I compared the prices at Los Angeles's high-end grocery store Erewhon with 2 other popular markets

Samantha DelouyaDec 29, 2022, 23:43 IST

Erewhon caters to a high-end clientele.Tallie Spencer/Insider

Erewhon is an organic health-food store known for its unique offerings and sky-high prices.
Over the years, it's become a go-to hangout spot for celebrities and influencers in Los Angeles.

Over the last half-decade, Erewhon has become one of Los Angeles's hottest hangout spots and tourist attractions. Its ascendance may come as a surprise: it's a grocery store, after all.

Erewhon is no ordinary grocery store, though. Instead, it's a certified organic health-food store known for its unique offerings (camel milk and sea moss gel are examples) and its sky-high prices.

The grocery store chain, founded in 1966, has grown from just one location in Los Angeles to 8 stores in the last decade, with help from an investment by private equity company Stripes.

Over the years, it's become a go-to spot for celebrities and influencers in Los Angeles: actor Jonah Hill has been photographed wearing a $300 "Erewhon" sweatshirt, while Hailey Bieber recently teamed up with the store to create her own $17 smoothie.

I visited Erewhon's West Hollywood location to determine if there is an "Erewhon tax," meaning shoppers pay more for the same goods they could get at another grocery store. See the difference in prices compared to Amazon-owned Whole Foods and Trader Joe's:

My first impression of Erewhon was that it looked similar to a Whole Foods store, though slightly smaller.

Erewhon's West Hollywood location.Samantha Delouya

I tend to grocery shop at Trader Joe's due to its comparatively low prices, though the store occasionally gets crowded, making the experience stressful.

Trader Joe's West Hollywood interior.Samantha Delouya

I have found Whole Foods to be an enjoyable shopping experience, though it has sometimes been nicknamed "Whole Paycheck" for its reputation as a higher-priced grocery store.

Whole Foods West Hollywood interior.Samantha Delouya

I have found Whole Foods to be an enjoyable shopping experience, though it has sometimes been nicknamed "Whole Paycheck" for its reputation as a higher-priced grocery store.

However, comparing grocery prices at Erewhon vs. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, I (perhaps, unsurprisingly) found the cost of goods at Erewhon to be consistently more expensive. Here are some comparisons:

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

However, comparing grocery prices at Erewhon vs. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, I (perhaps, unsurprisingly) found the cost of goods at Erewhon to be consistently more expensive. Here are some comparisons:

Bananas:

Bananas from Erewhon, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's (left to right)Samantha Delouya

Avocados:

Avocados from Erewhon, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's (left to right)Samantha Delouya

Eggs:

Eggs from Erewhon (left), and Whole Foods (right)Samantha Delouya

A rare instance where Whole Food's offering was pricier: peanut butter

Peanut butter from Erewhon, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's (left to right)Samantha Delouya

Alternatives to peanut butter:

Almond butter from Erewhon (left), and Whole Foods (right)Samantha Delouya

Non-dairy milk:

Oat milk from Erewhon (left), and Whole Foods (right).Samantha Delouya

Can of beans:

Can of beans from Erewhon (left), and Whole Foods (right).Samantha Delouya

Olive oil:

Olive oil from Erewhon (left), and Whole Foods (right).Samantha Delouya

Water:

Water from Erewhon (left), and Whole Foods (right).Samantha Delouya

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I compared the prices at Los Angeles's high-end grocery store Erewhon with 2 other popular markets

My first impression of Erewhon was that it looked similar to a Whole Foods store, though slightly smaller.

I tend to grocery shop at Trader Joe's due to its comparatively low prices, though the store occasionally gets crowded, making the experience stressful.

I have found Whole Foods to be an enjoyable shopping experience, though it has sometimes been nicknamed "Whole Paycheck" for its reputation as a higher-priced grocery store.

However, comparing grocery prices at Erewhon vs. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, I (perhaps, unsurprisingly) found the cost of goods at Erewhon to be consistently more expensive. Here are some comparisons:

Bananas:

Avocados:

Eggs:

A rare instance where Whole Food's offering was pricier: peanut butter

Alternatives to peanut butter:

Non-dairy milk:

Can of beans:

Olive oil:

Water: