Takoma Park-Silver Spring Food Co-op

Category:	Grocery Store
Address:	201 Ethan Allen Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912, USA
Phone:	+1 301-891-2667
Site:	tpss.coop
Rating:	4.5
Working:	8AM–10PM 8AM–10PM 8AM–10PM 8AM–10PM 8AM–10PM 8AM–10PM 8AM–10PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 9

Cecile Danke

Almost everyone that works at the co-op is very friendly and helpful, however on more than one occasion there has been one cashier who is very rude to me every time I come in. Ive worked in organic grocery stores and I know how some people can be, but my partner and I are very friendly to the staff and chose this as our main store to buy food so we can support local businesses. I was buying some groceries and this particular cashier asked me what kind of apples these were, and I said that I didnt remember, but I was sure the PLU was on it. And just to point out I said this is a very mono-tone non emotional way and she said back to me in a very aggressive way "thats not what I asked you". I was like okay, and I limited my conversation with her as she very carelessly pushed my things towards me. She handed my receipt to me, and I took it from her but was just finishing up packing my groceries up, and she practically yelled at me "excuse me!" I look up at her really confused, was I suppose to pack up my stuff on the floor? I asked her "am I not allowed to pack up my things" she scuffed and looked away from me and said "you can do whatever you want" in a again very rude tone. This woman is very difficult to deal with. I have worked in customer service for over ten years and have had genuinely mean and horrible people yell at me for no reason, harass me, and test my patience with utter disregard for my own life and have just taken it because its my job. Nothing I have done and suspect other people have done warrants the disrespect she gives me. Me and my partner would like to keep coming here, but if every time we come in and are treated this way we have wasted 100 dollars joining. We really like the staff aside from this one person, but if people pay just to join, we should be treated better.

A Rc

This is the worst food coop I have ever visited--in fact, I would call it a fraud. Not only were several important items out of stock, but when I returned the following month and then again two weeks later, the items were still out of stock even despite my letters to management. They also dont seem to read ingredient labels--instead of choosing the healthier dairy-free frozen treat brands, they go for items with the most sugar, wheat, and additives. In fact, they dont even carry most of the common "health food store" items found at other coops. When I asked for goat butter, I was told an order would be placed. However when I came back in many days later, they had not placed the order and the managers said they had no plans to do so. As goat butter sells out at Whole Foods, I am certain they would make money, but when I relayed my concerns to the board and management, I received a dismissive, reactive, confrontational e-mail. Why would anyone buy a membership here? The point of a coop is to pool resources from members to buy in bulk and save individuals money. They act like a super store in that they order what management believes will sell to the masses. I dont want to eat like the masses, so good bye to Takoma Park Coop.

Savana Moore

Once upon a time, the Co-op had an organic blueprint. However, recently, it has become a liquor store with some organic stuff. When I commented to a cashier that I was disturbed that a health food store is selling alcohol, she said, "Its not alcohol; its wine." Most of the produce is now labeled "local, non-organic," and the produce manager cant even say if the local producers use pesticides or not (I was told they deal with just too many local farmers to know the answer to this question, and even the one that was providing peaches, whom he could call by name, had not been asked this question.)The entire store is filled with booze, walls of booze, tables of booze, booze sampling areas, etc. A staple item I buy regularly there is four dollars more than at MOMs and very recently was raised in price by two dollars (a 16oz. jar of organic almond butter). A bag of groceries that I used to get two years ago for 50$ is now over 100$--essentially the same items. In addition, they are often out of stock on some items for no apparent reason, and change brands of products seemingly arbitrarily. After I get used to cooking with some specific brand, its suddenly no longer available (for a time at least).

Aaron Mckeel

This place is great! The General Manager Abdi is very passionate about his store and community. NOTE: The review from "A Rc" is a perfect example of someone who thinks they are above all. People, be weary of your sources and where there opinions stem. After doing some research "A Rc" has given every store in Washington, DC a bad review. Maybe its not the stores. Maybe its "A Rc" who needs one star. Listen "A Rc", I am sorry you had that experience while shopping at TPSS Co-op, but with all do respect, the Co-op is still a business and they must supply to the masses to keep their doors open. And for them to continue to pay their employees better than any other grocery store in the local DMV. This business should never only receive ONE star! This business is great and they deserve no less than FIVE STARS!

Katherine Smith

Honestly Im really surprised at all of the great reviews. This co-op is ok. Most of the staff are not friendly at all, and do not know proper customer service. Clearly the bar has not been set very high by management. The fee for membership is outrageous especially considering the few benefits you receive. As someone who has worked at a food co-op, and visited more than a dozen in the past couple years, this one is last on my list. I think it plays a vital role in the community however, and hopefully reviews like this will allow management to see whats needed to really stand out in the community.

A Private User

This is a great grocery store, with discounts for members. First Tuesdays bring %10 off for members, with other specials on an excellent variety of packaged foods, fresh organic and local produce. Their health department carries an array of competitively priced items and their bulk section is the great for families!

Fabienne Cadet

I like this place my face use to break out a lot this place save me, I went was looking at acne stuff there were a young woman she have some simple there were a some other stuff in 2 dead sea wherehousse soap Ive been buying/using this soap since then, which I took her name so could thank her.

Romona Foster

Nice place to go if you are looking for natural food and other natural products. The floor staff is very helpful. Im ashamed to say I am now addicted to Talenti Gelato and Sorbet. I went in for health food and added Talenti to the mix one day, and now it is on! Try it if you dare.

Jaison Cooper

A solid grocery store but also a clever business. You should really consider getting the TPSS card, it offers a myriad of discounts to this and other establishments in the area. Not to mention it can be returned at any time and talk to them for more details. I highly recommend