When I booked my trip to California, I had a few essentials on my list: visit the beach, eat my way through LA’s food scene, and—yes—step foot inside an Erewhon for the first time. But not just any Erewhon. I was determined to experience their newest and much-talked-about location in Glendale. And let me just say: it absolutely lived up to the hype.

From the moment I walked in, I could tell this wasn’t your average grocery store. This place is clean—like immaculately clean. It’s the kind of clean that feels intentional, not just surface-level. The floors were gleaming, the shelves were perfectly curated, and every product seemed like it had been chosen with extreme care. It was less like shopping and more like stepping into a curated wellness experience.

You can tell Erewhon takes its presentation seriously. Everything is aesthetically pleasing—from the placement of the adaptogenic teas to the refrigerated wellness shots that look more like luxury perfumes than drinks. Every label faces forward, every corner of the store is organized with an almost museum-like precision. There’s a rhythm to the space that makes you want to slow down and soak it all in. Even the produce section had this glow about it—avocados stacked like art, greens so vibrant they looked fake (but weren’t).

But here’s the thing that really struck me: being part of Erewhon, even just as a shopper, feels like an accomplishment.

You see, Erewhon doesn’t just sell things—they curate them. Getting your product on these shelves isn’t easy. The brand has a notoriously selective process, only choosing the cleanest, highest-quality, trend-forward products in the health and wellness world. Brands work for years to land Erewhon distribution. And when they finally do? It’s a moment. Like, press-release-worthy, Instagram-announcement-level big.

The Glendale location only amplifies this aura of exclusivity and prestige. The layout blends modern luxury with a neighborhood feel. There’s a cozy, sunlit café inside that invites you to grab a $20 smoothie (and no, I’m not exaggerating) and sit outside in the newly added outdoor area. It doesn’t feel like an overpriced health store—it feels like a lifestyle hub. A place where you’re encouraged to take your time, ask questions, and maybe even bump into a celebrity or two while you debate between sea moss gel flavors.

As a visitor from out of town, I felt like I was getting a peek into a very particular California culture—one that values wellness, aesthetics, and community. And honestly? It was refreshing. There's something motivating about being in a space that’s so intentional. You feel like you want to take better care of yourself just by walking through the doors.

And let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: Erewhon is expensive. Wildly so. But that’s part of what makes it so fascinating. It's aspirational. It doesn’t try to appeal to everyone—and maybe that’s the point. Erewhon knows exactly who it’s for, and in Glendale, it’s planted its roots in a vibrant, diverse community that’s clearly ready to embrace this next-level health destination.

I left the store with the new Travis Scott Storm Storm smoothie. Whether you think it’s overpriced or overhyped, there’s no denying this: they’ve created a space that people want to be part of—and that’s powerful.

If you find yourself in Southern California anytime soon, do yourself a favor: visit Erewhon Glendale.