Carlas Fresh Market

this store is so cute, natural wine, local produce, baked goods and good coffee. Carla’s even has tables to work or eat at. However there is one thing that will be crucial for Carla’s, and it’s understanding the neighborhood it opened in. The locals are latinos who have been here for over 20 years, all ages and generations. The glaring downside of Carla’s is not the eclectic assortment of goods, but it is the prices—like Cookbook down figueroa, there is absolutely zero affordable options to the assortment of spices, snacks, and other goods. This fact makes Carla’s feel no different than any other trendy exploitive shop opening in Highland Park right now, a city that pushes back fiercely against gentrifiers. The story of Carla’s is inspiring, but their inaccessibility is going to lead to their downfall. My advice? add some reasonably priced goods to the shelves for a diverse selection for everyone in the neighborhood, and not just the wealthy transplants who are trampling all over this town

I work around the corner from Carla’s and have been craving a market like this for years. Carla’s is a *gift* to neighborhood…I want to shout it from the rooftops. Not only is it incredibly beautiful inside—full of color and personality—but their offering is wonderfully curated. Local produce! Small craft foods! A killer wine and beer case! Artisanal ice cream! Ariell is lovely and funny and her passion is contagious. Can’t wait to try their coffee and prepared foods! Spend your money at Carla’s!

Popped in here for some bread and was thrilled with the selection. Will make this my regular local spot in highland park for groceries.

This place is great. Tons of very unique local products that I haven't seen anywhere else, produce looks and tastes amazing. The owner and staff are very friendly.
Just opened, so every couple days there is more to see. Highly recommend stopping in and taking a peak.

Glad to see more independent grocery with a wide range of products and pricing. Corporate grocery functions on scale and where you spend your dollars matter. Support small business!

Great Selection, Great Environment, Great Staff!..

I wanted to like this place, and when I want to treat myself I go grab 1 item or 2, but that is all anyone can afford. It's a very nice space, but as many have voiced, does not have the community in mind with its pricing and items for sale - and I echo the dissapointment others feel as many were led to believe it would be 'different.'

We were excited about having affordable and accessible fresh food near to where we live. Unfortunately, I am genuinely unsure what this place thought it would offer the community. We couldn’t afford to pick up one or two things here let alone a whole grocery shop. If your idea of responsible consumerism is $14 cans of women-owned tuna with bubbly graphic design, that’s fine. There are literally hundreds of stores in this city that sell that kind of thing. But the owners suffered some serious ignorance of context by opening here.

If you’re a newcomer to this neighborhood, it’s your responsibility to support the people that made this place what it is. Please spend your money at the dozens of cafes, restaurants, and stores that are owned by people from highland park, and that care about what the community actually needs.

I went in excited to see what they have inside especially hearing all the press about this place and how it was meant to be accessible for everyone. The design of the place is great and decor amazing. The staff and owner were friendly from the moment I walked in. The prices for the coffee and teas are reasonable. But whoa the sticker shock of this place is wild. 9 dollars for wafer cookies?! Idk if it is inflation or something but this place upcharged a lot on its items. I wanted to pick up stuff from here but this was like erewhon prices. I'll come back to try the coffee and matcha but unfortunately I don't really see myself coming here to get groceries.

another new store in highland park meant to alienate the native highland parkers that have been here for generations, and appeal to the growing gentrifying population. the owner of the store is not from highland park, all the people i saw coming in and out are clearly the new population of wanna be highland park hipsters.

the store sells nothing that adds value to this neighborhood. they sell expensive, unnecessary foods and wine. they don’t want to give the neighborhood a “good food store” they want to make money by pushing out local businesses and take advantage of the gentrification that’s currently happening.

it’s really sad to see colonizers try to erase the history of highland park and incorporate the stale “artisanal culture” that has already plagued areas like echo park. they’re trying to take over my beautiful neighborhood now and it makes me sick.

i know people who are new will be excited, but if you’re new and also want to preserve the history and culture of highland park you will NOT be supporting these newer stores trying to erase the beauty of hlp.

basically, go back to silverlake gentrifiers.

Another overpriced business opened in this economy. Yipeee!! Owner seems so superficial especially with her mission statement. If you want to be accessible, BE accessible!! Hope this place tanks.

This isn't a neighborhood market to drop in and get your pantry staples, it's an expensive food boutique better suited for a shopping district like Abbot-Kinney.

$37+tax for a LOAF of banana bread. That and a rude staff. No thanks, and good luck!