The Light Cellar

I’ve been a customer since they started classes in a house in Montgomery. As a family of four we enjoy the raw food journey and learn from our experiences with a holistic lifestyle and meeting people who as excited as we are and due to the fact that the Light cellar was unique we made a point of coming into the city to shop there. Since they moved to the new store the atmosphere went from good to not-​so-​good. The staff seem put out and intimidating. Which is unfortunate because at one time they had some really great products. Every time we get hooked on a good product they either cancel it or can’t order it in? This place has so much potential bit I can’t see it growing due to the lack of enthusiasm the staff displays. The stock is inconsistent. The lights are dim and it’s hard to read some of the labels. When I’ve asked for help the responses are indifferent at most. I really hope that the owners can get things turned around because the store has great potential but I just can’t shop there any longer. :(

Quaint little shop in character neighbourhood of Bowness. Knowledgeable and informative staff. Easy going vibe w/​a good array of Chinese & other Eastern herbs & medicines. The kombucha available on site is exceptionally well brewed and flavourful. Prices are a bit high, but considering dearth of this type of dispensary in the city, the law of supply and demand is fulfilled. Refreshing merchant and philosophical addition to Calgary.

There’s no where I know of quite the TLC. They have an amazing array of superfood goodness, a selection that trumps everything else out there. What’s more impressive is the quality; everything they carry is the highest quality version of it, fresh, consciously sourced, and amazing! Add to this the wonderful vibe the staff bring and this place is primed to be a trend-​setter.
The only downside is price. It’s not cheap, but part of that is because the items they carry tend to be pricey wherever you get them. The nice thing about TLC is you always get what you pay for; these are the freshest and most amazing ingreds you’ll find anywhere.
Oh, and don’t even get me started on the in-​house creations! A variety of raw chocolate, delicious elixiers, and so many healthy and tasty ferments; this place is treat central!
Just go there. If it’s up your alley, you’ll love it!

TL: DR — The place is great, the people are helpful and they care. All the products are fantastic quality and well vetted.
For super foods and spices and an education on them all, this is totally the place to be. I’ve been here many times and will return many times in the future. I honestly don’t think there is even another store like it anywhere.
I’m having trouble writing this review because I don’t even know what to focus on, so maybe I’ll categorize it. This review might seem like a bit of a circle jerk, but I honestly do believe that the people in the store are trying to help, and I believe in the products I buy from them.
Customer Service:
Everyone who works in this store is really helpful and they all have a ton of knowledge about what they’re selling. They’re all very real and genuine also. I would rate their customer service as excellent or better.
You can feel very comfortable walking in there knowing nothing about anything they sell, and just ask for help, and once they’re free (because there’s often a lot of people in there) they’ll be more than happy to speak with you about how you’re feeling or what you want to fix about yourself, or how to maintain your already general health if that’s what you desire.
Prices:
Things in the store can range from very affordable to very expensive (I don’t necessarily mean overpriced, I just mean out of my budget). I find that I usually get carried away and buy more than I meant to when I walk in. You can go in with $ 20 and walk out with some great stuff. Just tell whoever you’re talking to what your budget is and what you’re trying to accomplish and they’ll help you out.
Quality of products:
The quality of the products in the store is second to none. I know for a fact that they vet their products really hard before they sell it.
Classes:
Most of the people who work at the light cellar teach classes about what they’re passionate about. I’ve taken a class on medicinal mushrooms, tincture making, purifying water, liver health, mead making and a few more and I’ve learned tons from them all.
I highly recommend checking out any classes taught by Pedro, Malcolm, Patrick, Blaine or Robyn. I’m sure other people have great classes too, but these are the people I know have great classes.
Patrick does this wild medicinal class that I really want to go to next time he does it. He takes you to the wilderness around Calgary and shows you wild medicinal plants and teaches you about them.
Elixir bar:
This is really cool. Super foods in delicious smoothies, or drinks or even ice cream. I highly recommend the mint ice cream and the root beer. They’re both super good.
My favorite products:
Chaga — General Health, extremely high in antioxidants, adaptogenic, great as a coffee substitute. It’s very good for you. I recommend buying the small 1 mm chunks and not so much the powder if you’re planning on making tea with it, but I could be wrong, that’s just what we use.
Reishi Spores — Expensive, but they will blow your mind. If I’m angry and I take a spoon full of reishi spores, I feel the rage melt away to the point that I can’t control it. If you want to chill out (because of stress or whatever), take a spoon full of reishi spores and just let it melt in your mouth and you will totally chill out.
Dandy Blend — Whenever I make elixirs, I always put in some dandy blend and it makes them taste so smooth and delicious. It’s great for your liver, and many people use it as a coffee substitute.
Chlorella — But the tablets, they’re cheap! The powder is purely awful if you’re taking it straight. If you’re mixing it into a smoothy, get the powder, but the tablets are great. Chlorella is reported to pull heavy metals out of your body.
Shen Drops — I’m all about the calming effects. Shen drops are another great way to chill out. They’re very calming.
Chocolate — They make their own chocolate there. Well they stone grind it and make it into wonderful chocolates anyway. It’s fantastic.

I absolutely adore this store. They have so much product that is fresh and hard to find. Its a little on the pricey side but that’s to be expected with the quality and rareness of their products. You really MUST try their raw cookies from the fridge, they are so yummy! I also have been to several workshops/​classes and every time leave with such good energy and knowledge and cannot wait for the next one! Great shop and even better community and staff!

I adore The Light Cellar.
This little nook situated on Bowness Road is equipped with all kinds of lovely raw food necessities (sans produce of course). It is the first and last place you will ever have to look for raw unpasteurized honeys, coconut sugars, raw nuts, tough to find ingredients in raw cooking such as irish moss, etc.
They also teach some really rad classes, making such a lifestyle accessible and providing a sense of community. The raw chocolate is incredible.
I have also dealt with these guys on a wholesale level and have received nothing but fairly priced ingredients for my vegan baking, and warmness. The owners and staff of The Light Cellar are incredibly friendly, and extremely knowledgeable.
If you can catch these guys during their slightly unusual hours (which are still convenient for most as they fall on weekends anyways), do so. I could say more, but I do not feel it necessary to ramble on. Visit this gem, it may be life altering. ;)