So many great choices for bulk food, candy, spices, and tea/coffee. Tuesdays are the best times for senior citizens. There's 10% off for seniors. The same gentleman is there to answer questions and ring up purchases. The outside says home economist, but don't be fooled by the old sign. read more

The bulk selection and food was amazing. Employees were very helpful. The overall theme of the business and prices were amazing as well. read more

A nice variety of items in this store. I like to buy my spices here, and I always end up buying their chocolate covered pecans. Sometimes I also buy my noodles here, since you can buy only the amount you want. I will also pick up some candy for my grandchildren here, since you can buy as much or as little as you want. And they have lots of interesting things to buy. read more

Update: I have now been back multiple times and it's almost a monthly trip for our family! I don't know what they put in their Italian seasoning blend (although I could find out because ALL signs have a full ingredient list), but it is a staple in our house and I won't buy it anywhere else! We almost always find something new to try here. As I get more and more into homemade everything, you can't beat the prices and quality from Bulk Fresh. read more

I'd put off visiting and now wish I hadn't. While this store has a huge candy section (Albanese - Brach's - Jelly Belly - rock candy - bulk chocolate items) they also carry powdered soup mixes, nuts, powdered dressings, dried fruits, various gluten free flours, honey, coffee, dried pulses, even pastas and flavored gelatin dessert mixes. The spice section takes up most of a wall and includes items such as epazote which I've never seen in a bulk store. There's also a selection of decorative plastic bags suitable for packing your bulk items for gifting; plastic containers; tea balls and various specialty utensils; houseplants (?!) and you can grind your own peanut butter if you're feeling brave. You don't need to write the PLU code on the bags as the staff knows the prices. (Zip lock bags you can write on are available with the spices so you know what you bought when you get home). So I now have a place to restock my spices and pick up a couple of chocolate goodies (cordials!), while the clearly marked ingredients on the bulk candy will keep me from going overboard on Mellocreme pumpkins. read more

I love the store. It's the only place I can get small amounts of flours and spices and other bulk items.

Been there since the 70's and it's great. They have everything from vanilla beans to cheese.

They have everything!! Fresh honey, great coffee beans that are affordable and can grind there. Nice workers!! read more

If you bake this is the best place to shop. Every imaginable type of flour, flavor extracts, and sugars. All sold by weight so you can purchase just what you need for even a single recipe. read more

A blast from the past! My mother took me here as a young lad. I stumbled across it when I was getting some Subway nearby. This place still rocks. I spent over 50 bucks and didn't feel bad about it. They have everything you need in the right portions. No one I know needs a full sized container of Cumin, why not get a small amount that you will use and not throw out when it expires. They have coffee, peanut butter, candy, spices, and the best orange cheese powder. The strip mall it's in is sadly dying but please support this business because they have everything you need and the prices are great! read more

While the sign on the building still reads "The Home Economist" even years after the business changing, for the most part it continues to be better than Home Economist. The employees are super friendly and are willing to assist with needs and questions. Often I see just one employee but the last couple times there have been two employees. The signage within the store is good and labels on the bins of products are cleanly printed with ingredients and allergy information. While prices are also clearly printed on the labels what you don't see are sales and highlights for seasonal ingredients. A little bling and promotion would be a nice addition to the products. This most recent visit had about a dozen bins of regularly stocked items being empty. A note giving the next arrival date would be easy and would also reduce the frequency of customers wandering to the counter to ask about the products. I did find that the scoop for dried pineapple tidbits had weeks (or months) of sulfite and sugar residue stuck to it in a way that made it harder to scoop with. They must have a sink and dish detergent, right? One of my favorite things is their nice variety of dark chocolate bars and bits. While I enjoy a good 60% to 70% cacao, I like some of the unique flavors that have recently become available like a 50% cacao with cashews and caramel. Parking is always available in the oversized lot although some patching and painting would be nice. read more

See all

I've been going here since it was Home Economist. Since the 90's. Really like the store. Always clean & has friendly staff.

I wanted to love it but the candy was old. Dried out peanut butter cups, airheads & warheads melted to their wrappers. I didn't try the nuts or spices , maybe I'll try again? read more

This store reminded exactly of the old one in La Grange! They had everything I was looking for, and it was clean and organized. I love their assortment of candies, nuts, flours, and all other miscellaneous goodies! I'm so glad they stuck to same set-up and inventory. This one beats out the location in Elk Grove Village by far! read more

So glad I found out about this place! I'm aiming to have a "Zero Waste Home" and brought my glass jars, which they weighed and marked in advance on the bottom, so I wouldn't be paying extra for the weight of the jar. They have lots of variety here, gluten free flour and many different grains, nuts, spices and tea with a huge section of candy too! I'll be a regular customer from now on! read more

I just visited the Bulk Fresh Pantry (formerly Home Economist) and it was just fine. Still the same place it was for me to purchase spices and snack items. Never really did shop the 'gourmet' food items so can't comment on to that end. But everything else seemed to be in place, meaning the items I expected to be there were there - and it seems to have expanded the dried bean/ soup mix area. Arrived at opening- right after the father and daughter opened up shop. Both were very pleasant and the store was clean. read more

Formally known as the Home Economist, There used to be a location in Lagrange we would visit frequently as children. I'm so happy I've found this Westmont location! Everything is always so fresh and this location is very clean. They have a great selection and the employees are friendly and helpful. We travel from Plainfield to visit and it's always an enjoyable experience. read more

I've been going there since 1974 when it was officially The Home Economist! Great selection of candy, nuts, coffee, tea and baking supplies. Also different mixes for soup and salad dressing and such. Love to see some of the candy and gum we used to buy as kids in the 60's. Used to have a cheese section but unfortunately that is gone. Great place!! read more

This store is a dream come true! I can find spices, ALL different kinds of flour, a variety of nuts and dried fruits, coffees, teas, fresh honey, bulk candy every kind imaginable If you love to cook. You'll love this store! read more

Great store. I love their selection of spices. Being able to purchase hard to find chili powders, for example, is a real plus. But they, of course, have a wide variety of other things, from nuts to coffee to baking supplies. I make a trip every week or two. read more

I liked this place a lot better when it was still, as the sign on the building says, The Home Economist. Now it seems like it's more of a specialty candy shop than anything else. They do still have a fairly limited quantity of bulk spices and other cooking items but it's a shadow of the old store. Also, there were a lot of empty bins and the person working did not acknowledge me, either as I was coming or going, when I was always greeted before. Not somewhere I will go out of my place to visit again. Rather sad. read more

I LOVE BULK FRESH! From spices and seasonings to any kind of flour you can imagine, your baking and cooking needs are covered! I'm constantly impressed by the selection and upkeep. I haven't purchased candy here, but definitely a go to place for me! It's also great for when I'm making a unique recipe and don't want to buy a whole bottle of a seasoning! read more

I love this store!! Everything is still the same... Jessica G... They have removed the back bins (empty bins) and have pushed everything towards the front of the store. Same friendly people who have been working there for years! Great prices, spices, and candy. Any type of flour or nut you need! 5 stars all the way! read more

Tons of assorted candies, spices, nuts, and other ingredients here. Been coming back for months to make my own trail mix at very reasonable prices. read more

This place is amazing! The people who work in this store are incredibly knowledgeable about their products and can answer any questions regarding a new spice or candy you want to try. They also are wonderful with their customers! I am in this store at the very least 2 times per week to get bulk poppy seeds that are required for a polish cake that I make and sell in my bakery, so I see them interact with other customers and of course, myself. They are so considerate and patient with ALL customers with any questions at all. After only my second week in finding this gem of a store all employees recognized me and knew what products I was interested in (beyond my basic seed order). I call the store a gem because a lot of the products I need.. Especially poppy seeds.. Are so expensive! This store has the best price per pound by at least a $3.00 margin in comparison to all other bulk stores I've gone to. That's an 'at least' estimate. Compared to the more popular "chain bulk stores" the prices have a difference of $4.00+, depending on which bulk store you'd otherwise choose. In addition to that this store has every kind of nostalgic candy that you could imagine. As a child growing up in the 80s and 90s this place is heaven for your childhood treats. In more than one case if they were out of the product I needed they would take my phone number and call me as soon as the product was in and would hold what I needed until I was able to get there. Which of course shows again the wonderful customer service here. It's also very clean, well organized, and smells like heaven when to walk in. I hope that if you are looking for a bulk candy or spice store you would absolutely choose Bulk Fresh Pantry. The reason I am writing such a long review is so I can do my part in getting them as many customers as possible to come and check out this wonderful little store! That way I know that the little treasure of a store I found will stay open forever and make as many people just as excited about food, spice, flavor and nostalgic treats as I am!!! Go and check it out!!! You'll be so happy you did! I promise!! read more