Natural Grocers — Local services in Salem

I genuinely wanted to like this place. I went to it alot actually before I finally got fed up and stopped going. When I first started going I noticed the employees would always stare at me and at first I thought it was because I was new to the area and I wasn't one of the regulars. But it kept happening and without fail no matter where I ended up at in the store there was always an employee 5 steps away from me. I had thought it was because they were super helpful but my hopes were dashed as the way the employees would act around me just seemed to degrade as I kept coming in. I always felt like I was being watched with hostility and I felt I had to dress up because heaven forbid I walk in looking scruffy I'd get tossed out on my bum. But the defining moment for me was when I was openly followed around the store by an employee. I hadn't realized at first I thought another customer was trying to make conversation. But then she was in every isles I was in. I actively tried to loose her and she would show up and try to talk to me. Well turns out she was an employee because she got scolded by her superior for talking to me because it was very obvious she thought I was stealing. I thought she was homeless. I was shocked. I had my doubts because no they're a cute neighborhood market and I've always paid why would they think I was stealing? Was it because I used food stamps? No it couldn't be because other shoppers have used them. Was it because I was Mexican? And you don't really see any brown people around there much? I sure hope not because I've seen other employees of ethnic origin. But what really broke the camels back was when I was standing in line and they were short on cashiers and an employee came up and called for the next customer aka me. And low and behold who is manning the register but the lady who wore a long purple jacket and had a red bob cut and thought I was stealing. I could see it on her face too, like she wasn't sorry she did it but was sorry she got caught. That was the last time I went to that store. A shame really because I love what...

You guys need to do something about your Salem location (this store). They DO NOT offer the same level of customer service as the one in Beaverton. The people in Beaverton are much younger but they're also grateful/excited about having a job whereas the ones in Salem are much older and you can tell they hate their job and life. Most are not friendly with customers because they have personal issues they haven't worked out and carry those issues into work (you can see it on their faces). Today was another example of poor customer service. I went into your store and told one of the ladies in the front (she works in body care and supplement section) that I parked my car on the side of the building because there's NO COVERED PARKING for US PET OWNERS. It's scorching hot outside and we couldn't find a shaded spot except right next to the building. I told her to let me know on the com if I needed to move my car. As we were shopping I noticed she told another clerk that my car was parked on the side of the building. The lady left and went to the back and then I hear "There's a Honda Civic parked next to the building that needs to be moved. Our delivery guy can't park." I immediately told my partner that I had to move the car and ran outside and to my amazement - NO DELIVERY GUY! My car was there all alone and there was no delivery guy. I ran to the other side of the building and no delivery guy or truck. Now, I'm super peeved. I move my car and run inside and told my partner that we're done shopping. We bought a few things but would have bought more if that didn't happen. The same lady that I informed about my car being parked next to the building was my cashier. She looked down and was really uncomfortable (no eye contact whatsoever) because she knew she was wrong, she knew she what she had done and felt bad. That's just rude! The delivery guy doesn't pay your bills, the customer pays your bills and keeps...

This is the second natural and health foods store in town and since it's conveniently located nearby some of my appointments, I've been shopping here recently over the last couple of months.

I have a love/hate relationship with this place. The store has family friendly marketing on their store label brand and they've got an extensive section for supplements and vitamins. The prices run from reasonable to expensive and they hardly ever seem to have any of their store label eggs in stock. I wasn't a fan of the almond butter I purchased from them. I get that sometimes you might find shell pieces in your ground nut butter, but quickly grew weary after multiple times chewing on shell pieces. Their website isn't user friendly as you can't really search for specific food items. Someone made a comment about COVID safety protocols. I noticed something similar on my last visit where a handful of folks weren't wearing a mask & even a couple of mask-less women held up the bulk aisle chatting away. I keep thinking I should give this place a second chance but have been disappointed the last couple of visits where I've been over/mis-charged over their discounted stock items. I may put this place on the back burner for a while and just keep my allegiance...