The Local Grocer — Restaurant in Conway

Aesthetic Nourishment and Sacred Commerce

Local Grocer occupies an enchanting interstice between sustenance and spirit—a rarefied locus where gastronomy intertwines with the metaphysical, and every object, edible or otherwise, seems to hum with quiet intentionality. It is not simply a boutique for alternative foods or a curio cabinet of spiritually inflected gifts; it is a curated experience of holistic enrichment, a sanctuary of sensorial and psychic recalibration.

From the moment one crosses its threshold, a subtle alchemy begins. The air is redolent with the complex fragrances of botanical infusions, spiced cacao blends, and beeswax candles—all interlaced with notes of palo santo and sandalwood, suggesting not commerce but consecration. The atmosphere is hushed yet welcoming, imbued with the unmistakable aura of reverence—for the body, the earth, and the ineffable.

Culinary offerings here are far more than mere dietary substitutes. The alternative foods—gluten-free breads that manage to defy all textural expectations, adaptogenic elixirs that blur the line between nourishment and ritual, hand-prepared vegan confections that evoke the sacred geometry of taste—are imbued with both flavor and philosophy. To consume them is to partake in an ethos, one that honors sustainability, well-being, and a deep ecological awareness. Each ingredient seems chosen not only for its nutritional integrity, but for its symbolic and energetic resonance.

Equally compelling is the metaphysical curation. Crystals of remarkable clarity rest beside hand-bound journals, tinctures shimmer alongside esoteric decks of oracle cards, and ceramics—each irregular and exquisite in its imperfection—suggest the touch of the maker’s soul. These are not mass-produced objects of fleeting novelty, but talismans—vessels of intention, beauty, and ancient wisdom. Whether one seeks a gift for a kindred spirit or an artifact for personal ritual, there is a pervasive sense that what one acquires here has the potential to shift something inward.

The staff, too, function less as transactional facilitators and more as gentle stewards of the space. Their presence is attentive but unobtrusive, and their knowledge—whether about dietary nuances or the metaphysical properties of labradorite—is both scholarly and intuitive. One senses that they are not merely employed here but aligned with the shop’s deeper purpose.

I,] is more than a place of purchase; it is a temple of conscious living. It affirms the notion that what we eat, what we gift, and what we surround ourselves with can serve as extensions of our inner landscape. In a world often characterized by spiritual disconnection and aesthetic fatigue, this shop is a restorative force—a gentle invitation to live, eat, and give with intention,...

This store one can only get some things at and only if your budget allows, it's not a real grocery store and more of a specialty shop with limited inventory resulting in few choices and not a grocery all can shop at as a result. Conway needs a food co-op; that will benefit the community and be involved with it in the way co-ops are; ie Concord Food Co-op, the one in Portland, the many in Vermont. All these co-ops have incredible inventory, offer sushi, hot soup, salad bar, produce that is incredible and local and serve as a one stop shop grocery store. Co-ops have a broader range of product and price range. This store does not serve the whole community, only those in certain income brackets and even then not as a grocery store. A co-op is more welcoming, has more presence and involves the community as well as serving it. Local Grocer Conway Food Co-op . . . the blueprint is there and would love to see it evolve. Also, the sushi in Conway is bad - the markets that carry it here use high fructose corn syrup, msg, phenylalanine and more and it's a junk food! It made us sick, whereas good real sushi is healthy and makes you feel good. The co-ops have amazing sushi, partnering with local sushi restaurants or small businesses to provide it for them. There is a lack of healthy fresh food in Conway. No salad bars at any of the markets. This store has fancy chocolate that's not what we eat everyday. May be good for vacationers / tourists etc and for a gift or holiday but we want to go there everyday and have options for healthy food that are more accessible. Sandwiches and soup are great but it's like a restaurant and specialty store not a grocery and no self serve, and a little too pricey. A Whole Foods would do great in Conway and would rather see a...

My wife and I stopped into this store several times during a recent four-day trip to North Conway. The grocery section was great with a solid selection, and there’s a very cool part of the store featuring handmade items from South America. I picked up a few alpaca stuffed animal keychains for my wife’s birthday, and she absolutely loved them. Unfortunately, on our last visit, we had a much less positive experience. While our earlier visits were great, this time a younger female employee (who seemed to be a bit hostile from the start) followed us around the store and rushed us toward the register before we were done shopping. Despite explaining that we just wanted to grab a few more snacks, she continued pressing us to check out. Then, in an accusatory tone, she questioned whether we had paid for one of the keychains my wife was already carrying, implying we might be stealing it. We explained we had bought it on a previous visit, but her attitude remained unpleasant. To try and lighten the mood, my wife asked for a local breakfast recommendation. The employee’s flat, cold response left us feeling pretty unwelcome. It’s a shame, the store has great products, and the other staff members were friendly, but this last interaction really soured the experience for us. Sadly, this wasn’t an isolated encounter in North Conway. Overall, we found the town surprisingly unfriendly, not what we would expect from a little mountain community. We've traveled all over the world (including living in Japan for nearly a decade), and have had beautiful experiences in all of them but this was one of the least welcoming places we've visited...