Sell many vegan and vegetarian items plus organic produce, vitamins, imported grocery. Deli and salad bar to-go or sit-down. Open Mon-Sun 8:00am-8:00pm.
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Last update on 22 Mar 2023 by Guest
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23 Reviews
First Review by Tinavegan
moontunes
Points +177
Variety & Quality - Edit
Elwood Thompson’s turned out to be a great place to lunch before my wife and I explored Carytown in Richmond, VA. It’s an establishment that visibly and actively epitomizes its mission of quality products, community service, and environmental care through its product selection, staff demeanor, and company practices (such as collecting rainwater in a barrel with a spigot on the bottom for watering plants). They offer a wide variety of products, from prepared foods to bulk items to supplements. We found that prices on some items seemed reasonable while those on others seemed high (compared to our experiences at stores such as Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and local food co-ops). We easily found prepared lunch dishes, which were made from high quality ingredients and ended up tasting delicious. There were plenty of Plant Based/Vegan options, and even oil-free options (and those dishes and sides with oil were all made with olive rather than some cheaper, unhealthier oil). I got a Chana Masala meal of well seasoned chickpeas and couscous, a hearts of palm salad, and a black bean patty. We dined outside (there’s a nice selection of picnic, high top and conventional tables), after which we went back in to order from the smoothie bar. I had the Brain Buzz, made with coffee, almond milk, dates, cocoa powder, cacao nibs, banana, and almonds. We left the car in the parking lot and walked down Cary Street, sipping on our tasty smoothies whilst window shopping and taking in the sunshine. Once we returned to the car, I ran in to get a zero calorie carbonated drink for the road from a refrigerated display case featuring a variety of unique beverages. We look forward to returning to Elwood Thompson’s next time we’re in Richmond!
Read morePros: Variety of Options, Prepared Food, Quality of Products
Cons: High Cost of Some Products
Guest
lmhewitt
Points +35
Great little store - Edit
This place reminded me so much of the Co-op in Ithaca, NY on a slightly smaller scale. Organic produce, nice little bakery section with fresh baked Vegan and Gluten Free Vegan treats. Deli section with Vegan choices including potato salad. This would be my go to shopping place if I lived in Richmond.
Read morePros: Loved the small bakery with GF Vegan items
Guest
emperdue
Points +1041
Great option for any food allergy - Edit
The grocery portion of the store is full of unique and diverse finds! I loved that everything was clearly marked as well, so there is no guessing what a product contains. There are lots of gluten free option as well as egg or nut free, for those that are allergic. The hot bar is very good (and clearly marked) as well, just quite pricy.
Read morePros: Options for all allergies, Clearly marked
Cons: Expensive , Limited parking
Guest
mem2024
Points +450
Lovely place - Edit
Plenty of bulk food, sooo many grab and go vegan goodies, and super friendly staff. Love it!!
Read moreGuest
LauraSK
Points +13
Love Elwood - Edit
Always a great place. They have ready made food as well as a general grocery store. They have tons of vegetarian, vegan, and for those who need gluten free options! Be sure to check out the ready made section and bakery.
Read moreGuest
EllieR
Points +210
Expensive - Edit
Lots of choice for vegans, including freshly baked vegan cookies. Everything very clearly marked.
Read morePrice wise quite expensive in comparison to other supermarkets but organic produce and local products
Guest
jrm27
Points +30
Everything good is here - Edit
I’ve been shopping here for decades and watching this place grow and improve. Just keeps getting better!
Read morePros: Lots of vegan vegetarian options , First place to sell Beyond Meat products , Super friendly and helpful
Cons: None worth mentioning
Guest
Mitchel
Points +292
Incredible. - Edit
They carry Gardein products which are always good for a cheap quick meal.
Read moreTons of fresh vegan bakery items...I ALWAYS get the chocolate cake. SO GOOD.
Guest
daviscoffey
Points +18
Favorite Store in the World - Edit
love this place so much. excellent vegan options. be sure to try their homestyle tempeh wrap if they have it
Read morePros: food, atmosphere
Cons: price
Guest
AbigailSkye
Points +25
Great local market, lots of vegan options! - Edit
Great local market with daily hot/salad bar and soup. Made-to-order juice, smoothies, and coffee. Make-your-own sandwiches and Buddha bowls.
Read moreHealth & Wellness section.
Lots of vegan options! Everything is clearly labeled so that you know what is vegan. I shop here multiple times a week.
Pros: lots of vegan options, clearly labeled ingredients, one-stop shop
Cons: expensive!, crowded at peak times
Guest
BrendaLiz
Points +211
Great place to shop - Edit
It's like a giant health-food haven, everything from full meals to snack, beverages, the whole shabang. Vegan options labeled and there's nothing you won't find! The smoothies were very unique and recommendable.
Read morePros: huge, variety, service
Guest
eleutheromaniac
Points +130
Love this place! Wish I could afford it. - Edit
This place is a vegan mecca. Hot bar, cold bar, juice bar, groceries, cosmetics and specialty items... It is packed full of wonders and goodies. There is an enormous downside however, and that is it's pricing. Ellwoods is crazy expensive. When you shop here, you are supporting organic, and local markets but all that comes at a very high price and it seems that Ellwoods is higher than it's nearby competitors.
Read morePros: Vegan friendly, Variety , All organic
Cons: Expensive!, Seriously, it's expensive!
Guest
SallyByrd
Points +27
I love Ellwoods - my wallet doesn't - Edit
I really love Ellwood's but it's become a special treat place for us. It's just too darn expensive, especially their fantastic food bars. I always end up piling on way more than I can afford and spending close to 20 bucks for lunch! A dangerous place to eat, unless money is not a concern for you. If that's the case then, well, lucky you.
Read morePros: fresh, great selection, comfy atmosphere
Cons: so pricey, can get really crowded
Guest
meredith
Points +556
Love this place... - Edit
... but it has gotten super expensive - especially their produce.
Read moreThey now have a coffee, juice and smoothie bar and local kombucha on tap. There's a wide variety of prepared foods and ready foods that are vegan - even have vegan and gluten free marked (on cupcakes, salad bar, hot bar, food cases, etc). The bulk section also has bulk spices. They have EatPastry cookie dough and local tofu.
Sometimes it's difficult to find someone to help you, though they are typically very friendly when you ask them for help. I waited about three minutes for someone to get me a cupcake last weekend... and I was the first in line. No one was there.
Pros: good variety , clean, Vegan stuff is clearly marked!
Cons: expensive, long waits for help
Guest
Pendre13
Points +19
Our favorite grocery store! - Edit
We live an hour away but travel the Ellwood at least once a month and stock up. We get the majority of our supplements here. Love the nondairy and frozen food sections. Have a small raw bar and great vegan options on the breakfast/lunch bar. Seasonal line caught fish and local farms supported here as well. My wife loves the vegan cupcakes from the bakery!
Read morePros: Great variety , Specialized items, Love the buffet/bakery
Cons: Wish they were closer to home!
Guest
VeggieMurph
Points +28
Yum! - Edit
This place is the best!!! Fantastically delicious and affordable vegan baked selection. The pineapple upside down cake and cupcakes were off the chain. So moist and ooey gooey. As well as many vegan options for food. Tons of local produce. I also love that they have bulk tincture dispensers. Definitely worth a visit!
Read morePros: Vegan cupcakes, Local, Yummy
Cons: A little pricey in some areas
Guest
pentagoth79
Points +104
Great buffet and foods to go - Edit
The store has a good variety of health foods but not necessarily the best prices. What I like is the good selection of vegan to-go food. They have nuggets, mac-n-cheese and other tasty foods. I recommend the chocolate vegan cake. They also have a nice selection on the salad bar.
Read morePros: Fast, Tasty, Vegan choices
Cons: Pricey
Guest
HoakieBS
Points +10
Wonderful Food bar - Edit
You can't find a better vegitarian or organic food bar in Richmond this side of Whole foods, but even they don't have the vegan selection and labelling of Ellwood Ts. I highly recommend it and they have tons of ethnic flavors.
Read morePros: Variety, Labelling, Taste Pallet
Cons: Pricey
Guest
Rolandmh
Points +64
Great grocery store - Edit
Nice selection. Local products. A few raw items on the salad bar. Wine!
Read morePros: Good selection, Local
Guest
cecemarg
Points +13
Ellwood Thompsons Vegan friendly - Edit
ET is the best place to find vegan sandwiches, entrees and desserts pre-made and ready to pick up and have a quick lunch or take home for dinner. They have a hot bar with vegan selections as well as the few meat picks. They have a basic eating area and a couple of tables outside. There is more non vegetarian food than there used to be. And too much space devoted to overpriced wine and cheese. No one who is health conscious buys expensive wine if they drink at all. It is part of a trend with health food stores to turn away from the "health" part of their name and try to be an upscale la-de-da gourmet shop. When I first started eating vegetarian, I shopped at a real health food store with bins and barrels and the basics not overprocessed packaged foods. But, Ellwood Thompson's does still carry vegetarian food, though not as good a selection as they used to.
Read morePros: healthy cuisine, friendly staff
Guest
vennahalo
Points +41
I miss ET - Edit
I have to say, is a NICE natural foods market. I'm in Portland Oregon now, which has a plethora of natural food markets peppered all over the city, and yet none of them quite match Ellwood when it comes to the deli area, especially.
Read moreThe deli area is what really makes me miss this store. They had awesome pre-made vegan wraps, sandwiches and salads of all types, just waiting. I used to enjoy grabbing some stuff and taking it to a park nearby.
The service is good as well. Only thing is it can get rather crowded quickly. It's in a compact place...
Pros: the vast vegan option in the deli, nice staff, little cafe area
Cons: can get crowded
Guest
cookiem
Points +5837
Vegan delights! - Edit
This store is delightfully surprising in its stash of vegan goodies and foodstuffs! There is a superb rice salad, great vegan burgers and tasty bbq tofu! Perhaps the tastiest is their kale with sesame seeds, I wish I knew how they made it so tasty! For the sweets fanatics, there are muffins, breads and oh yes, cinnamon rolls! If you're in the area, stop in, you won't be disappointed!
Read morePros: kale, rice, muffins
Guest
Tinavegan
Points +32
Best Store EVEEERRRR!!! - Edit
I heart ET to death, if I was without ET I don't know how I could be vegan. Ok I would cook every single meal instead of hitting them up for vegan bbq, indian food on the hot bar, vegan cupcakes, etc, etc!! Keep up the good work...staff rocks your face off with their knowledge & willingness to help you out.
Read morePros: all organic, all the time, no testing on animals on all beauty care, vegan fun stuff IE the slim jim!!!
Cons: want a restaurant, with ellwoods food, and juice and organic wine/beers!
Guest
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