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.


Venue map for Ellwood Thompsons
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21 Reviews

First Review by Tinavegan

Keyz2026

Points +4056

Vegan
08 Sep 2024

Virginia Grocery store

They have local vegan food. They have fresh fruits and vegetables. Great spot to get get vegan food items in the area. They also have The BEET Cafe.

Pros: Customer service , Location , Prices

TheTofuTyrant

Points +2135

Vegan
19 Feb 2024

Best grocery store ever

They have clearly labeled vegan wine!!!! I’ve never seen that before. They also have 2 lbs bags of nooch and so many other vegan staples. I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!! it’s a vegan paradise and they have non-food items like multivitamins, cook books, toothpaste, silicone reusable bags, etc. They also have a low-waste section where you can refill your coffee using reusable containers.

Updated from previous review on 2024-02-19

moontunes

Points +177

Vegan
28 Feb 2023

Variety & Quality

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!

Pros: Variety of Options, Prepared Food, Quality of Products

Cons: High Cost of Some Products

lmhewitt

Points +35

Vegan
12 Sep 2021

Great little store

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.

Pros: Loved the small bakery with GF Vegan items

emperdue

Points +1041

Vegan
09 Feb 2020

Great option for any food allergy

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.

Pros: Options for all allergies, Clearly marked

Cons: Expensive , Limited parking

mem2024

Points +450

Vegan
04 Feb 2020

Lovely place

Plenty of bulk food, sooo many grab and go vegan goodies, and super friendly staff. Love it!!

LauraSK

Points +13

Mostly Veg
31 Dec 2019

Love Elwood

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.

EllieR

Points +210

Vegan
29 Oct 2019

Expensive

Lots of choice for vegans, including freshly baked vegan cookies. Everything very clearly marked.
Price wise quite expensive in comparison to other supermarkets but organic produce and local products

jrm27

Points +30

Vegetarian
27 Jul 2019

Everything good is here

I’ve been shopping here for decades and watching this place grow and improve. Just keeps getting better!

Pros: Lots of vegan vegetarian options , First place to sell Beyond Meat products , Super friendly and helpful

Cons: None worth mentioning

Mitchel

Points +292

Vegan
06 Jun 2018

Incredible.

They carry Gardein products which are always good for a cheap quick meal.

Tons of fresh vegan bakery items...I ALWAYS get the chocolate cake. SO GOOD.

daviscoffey

Points +18

Vegan
25 Feb 2018

Favorite Store in the World

love this place so much. excellent vegan options. be sure to try their homestyle tempeh wrap if they have it

Pros: food, atmosphere

Cons: price

AbigailSkye

Points +25

Mostly Veg
04 Oct 2016

Great local market, lots of vegan options!

Great local market with daily hot/salad bar and soup. Made-to-order juice, smoothies, and coffee. Make-your-own sandwiches and Buddha bowls.
Health & 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

BrendaLiz

Points +211

Vegan
10 Sep 2015

Great place to shop

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.

Pros: huge, variety, service

eleutheromaniac

Points +130

Vegan
24 Aug 2014

Love this place! Wish I could afford it.

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.

Pros: Vegan friendly, Variety , All organic

Cons: Expensive!, Seriously, it's expensive!

SallyByrd

Points +27

Mostly Veg
04 Nov 2013

I love Ellwoods - my wallet doesn't

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.

Pros: fresh, great selection, comfy atmosphere

Cons: so pricey, can get really crowded

meredith

Points +556

Vegan
02 Apr 2013

Love this place...

... but it has gotten super expensive - especially their produce.

They 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

VeggieMurph

Points +28

Vegan
13 Nov 2012

Yum!

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!

Pros: Vegan cupcakes, Local, Yummy

Cons: A little pricey in some areas

pentagoth79

Points +104

Vegan
08 Apr 2012

Great buffet and foods to go

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.

Pros: Fast, Tasty, Vegan choices

Cons: Pricey

Rolandmh

Points +64

Raw
02 Sep 2011

Great grocery store

Nice selection. Local products. A few raw items on the salad bar. Wine!

Pros: Good selection, Local

cookiem

Points +5888

Vegan
30 May 2008

Vegan delights!

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!

Pros: kale, rice, muffins

Tinavegan

Points +32

Vegan
16 Jan 2008

Best Store EVEEERRRR!!!

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.

Pros: 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!




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