The Apple Crate

Love the Apple Crate. I get greeted and given a wealth of any product I choose to ask about. One lady who has worked there since my very first visit is so helpful and patient with me.
All employees are awesome and I enjoy shopping there immensely!

I’ve been to this store twice. The prices are waaay ridiculous and customer service is not so great.
I’m def an observer, furthermore as another viewer pointed out, the employees are truly snobbish, arrogant, and sarcastic. Also, I’ve watched how they act and respond upon other individuals. I hear how they chatter about customers and react differently to humane. You’re less likely greeted or helped, Yes they would sit in the back office as if they don’t detect your presence. Also another factual bit, as another viewer stated being watched by cashier and employees. smh. Valid comment. I would not return to Apple Crate. Farmers Market, HT, and Vitamin Shoppe will def be my to-​go-​to stores or Online which you find exceeding deals!
PS Definitely saving w’o uyou guys:)

This is what I envision when ‘health food store’ is tossed into conversation. It is tucked away in a strip mall, and it is hard to tell it’s open if not for the ‘open’ sign lit up accordingly.
When you walk into the shop, it is packed high with herbal and natural supplements, health remedies, toiletries, extracts, natural medicines and teas. Then, there are a couple aisles of processed grains/​flours, health foods and snacks. They have a freezer section, and a small refrigerated section with produce and a small number of pre-​made ready-​to eat foods. The best part of the store is if you don’t want or need food or drink, but seek a natural remedy. The produce is alright, the health food is alright, and the pre-​made food is alright. There is a good number of gluten free, raw and vegan items for specialty diets. Prices are alright for this type of store.
Go local? Ok!

As a vegan I love this store with all the plant based alternatives, Apple crate sells good stuff and a lot of gluten free items too, Apple crate should consider expanding their store to sell more things but I know that’s easier said than done, the reason I only gave Apple Crate 4 stars is because some of the employees kind of act snobbish but Brenda is super friendly.

This is a pretty good store for one’s special dietary needs. All I got were some gluten-​free brownie mix and flax seeds but wandering around, there seemed to be plenty of stock for all food lovers, especially for vegetarians and vegans with plenty of supplements like B12 and iron and veg-​friendly options.
Apple Crate is, indeed, a little pricier than the average store in Fayetteville but the quality of the products available, if one’s not willing to drive to Raleigh, are worth it in my opinion. The aisles, like one reviewer mentioned, are a little tight but it’s maneuverable. The associates were helpful and easily pointed me in the direction of my products.
Parking is a hit or miss since it shares the lot with a bakery and salon but overall, this is a great place for groceries that you wouldn’t be able to find otherwise.

I finally made a trip to Apple Crate after hearing about it on several occasions. I knew where the location was due to the fact that I shop at Harris Teeters every week and they’re directly across the street from each other.
The reason I gave this store 2 stars is due to the horrible customer service I received. I wasn’t greeted upon entering the store. I spent about 30 minutes walking down every aisle, purposely taking my time, with hopes that an employee would approach me and ask if I needed help; that never happened. What I did notice is that I was being watched by the cashier, smh!
Finally, I approached the cashier, who had been watching me and I asked for help. The cashier stopped another employee who seemed to be bothered that he had to help me. At this point I was fed up, I thanked him for his «service» and then I left. My money was well spent at the Vitamin Shoppe.

Very nice people and knowledgeable staff. The manager is always nice to her customers and always willing to help.

Fresh peanut/​almond butter: check
Cool snacks: Check
Supplements: Check
However… it’s pricey and not as much selection as I would like. Apple Crate please get bigger and have a better selection! Please more refrigerated/​frozen foods. Fayetteville needs a bigger and better health food store!

Always good service and great place to pick up those «hard to find» brands. Great addition to the Fay area.

I am a fan of the Apple Crate. It’s the only place in the Fayetteville area to buy health food and supplements. All specialty stores like this are going to be expensive and it’s not much cheaper if you purchase online, it’s just the nature of the beast. That said, the Apple Crate has a very wide selection of foods (vegan and gluten free) and supplements. I go here at least once a month to stock up!

The Apple Crate is definitely not for everyone. It’s definitely one of a kind in the area, however, and I really enjoy learning something new every time I stop by.
It’s MAJORLY cramped. The parking lot is cramped. The aisles are narrow. I drove past the place on accident the first two times I visited. If you get claustrophobic, maybe stick to ordering through iHerb or drive to an Earth Fare I don’t know how many hours away. Personally, I find it adds a bit of personality, but I could see it being an issue for others.
They have lots of supplements and items for vegetarians, vegans, people with difficult allergies, or people who are interested in alternative medicine. A lot of items are rather pricey, but the products tend to run on the steep end if ordered elsewhere so I don’t think that’s something to hold Apple Crate at fault for particularly.
The staff here are always very helpful. Even if I don’t need help (half the time I just drop by to look around and find some new things to google about when I get home), I always see employees helping other customers. In detail. Not just «vitamins are on this aisle» sort of helping. They know their stuff, they care about it, and they have fun teaching customers. Good job! A lot of health buff-​type places I’ve been to, the employees can come off a wee bit pretentious, but I didn’t get that vibe at all here.
Only four stars because I’ve almost gotten my car hit trying to pull in and out almost every time, and prices are too high for me to be a more frequent customer.
Definitely go. Try something new if you’re not well versed in health store wares. Finally find some of the stuff you were probably looking for if you’re used to having a dozen flavors of stevia sweeteners in your pantry. It’s worth a visit either way.

What really grinds my gears is that I found out this place was here a few short days before moving away from the otherwise terrible city of Fayetteville. Had I known I could have taken a quick 10 minute drive for all of my favorite healthy meals and snacks instead of driving in to Raleigh like some kind of chump, I would have lived a much happier existence in this place over the last two years. So if you treasure your health, then I hope you find apple crate sooner than I did.

My first observation was that the store is pretty difficult to find unless you know exactly where it is and what it looks like. I’m okay with that though, as I’m the kind of person that enjoys the hunt.
My second observation was that it is a very small store, but like another reviewer pointed out, I’m probably biased because I’m originally from a larger city.
My third observation was that they seem to have a pretty good variety and selection of items for their store space. For that, I was glad.
My fourth observation was that everything is so tightly packed together that you really need to know where an item is if you want to find it. But hey, I can’t complain about not having had much of a choice.
My fifth observation was that their prices are pretty much insane, but considering they are one of the only health food stores around, I guess it’s only fair. Plus, you can’t really put a price on your health.
My sixth, and final, observation was that their staff is super friendly. There also seemed to be way to many of them (I think I counted 9 or 10 employees to 8 or 9 customers?) running around restocking, assisting, and ringing up customers, but I kind of liked it.

I heart the Apple Crate on Raeford Rd. Yes, it can be a little pricey, but most of the products I buy I cannot find anywhere else in town (and believe me I have tried in the last 8 years). So, it’s either I buy the products on the Internet and pay shipping prices or I drive to the Triangle and pay for gas … Or I can go to the Apple Crate and get excellent customer service and 9.9 times out of 10, find what I’m looking for. Plus, the store often puts new products out so it’s always easy to find something new and interesting (like the new «super foods» beyond chia seeds). Last word, several of the employees really know their stuff. Go in, explore, have fun and try one of the free samples!

This store is ok, I went in and actually found it rather larger than I am used to. I found the kombucha first and was very happy to see that it was lower in cost from what I am used to paying, I found all sorts of things that I had been wanting to try for a while now. They stock their shelves pretty well with anything you could want if you are following a certain diet. I was happy they had Applegate brand bacon and deli meat for a lower price than I found at the harris teeter across the street. Some of the non perishable items are cheaper to order through amazon though. They have a largish section of bulk spices and grains, a wide selection of personal care products, creams and oils. I think I will be picking and choosing what I am going to be buying on a regular basis here. Oh, and I was so excited to get kombucha I got in the car and opened it– it was flat– no fizzies at all! I was so disappointed. I checked the date on the top it is weeks from expiring. Even in the smaller stores that I was going to in Missouri I could always find fresher items. As the other reviews on here check the dates on your items!!! I

Small shop but I bought a few things on my first visit. I haven’t been back since Iive in Lumberton. I bought some chia seeds, jojoba oil, and something else I believe. They have a small section for pets. Emails rarely come out on specials. I didn’t like that the store was small and crowded. I recently went to Viamin Shoppe and was more satisfied. They just don’t have fresh grains/​granola there.

Apple Crate is a niche store for those looking to stay healthy. The product selection is good for the size of the store. More people should check this store out.

I can’t believe this place has bad reviews! I’ve been a regular for two years. Fayetteville has no Whole Foods and no Trader Joe’s or any other health food chains, so it’s great that we have this small chain (two locations in town). I’ve never had problems with the customer service, I just ask for help and they do their best. There are always little samples right where you walk in. It is tiny– do not come in with a huge list, or call first (like I did with cocoa nibs, oat bran, and several other items – so far they’ve had everything I’ve needed). Vitamin Shoppe is good for herbal supplements and has a great location, but Apple Crate is necessary for food items that are harder to find (allergies, health concerns, etc.). My only complaint is the pricing.

Small store limited selection. If you are trying to do most of your shopping here you will not be marking off many things on your list so leave your pen in the car.
Staff is nice enough I have not had any problems, they were helpful in finding a couple of items I was looking for.
The prices are higher than Whole Foods, but I would have to take into consideration driving the hour and a half to get to Raleigh. This is a good place to get something in a pinch.

OK, VERY SMALL, health food store. Seems to be the only one in town. Store has frozen food section, bulk food section, vast vitamin and supplement section, dry/​boxed goods, and a tiny cold foods and produce wall. The workers seem very knowledgeable in remedies and their products. There is a little of everything here to get you by for when you have nowhere else to source from.
FYI’s~
* Have a military discount day for vitamins/​supplements
* Frequent purchaser loyalty card
* Great coffee section with grinder
* Seasonal products
* Peanut butter bulk grinder