Local gluten-free Store Closed :(

[GlutenFreeManna]

I wans't sure where to psot this so mods please move if it's in the wrong place.

Just a heads up for anyone who travels to Virginia Beach to visit Navan foods Allergy free store. They closed their store last week. According to the website she will still be selling things online. I'm so sad to see it go. I could get almost anything specialty gluten-free/SF/DF there. They were the first in the area to carry the new Udi's buns and the only place I could get Coconut Aminos and Wylde pretzels. I can understand why she went out of business however as many other things I could get in the bigger grocery stores or by ordering in bulk for much less. I didn't shop there very often because it was about a 30 mintue drive for me but it will be missed.

[kareng]

Guess you weren't buying enough!

[love2travel]

Guess you weren't buying enough!

Yeah - way to go, Glutenfreemanna!

Seriously, that is sad. We have no gluten-free stores in our area but I would be extremely disappointed if that happened. Not just for purchasing products but just the principle of the thing. We want as many gluten-free products/stores/choices as possible!

[GlutenFreeManna]

Yeah - way to go, Glutenfreemanna!

Seriously, that is sad. We have no gluten-free stores in our area but I would be extremely disappointed if that happened. Not just for purchasing products but just the principle of the thing. We want as many gluten-free products/stores/choices as possible!

I really felt bad I didn't buy more when I went there, but I just don't eat very many gluten-free processed items. They are more of a treat or for traveling and stocking my emergency food bag. For example, I've been gluten-free for 18 months but I have only bought gluten-free pretzels 3 times in all that time--the first time was to test them and make sure I didn't react and the 2nd and 3rd times were when I went on road trips and I made gluten-free chex mix for snacking in the car. Anyway...I think the location was bad too...I always thought when I was going to Navan to pick up a few things, "I wish this store had produce and meat too.." I would even not mind as much paying a little more for the 1 or 2 gluten-free specialty items I needed if the store had meat and produce or was close to a store with good meat and fresh produce. The location was sort of far from any good grocery stores though and hard to find from the road too. The first time I tried to find it I saw the sign but drove past the actual store several times before spotting it. We have a year-round, 7-day a week farmer's market in Virginia Beach. If a gluten-free store was located at or near the Farmer's market it would be great! They have an organic grocery there with some gluten-free options. Today I had to ask them if they could get coconut aminos, the one thing that I WILL order online if I can't get in town. I love my Asian food!

[mbrookes]

I vacation at VA Beach every summer. Have you tried Heritage Health Food for gluten-free items? It is located on Laskin Rd across and a little west from Beach Pub. They carry Udi's products as well as many others, including a good selection of gluten-free beer.

[love2travel]

I really felt bad I didn't buy more when I went there, but I just don't eat very many gluten-free processed items. They are more of a treat or for traveling and stocking my emergency food bag. For example, I've been gluten-free for 18 months but I have only bought gluten-free pretzels 3 times in all that time--the first time was to test them and make sure I didn't react and the 2nd and 3rd times were when I went on road trips and I made gluten-free chex mix for snacking in the car. Anyway...I think the location was bad too...I always thought when I was going to Navan to pick up a few things, "I wish this store had produce and meat too.." I would even not mind as much paying a little more for the 1 or 2 gluten-free specialty items I needed if the store had meat and produce or was close to a store with good meat and fresh produce. The location was sort of far from any good grocery stores though and hard to find from the road too. The first time I tried to find it I saw the sign but drove past the actual store several times before spotting it. We have a year-round, 7-day a week farmer's market in Virginia Beach. If a gluten-free store was located at or near the Farmer's market it would be great! They have an organic grocery there with some gluten-free options. Today I had to ask them if they could get coconut aminos, the one thing that I WILL order online if I can't get in town. I love my Asian food!

I know what you mean - I so rarely buy gluten-free snacks, either. The only gluten-free things I do buy are baking stuff, gluten-free soy sauce, pasta if I do not make it, and Udi's products (occasionally). Oh, and Chex cereal.

[GlutenFreeManna]

I vacation at VA Beach every summer. Have you tried Heritage Health Food for gluten-free items? It is located on Laskin Rd across and a little west from Beach Pub. They carry Udi's products as well as many others, including a good selection of gluten-free beer.

No, I haven't been there. Thanks for the suggestion! I think I had read about them a while back but I thought they were more of a bulk organics store. I didn't know what they had for gluten-free items. I can find Udi's bread in many stores now (Trader Joes, Bloom and Farm Fresh), but had not seen the new Udi's buns anywhere except for Navan. I wish I had bought more Udi's hamburger buns when I found them but I had only just bought one package to try. It was the best burger I have had for almost 2 years!