Whole Earth Grocery & Cafe — Restaurant in Gatlinburg

Whole Earth Grocery, good things for the body and soul? What wasn’t good for my soul was how my dad and I were treated when visiting there for the 1st and the last time. We decided to check out the local grocery store as we both love to support small businesses. Upon entering, I asked if they had a public bathroom. I was told no, which is totally fine. I know some businesses allow usage & others don’t. We browsed around and I noticed the young lady kept popping up asking if I needed anything. It seemed nice at first but then started to feel like I was being watched. My dad decided to leave to go use the bathroom at the pancake place across the way as he’s 73 and can’t mess around with bathroom breaks. As I was leaving, I partially over heard a couple asking the employee a question and she responded to them that “yes we do, it’s down the hall on the left”. I left because I wanted to grab my spouse who was at Dahls Chainsaw Art Gallery. I thought he would really like some of the items for sale at the grocery store. We both love antiques and there were items I thought he’d want to buy. As I’m walking back into the store I see this couple exiting. I asked them if they knew where the bathroom was. They politely said yes, it’s down the hall on the left. It turns out they do have bathrooms for public use, it just depends on the color of your skin. The Caucasian couple was allowed to use the bathroom but my dad and I who have olive skin color were not allowed. As I walked into the store, I saw the young lady bolt towards the older lady and whisper something to her. They both made eye contact with me and I knew right then and there they were talking about us. I’m assuming they were talking about how they got busted being racist. My husband was livid and said there’s no way I will spend a dime in this place. When I left the shop it felt like a punch to my gut. I felt sadness, anger and sick too my stomach the remainder of the day. The way my dad and I were treated was not good for our soul. BTW, my husband spent close to $1K between the chainsaw shop, the Spinery shop and the jam and jelly store. I’m sure my money isn’t too brown for you but I refuse to support a business who treats people based on the color of their skin. Did you think my 73 year old father was going to put graffiti on the walls or steal your toilet paper? Shame on you. I hope you get the business you deserve! I hope others read this and decide to shop where all customers are...

I was excited to find this store as I am a person who values my health and strives to live a healthy lifestyle. Living a healthy lifestyle not only includes healthy eating and using products that are more natural but also believing in my immune system and not discriminating against people who don't have the same beliefs as I do. On that note, a positive mindset also is on the top of my list because of its health benefits including, but not limited to an increased lifespan, lower rates of depression, and resistance from many illnesses (including Covid-19). However, my experience at this so proclaimed "complete NATURAL foods store and café" left me with the complete opposite impression of what this store stands for.

When I first walked in, I was greeted with a big sign with a mask pictured on it saying that those who are NOT vaccinated have to wear a mask and those who ARE vaccinated don't have to wear a mask. This was a shock to me seeing as this was a NATURAL foo store! Most people I know who follow an organic, whole-food, natural diet and lifestyle know very well that vaccines are NOT natural, to say the least. Not to mention how discriminatory this store is to those people who chose not to get vaccinated or discriminate against people who may have medical conditions that forbid them from getting the Covid vaccine. Did we forget history? Have we already forgotten about the segregation of people because of their skin color or the Jewish badge to segregate Jews from the rest of the population and reinforce their inferior status? This is what this store is doing and it's sickening!

I do understand that stores have the right to refuse service and I would like to note that I wasn't refused service. However, as I walked into the store with my smile showing, the person working there met me as I was walking with the biggest look of disgust I've seen my entire time in the Gatlinburg area. She did not greet me and she acted as if I had the plague and tried to stay far away from me as she proudly wore her virtuous "I got my Covid Vaccine" button. She was completely rude and I would NEVER, EVER shop at this store again in the future. From their website, "Our company is based on the belief that our customers' needs are of the utmost importance. We are committed to meeting those needs." Well, my needs were not met and you did not earn a...

Great place among all the madness! We were looking for a quiet place to pop by for a quick lunch and found Whole Earth Cafe. I had the tuna salad with the balsamic vinaigrette and a side of egg salad and my husband had the lentil burger with the potato salad. Everything tasted really good! My salad was fresh and the tuna salad had pickles and celery like I love. The egg salad was way too salty but I ate it anyway. The lentil burger was delusions but the winner was the potato salad. I don’t even typically like potato salad and it was the bomb. Gluten free bread available for sandwiches and vegan/veg options. We sat outside with our dog at the only table, otherwise I would assume it’s a take out place. Cute little grocery store as well with healthy options. We got an orange juice and a seltzer water as well. There’s a sign on the trash to not put anything with food into it so if you do stay, just take it inside bc apparently there’s a bear that pays them a visit each morning and checks the bin!...