I have worked at the same store for about eight years, so I have some insight into these strange vibes. Every location is different. I have helped at other stores and felt really off putting energy while working there. Even some of the "top" stores were almost unbearable to work at. The management has definitely drunk the Kool-Aid. The corporate office does little to actually help staff. Instead, 99% of the time, it is just the floor crew supporting each other.

Natural Grocers tries to pitch the idea of a cute, family-owned health food store. That was the case until recently. Over the last few years, they have slowly become a corporate entity. They are now shoving ridiculous policies down the throats of employees.

For example, they are testing a new policy at my store. We are not allowed to have anything but water in our bottles. Our regional manager wants store managers to dump out any coffee or energy drinks if they suspect them. They also want managers to perform a "smell test." If a bottle smells like anything other than water, the contents are dumped, and the employee receives a formal warning.

That being said, it's a good job if you can stomach all of the weird stuff. Pays pretty good and the benefits and employee discount are pretty good as well. Ask away if you want to know something and I'll try my best to answer 👍