From Organic Market to Everyday Gathering Space

Something is refreshing about a business that knows exactly what it is. In an era where retail spaces try to become everything at once, the employee-owned Natural Grocery Company feels less like a marketing exercise and more like a natural extension of the community it serves.

Since 1982, the Natural Grocery Company has focused on organic, local, and thoughtfully sourced products, becoming a longtime staple in the community. More recently, in 2014, next door to the market, the Prepared Food Annex (aka, The Annex) expanded that philosophy into a lively gathering space. Part café, part deli, part wine shop, and part community hub, it blends everyday convenience with the slower rhythm of a place designed to linger.

Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the space hums from morning coffee runs to evening wine tastings. The café leans into quality without unnecessary pretension, serving Equal Exchange coffee alongside house-made organic syrups, sauces, and whipped creams

that elevate even a simple latte. Nearby, the juice bar spins organic fruits and vegetables from the market into smoothies that feel more Berkeley wellness than chain-store smoothie counter.

The deli anchors much of the experience. Soups, salads, burritos, sandwiches, and rotating seasonal dishes are prepared in-house using many of the same organic ingredients stocked next door, including made-from-scratch soups that have become a comforting staple for regulars. It’s the kind of setup that quietly solves a common neighborhood dilemma: wanting something quick without sacrificing quality.

The Annex also leans into the sweeter side of things. Its baked goods section turns out refined yet approachable pastries made with organic ingredients, while the dessert counter serves organic dairy ice cream from Straus Family Creamery alongside vegan offerings from Mr. Dewie’s. Sundaes, shakes, and other treats are elevated with house-made organic sauces and cones, carrying the same thoughtful philosophy found throughout the rest of the space.

A carefully curated wine and beer section highlights bottles and brews with stories behind them, while rotating flower bouquets bring color to the entrances throughout the week. The walls regularly feature local artists, and community events — from beer and wine tastings to live music and entertainment — help transform the space from simply a place to shop into a place where people genuinely gather.

So naturally, there are events. Every Wednesday night, local musicians perform at the Annex through events organized by SunJams, a nonprofit supporting music education in under-resourced public schools. Fittingly, the partnership reflects the same community-centered

values that define the market itself: half of the proceeds go directly to the artists, while the remaining half supports SunJams’ mission.

“The Annex is like an oasis, offering a place for the community to connect and relax,” says Jose Ruiz, manager of the Annex.

Beyond the weekly music nights, regularly hosted wine, beer and craft chocolate tastings mingle with live performances, artist showcases, and other community-centered gatherings throughout the year. Their calendar changes often, so it’s worth checking Natural Grocery Company for the latest events, featured artists, and upcoming tastings.

As the days get longer and warmer, the Annex especially shines as an easy neighborhood

stop: grab a coffee, settle into the patio, pick up flowers for dinner, or linger over a casual meal while live music filters through the space. It’s less about maximizing cross-selling and more about creating an environment where all the pieces naturally belong together.

El Cerrito Natural Grocery – Prepared Food Annex