I've passed Central Co-Op several times in Capital Hill and have been so curious to try them out. I'll be honest, I'm not much of a health expert, nor do I like healthy foods as much as other people desire them. But it was an alternative option as my grocery options were pretty limited late one Friday night. Coffee Bar was already closed, deli department was also closed, but few items to choose from the deli were in the refrigerated section, beer and wine department had an assortment of items to choose from. Yet alcohol wasn't on my agenda. What I did find was a few bakery items, breakfast burritos looked worth a try, and this was my first attempt to healthy sodas and fresh squeezed juices. Appreciated a staff that guarded the front entrance for safety and security. The cashier offered me to join and become a member. Membership fee was a bit high, although if I return more often, it might be a better investment. Almost all businesses in Capital Hill cater to the LGBT community, you will see rainbow flags flying at store fronts. Seattle is such an inclusive and diverse city. read more

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Paprika Roast Chicken is scrumptious. So are the grilled red potatoes and veggies. Helpful, courteous service. Pleasant cafe like setting with huge glass windows. Plenty of natural light overlooking a grand old tree. read more

A little pricy but fantastic selection of high quality food and vegan/vegetarian options. The produce was reasonable considering it's organic. If the benchmark is Whole Foods then these are great prices. What I especially love are the vegan hot foods. I picked up a tofu sandwich and it was so good I couldn't believe it came from a grocery store. I thought the staff was pretty friendly too. Coming from the Bay Area, this is like a smaller Rainbow Grocery (also a coop). I guess my main complaint is that I wish Central was bigger. read more

I used to love this place. I have been a member for over 12 years and I cancelled today. The staff used to love their customers and to help us. This is not the case these days and for the last few years. I would agree with other reviewers who state that the staff is unfriendly and I would even say that the staff is demonstrably displeased when customers ask them for anything. None of the staff present themselves with professionalism. There are other places to shop who appreciate their customers. read more

Workers are racist towards POC & will make you feel uncomfortable & unwelcomed. Avocados are $5 each... Cool ambiance of isles and layout but the energy of the workers kills it completely. Young girl working check out Monday closing shift didn't greet us back when we said hello, skipped to- are you a member? Rude energy. read more

I love this place. They have everything I need, most things are locally sourced/made by independent companies. It's feels amazing to be able to feel good about who I am shopping with. Plus friendly staff! read more

The staff are always super friendly and helpful, I don't quite understand in the other reviews how the service isn't meeting people's expectations. I go here at least weekly for *soft drinks with real sugar and interesting flavors *bread from local bakeries *ice cream *produce when I need something for a meal I'm cooking *water container refills *bulk spices The prices are higher than other options around town, however this is a locally operated coop and you can save money if you join as a member (one time purchase, no monthly payment nonsense). read more

Great produce, but worst customer service in town. Cashier was so rude for no reason.

Food: The main reason I come is to stock up on good, mostly organic food. Lately items on sale have been less expensive than at the big chain stores like QFC! There's a real variety of dairy products and really fresh fruit, vegetables and bulk nuts, grains, etc. Even bulk chocolate! Service is good and staff are paid a living wage. They'll answer your questions and restock if you ask. I enjoy shopping here: convenient location, clean store with easily accessible restrooms, and community. read more

Really wanted to like this place because it is based on a good concept, and has a great location. But..expensive, unfriendlly staff, not particularly clean, questionable meat quality, dairy that is over or close to expiration date (watch out!), and check out clerks (esp one, male) who are incredibly rude! Often the produce is not re-stocked and the shelves are quite empty, or things are simply wilted. Suggest PCC or TJs as an option, or something more remote, if you have a car. read more

I've been a member here since the mid-80's, when they were on 12th. OK, not all checkout clerks can be as beautiful and fun and perky as Gigi was back in '87. (My boyfriend had a big crush on her and we walked up the hill from the Cambridge next to the Convention Center three times per week, or more, to get groceries). So, l don't know what people are referring to about grumpy checkout clerks. Aren't most checkout clerks grumpy these days? Sure they are probably all Socialists trapped in a Capitalist society, so l understand. You really want Grumpville, head on down to the Whole Foods on Madison. This co-op has great local produce, fish, meat, bread, dairy and I love their deli and hot food. Also great local coffee beans and bulk section. So, five stars, even considering ridiculously small parking lot where you can't see the pedestrians coming up or down the sidewalk until your car is halfway into the street and, l hope they put the electric car chargers back in. STILL 5 stars! read more

Would give negative stars if that was an option. Horrible experiences here from supervisors, and Management. Have seen people get thrown to the ground for stealing and passive aggressive behavior from management (Doug)! The food is sub par quality from deli. I would recommend a different business for your health needs if you value your mental health also. Thank you. Also after being trespassed (informally for no apparent reason) do they profile customers? Apparently if you grab 2 moving boxes from the produce department and are already making your way out of the door. They can GRAB them violently from you if a customer asks an employee (even though you technically have the right to the boxes, and to not be HARASSED) , they will give the boxes to the other customer not the person who had them already. What the heck! Maybe I should hire a lawyer! read more

I love co-ops. And Central is no exception. The atmosphere always just feels a bit more comfy, cozy and homey. Personal highlights are in... ~ Produce: Love the colorful variety of organic potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, broccoli, ginger, apples. bananas and herbs. Oh, and the pre-cut ready-to-eat/cook containers are super convenient & awesome (great way to encourage more whole-food eating w/o the hassle of extra prep & cutting). ~ Household: Eco-friendly cleaners & sustainable supplies/tools. ~ Commercial aisles: EdenSoy Foods organic pure soy milk (original & unsweetened). Yummy dehydrated banana upcycled produce snacks from Barnana. ~ Deli: The hot bar coconut cilantro brown rice (although cilantro always seems to be lacking; would be cool if it was sufficiently mixed in the whole batch). The edges of the tin tend to get dry, though; they should mix it more regularly. Some of the case entrees sound delicious but the almost standard use of added oils is a turn-off to me. ~ Coffee/Smoothie bar: really good smoothies with added extra ginger = yum. I believe they also use preferred brand Oatly for oat milk. ~ Alternative cold section: local organic tofu (Island Spring), yummy soy product variety, jackfruit, tempeh, etc. ~ Snacks: Rare but when the itch wants a scratch, I get the Beanfields chips; they're my fav chip by far. Really cool and friendly neighborhood place. The staff generally are fairly pleasant although sometimes are those who feel kinda indifferent or "eh". Centrally located in east Seattle, on major bus routes and decent parking garage. read more

Wow looks like I wasn't the only one who had bad interactions with staff here. Checking out it looked like the staff was filled with employees doing some kind of bag inventory management and seemed annoyed that I needed to check out and take them away from that maybe. I tried to make a few light jokes and conversation but the employee seemed out of it and deeply apathetic. To me that indicates there's an issue with management and what it's like to work here so I hope Central can figure their issues out sooner rather than later because I can't see myself coming back here unfortunately and I feel like the real people suffering are the poor staff. Just walking in there's a weird heavy air that feels like the whole mood of the place is lowered. Feels a little dirty, the place is a bit small (it's capitol hill that's not too surprising) and the selection didn't leave me wanting to buy much after checking out the whole store. I'll stick to the plethora of better options for groceries in Seattle: PCC, Metropolitan Market, Asian Family Market, Uwajimaya, Whole Foods...You gotta really have something good to complete in this area for groceries! read more

All the food products are excellent. The people who work there are friendly and work very hard, their service is the best.

Good food, but watch checkout like a hawk and review your receipt before you leave. The checkout people are sloppy. I can't tell you how many times I've discovered that they scanned a single item multiple times and overcharged me. read more

I lived on Madison very very close to hear when the Occupy shindig really hit the sidewalk at a dead run, and I have to say I was impressed. They were SUAVE in there, while Trader Joe's a block away was lined up around the block all stiff as boards and mashed up, Co Op was fluid and selling. Impressive, because I bet the staff were nervous and flipping right out, but they held on. Also, I really thought they had a good deli, great prepared salads and sandwich's for when you wanted a grab and go, and a nice little coffee stand. I'd have gone absolutely crazy if I'd worked in there at the time, but I didn't. Also, it's actually in a really good location if you like to be able to pick up truly alternative leaflets and literature off of a well stocked rack. read more

Agree with others saying the staff is rude to certain people and they chat too long with others which creates longer lines. No self-checkout option. Prices are also marked up a lot. TJs, WFM, anything else is better. read more

Quick stop to get Malk organic milks - this is the only store in Seattle that carries this sprouted nut milk brand. I didn't get to spend a lot of time here, but they carry a handful of specialty items you can't find at Whole Foods. They have a parking garage which is a bonus! Depending on what you're looking for, this place is a little pricey almost similar to PCC's pricing. Produce looks pretty fresh, organic meats are on the higher end. They carry field day Organics which not a lot of places carry besides PCC. Overall, if I'm in dire need of Malk's, I'll drive downtown to cap hill for it. Other than that I'll just swing by if I'm in the neighborhood. I can find better deals at QFC, Thriftway or Whole Foods. It's a nice store for this neighborhood though. read more

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So many crappy interactions with the staff here. Terrible attitudes. I can't wear a mask for medical and religious reasons, I called and asked if I can shop in store. I was told that I can, so I did. Haven't had an issue with it until the other night when I was harassed and told I can't be inside by the manager. Stuck up loser who has no clue how to handle things maturely. read more

This place a good selection of fresh food. They are open late and the staff is usually very friendly. There are some items here that you can't find as easily elsewhere and that makes this place stand out. The prices can be a little hit or miss but there are deals to be found. I usually am in the wine and snack areas. They have really great natural gummy candies. However if you're looking for some plain or processed stuff you should look elsewhere. read more

A great store with a great bulk section. A excellent fresh produce selection and great seasonal items. The breads and pastries are fresh, a great Cafe during the daytime, deli, hot food, and juice bar, and they make vegan chocolate cake. Yummy! And if you can't cook these store has great prepared foods Togo sandwiches and salads. read more

As a first year post-grad real person who still hasn't lost my student stinginess, I was very wary of entering the Central Co-Op. I'm a huge sucker for co-ops and organic markets and just knew I was going to walk out of here with $30 of blackberries. Based on the astronomical grocery prices in this area and past experiences with PCC taking those astronomical prices and making them interstellar, I felt I was justified in my fear. I ended up coming here for the first time a few weeks ago because I'd heard they offered spices in bulk. I made a beeline to the garam masala, refilled my little jar, weighed it....$2? For real? Buzzed off this deal I'd found, I filled a quart jar with nutritional yeast....$4! $2 cheaper than the shaker cans at QFC and zero waste to boot. Bulk beans, grains, nuts, pasta, spices, flour, even popcorn are available here and are actually totally reasonably priced when compared to their packaged equivalents (unlike at QFC, which has a very pricey bulk section). This place makes it easy to see reducing waste as an actual possibility. I still don't do my weekly shopping here, but I am now a Central Co-Op bulk devotee. They have glass containers handy if you don't have your own for a surprisingly reasonable $2. If you're interested in reducing waste or branded packaging in your home this is the spot to make it happen! read more

Essentially my happy place. Great produce and products, albeit pricey but your supporting good causes and ethical production for the most part. The hot food counter is great, lots of veggie/vegan options. Workers here are great too and wine tasting on Fridays! read more

Very hard to find anything good to say about this store. I have tried so hard to like the Co-op over the years but they are too inconsistent and way too emotional in terms of customer service. I'm still shocked people actually go here on the regular.. Do yourself a favor and just hit PCC on 23rd and Union, definitely better options and more consistent hours and staff. read more

Ricky and Bill (staff members) were so helpful and kind at the register while checking out. I'll definitely be coming back, really great organic fruit selection here as well! Love and light xx read more

This is such a wonderful little co-op! Every time I think I have reached the end of the store I seem to find even more to explore. The aisles are a maze in the best way possible and the shelves are always being restocked with new and exciting goodies. Their bulk selection offers an astounding variety of items including usually a variety of the same type of item. They carry four different varieties of quinoa in the bulk section alone! I am so impressed by the bulk section. They also offer different bags, jars, and bottles for purchase in order to cut down on the waste from bulk sales. Instead of single use plastic baggies they have small paper bags for your convenience. The selection is pretty outstanding throughout the rest of the store as well and as a co-op member there are always things on sale or coupons to be found. It really encourages members to try new and exciting things! The deli inside is a bit pricey but it does have a great selection including some gluten free and vegan options! It is nice to be able to grab something on the go to snack on if I am really in a pinch. The staff has always been incredibly kind and welcoming to me and every shopping trip has been an absolute pleasure. I even went to surrounding groceries to do a price comparison on my staple kitchen items and the co-op was in a competitive price range! I am so glad to have found this little shop and I am sure that I will be a reoccurring customer for the duration of my time in Cap Hill. read more

I like to think of myself as a grocery store connoisseur lol. As I'm always fascinated to check out new stores as I've been in the grocery business. Wanted to check out this place as I was in Seattle and made my way up the street to take a look at this gem. It's a small store probably comparable to the size of a Trader Joe's or even more like Sprouts Farmers Market. However don't make assumptions based on the size. It's packed with a big punch as there's delicacies everywhere within. As I'm vegan, I was surprised at how many options that were available for me. The deli was mouthwatering as there were soooo many options. Kind of upset that I went to this place right after I chowed down at dinner as all of the options were having me feel some type of way. Frozen and grocery sections had great selections and reminded me of the Bay Area sprouts stores. Great dairy and bulk selections as well as tea, oil, and spices. Produce looked fresh and lovely. This place looked amazing, and the deli is sure what lured me in..from the fresh food to the packaged...options for everyone! I wish I had a central op in the Bay Area. It's very vegan friendly! read more

I received such nice service here today. I asked where "cheesecloth" was to a grocery clerk. She provided me with such great customer service. She immediate knew that it wasn't on hand and told me she'd check on stock / ordering. She went to the back and let me do my shopping and promised to hunt me down in the store and give me more information. It wasn't available (due to some ordering discrepancy). Not only did she do her homework in terms of researching the item availability, she researched future availability. Additionally, she walked me to a comparable item (some kind of natural cotton bag) and explained to me in detail how the item could be used as replacement for a cheesecloth. She knew the chemistry involved in cheesemaking and rattled off milk separation principles in detail. She offered me $2 off of the cheesecloth replacement and also a $2 discount on a cheese substitutue. As I'm no real cheesemaker, I opted to wait on the product that I've used in previous situations. What AMAZING customer service. I've never been treated so well in a grocery situation or offered so much attention for a simple affordable everyday item. I don't remember her name - some natural name? Rain? Forest? Raven? Nice girl in the refridgerated section! Central Co-Op, you have a well trained staff that seems to know their product. That was some of the best customer service that I've ever received! Very rarely do I feel like my questions matter in most grocery stores or that I'm very well received as a person and like I'm a burden. This was over-the-top customer service and I hope that you personally compliment the employee who helped me find what I needed. Thank you! Also, as a store for groceries in Seattle, this is the best. Lots of fair trade items, vegan items, bulk selections (bring your own plastic bags and re-use!) and local items. I like that stuff. Giving back to the community thru sustainability is important. The prices aren't much higher than other foods stores. You'll be hooked if you go. read more

I love swinging by the Central Co-op in the the Capital Hill/ Central District neighborhood! Their selection of produce is very vast and always very fresh! You can even find ingredients here that is a bit of the uncommon kind that your typical grocery store does not have. Of course my favorite sections here are the gourmet chocolate bar section and the gourmet soda. Some brands are brands that I became familiar with when I lived in Colorado and could not locate them anywhere else unless I came here so that is something that makes me very excited about coming here! It was this Co-op that turned around my attitude towards Co-ops in general. I used to not like going to them but those were experiences in Colorado and not Washington state. The unfortunate experiences I had with those was limited selection, snootiness and an air of exclusiveness which made me run the other way when I attempted to shop there however after the Washington move AND going to the Central Co-op my attitude really changed. Everyone at this Co-op location is friendly and approachable with a down to earth atmosphere AND an excellent selection of merchandise. read more

Great selection. Amazingly fresh spinach. Mold on strawberries. Hippie-staff that almost "looks down" on you if you don't have dreads and like to shower. read more

I stopped by this co-op over a weekend afternoon because my friend and I just wanted to spend some time to catch up over some light coffee/drink. I have always thought that this co-op was just a supermarket, so I was surprised to find out the first time I was there that there was a small bakery/coffee and drink stations and some seats near the co-op shop, too. My friend and I just grabbed a cup of coffee and a smoothie. The drinks were ok and made to order but I found the wait time slightly long and the drinks overpriced (for their supermarket setting). I believe we paid almost $10 for the 2 drinks. Overall, it's a decent, clean place to stop by. However, if I had a choice next time to catch up over a drink, I would probably pick some other places nearly the area because you maybe able to get a better ambiance for a roughly similar price range. read more

My realllly good friend is a co-op member has been since they first opened. Well, he hasn't shopped there for about 5 years now. Reason-he bought some carob almonds and they were totally rancid, so he returned them. The person who took them from him just put them right back into the bin. So, I said, "oh surely things have gotten better?" I bought some puff pastry to make strudel. No, No, No, all broken and I think it must have been in the freezer since Nixon was in office. Cryogenics are one thing, leaving something in the freezer that long is just uncalled for unless you want to save it as a relic like a wedding cake top. Well, Co-op, my strudel didn't get made , the compost bin probably will be mad at me. Maybe I should have let the dogs bat it around for while before putting it out of it's misery. Won't be back. read more

I get it; You work in a natural food store and you're way cooler than I am. Long before Trader Joes ruled the hill I shopped here grudgingly. Now I get here maybe once every 3 or 4 months and I'm always reminded that I don't go here because the staff is so rude. And I guess I wouldn't mind that if they weren't so darned slow too. You can say what you want about their next door neighbors being big business etc but at least they're always friendly, efficient and helpful read more

Generally, things here are overpriced, but for a reason - it's a very specialized grocery store, so I get that they have to mark up prices a little more. For me personally, though, it's not worth it in general. That's just my personal grocery-buying preference. I will say, however, that the things that I've found that are worth it at the co-op are loose spices (much cheaper than any grocery store around) and their occasional super-sales on stuff like chocolate. :) So I find myself wandering in to the co-op every so often, just to see if there is anything worth getting that I need or want. Or when a recipe calls for ground cloves and I'm not in the mood to pay $10 for a tiny canister of it when I can get the amount I need at the co-op for 50 cents! read more

I stopped in tonight .... It felt, strange? Lots of messy shelves, missing items. Seemed like barely any staff. I feel the co-op used to be a lot nicer & cleaner. The store also appeared dirty and unkempt. What happened to this place?? read more

The central co-op is a special place. Why? 1. Never before seen squashes! Yay for the dumpling and red kuri squash! Say squash? What a nice assortment of squash. There is a nice assortment of produce here - besides the squash no more rare finds though. 2. The bins! Greeaat bins! With a variety of never before seen granolas, curry seasoned nuts, and other awesome options, these bins are a standout. And that is pretty much enough for me. They have some of my specialty healthy food items for pretty much the same prices as elsewhere. But, if you have a food allergy or are a healthy eater, this is the place to go! They also have a very tiny bakery area and deli with pre-made food options (but no hot food bar!). And, of course, all the natural/healthy freezer, cereal, sauce, etc... I love gallivanting around random supermarkets for different items so the Co-op is my bin and squash place. WOOO. read more

I held off on getting a membership. It was $100 for a lifetime membership. If you're going to live in the area for a while, then you might as well. They have cheese and kombucha items that I usually have to wait for during the weekend farmer's markets. The folks in the seafood department are super friendly and have some yummy recipes to share if you're looking for inspiration for your home cooking experiments. Though the price can be higher at times, it can be comparable to Whole Foods in a sense. You're paying for the organic, fresh, unique, and local options. In the back, if you bring your own Tupperware containers, you can buy grains, nuts, rice, etc. great if you're not looking to buy pounds of something or if you want to do the opposite. We enjoy the weekend events, the tastings, and rotation of local vendors showcasing new options. read more

Ugh I hate leaving this one star. Well, maybe not hate because I am doing it. BUT I love co ops. LOVE EM! But this one.... YIKES. I always want to ask if the employees are okay. They are SOOO grumpy and rude. Trader Joes and coffee shops are hiring. Maybe try another place you're not so miserable at? I dont know. But I've gone in there so many times and each time is so depressing. Also can you please get rid of that soggy sad display you call "breakfast" in the morning. read more

I have mixed feelings about this place because on one hand they do have some interesting products that can be a bit more difficult to find. But, on the other hand the prices are more than any other place and the staff can be kind of off putting sometimes. My first visit in the cashier was present but the second time in a different girl was rather off putting. Nothing quite like thanking a cashier to get a snide sounding "OK" back. I know I didn't join the co-op and I didn't donate anything to any organization but there's no need for an attitude. Customer service means being polite to the rudest of customers and even nicer to the polite ones. It wouldn't keep me from going back but I wouldn't go out of my way for this place. read more