been shopping here almost exclusively since it has opened. Usually, the staff if compassionate, friendly and helpful. Today I arrived one minute after 8pm, when they usually close at 9:35pm, and was turned away. After, taking a moment I called back at 8:05 to asked if I could please be helped real quick for tampons I really needed and could not get anywhere else. I was put on hold to see if a cashier was available. The cashier returned to explain to me why they close at eight so the cashiers can be done at 8:05 so they can help with restocking and etc, and to return back in the morning when they open to get them. But I have been here many times since Covid and never seen a sign nor have there hours on the door been adjusted. I just needed tampons, specific tampons. Five minutes, would not have effected the extra hour they had to work. I know I’ve worked these jobs. Not only are these the only tampons that fit and work for reasons I shouldn’t have to explain to anyone in order to have some compassion to help get them. I had an unexpected foot surgery yesterday and have been unable to drive let alone get up to walk around for much more than a bathroom trip because of it and the meds I have been on. And, no, no one has been able to help either. So, while yes, I will continue to use toilet paper because I don’t have rags, and continue to bleed out onto my clothing and sheets because I can’t afford to waste time on my foot or money on tampons that won’t fit and I will have a reaction to, plus waist some of the 60$ I have left as a single mom because I can’t work due to Covid. Not that big of a deal, just is what it is. Just saying, five minutes for me to hobble to get some tampons, be checked out, and hobble out, really wouldn’t have been to much effort for one cashier. And would have made a big difference in someone’s life. I didn’t tell the cashier all of this but do I really need to given the circumstances? Maybe just a little compassion ya never know what someone else is going...

I discovered this store after years of shopping at New Seasons because it is closer to me, but after so many obvious staff changes after it changed from being local to just another corporation, I decided to shop elsewhere. I was astonished on so many levels. My grocery dollar goes further and my shopping time has dropped! Prices are fantastic. Just for example, Applegate Turkey Bacon is $3.75 compared to $5.99! Lower prices are across the board and that's worth the drive. Bulk items are conveniently prepackaged at great prices. They have a particular philosophy which the company was founded on in 1950 and they have never changed that for increased profits. Produce is only organic and they do not sell alcohol, a high profit item because of the company principles. But there are plenty of alternative drinks and the wellness area is almost as large as the food department. They offer classes, a great newsletter AND they REWARD you for being a customer by giving you credit for dollars spent. I like to support Food Front Cooperative as well, but if shopping dollars matter as much to you as they do to me, I suggest you get familiar with Natural Grocers. I used to shop almost everyday at New Seasons because I was hypnotized by the shopping experience (I'm a foodie) but now I shop once a week and am saving hundreds of dollars per month. How? I just stick to the basics, get in, get out. Good food...