We do big shopping trips at TJ's once every week or two, and just top up with a few luxe items at Good Life when necessary. I'm glad they are there in a pinch, but would definitely not be able to totally sustain ourselves from their shelves.
(Also, I'm not so sure I would say the people working there are friendly. A few nice ones, but most of the younger clerks are kinda rude.)

<it's just that many things are two or even three times more expensive than the Safeway down the hill which now has a lot of "organic products", or at least claims to. >

In answer to your question, overpriced or what? No, it's not overpriced, since people pack that place to buy stuff there. As for me, I go to Rainbow when I want quality stuff of the sort Good Life sells, but at reasonable prices. But for its community (yupsters), Good Life knows its market well.

I'm addicted to quality meat, which is not available at Safeway, or even at TJ's, and since I'm already at Good Life, I find it irresistable to pick up other stuff...
THEN I start comparing to other places like Whole Foods, which is even MORE expensive than Good Life, and a zoo on most days, though a kind of fun zoo...
I like some of the items in their deli, too.
It is depressing to get half a paper bag of groceries and have to pay like $50 or something for what you bought...
There's always the Farmer's Market on Alemeny on Saturday mornings for produce and even some fresh fish.

Cost aside, you should focus on the other benefits of having a small but comprehensive grocery in your hood. Good Life has a lot to offer --alternative brands, fresh bread & bagels daily and a bulk bin section (where you can save money). Bundles of firewood! They've got Sushi chefs on site who will make you whatever you want if it's not already in the display. The beer and wine selection are excellent considering the size of the store. If you want quality and alternative choices, you will pay for it. I compare prices with Other Avenues (another health food store) and they are equal. The cost of produce varies greatly depending on what's fresh and in season. If you're paying too much for your strawberries or your avacoado, it's because those crops aren't in season and therefore need to be shipped from further. For a small "village" neighborhood, you have to truly appreciate the conveince of walking to GL. Unless you drive, you're going to have to wait on the 67 or the 24 to haul your ass to Slaveway or another store miles away where they give you ten zillion plastic bags. Good Life is just stumbling distance from Wild Side West and Skip's Tavern!

I guess most people want quantity instead of quality. And this isn't solely and economic issue. Are we really unable to pay more for food, or are we unwiling? How many people opt to pay a monthly cable and cell phone bill but can't afford quality food? The food you eat determines your health and well being, yet people make decisions based solely on price. With all due respect, I think most of us have adopted a backwards view on food and its costs. The stuff you buy at Safeway may seem cheap, but there are factors not immediately apparent in the sale of this kind of food. Non-organic produce is heavily subsidized and doesn't reflect the cost you pay later in taxes to fix the problems to your health and the environment (water pollution, food bourne illness, antibiotic resistance, oil subsidies....to name a few.).

If you factor in the time, the effects of gas usage, cost of gas and other negatives related to car usage, it makes more sense to shop local. Granted, the selection of Good Life isn't as great as larger stores, but to be fair, it's simply limited by its size. It's still a pretty good one-stop shop for an array of items, with a spectacular deli. My advice for those who seeking savings is to stock up on good produce at the Alamany Flea Market, and get the rest at GL.

>Now, I want to support my community and everything, but I wish Good Life could have followed the model of Trader Joe's and gone the cheap >generic route instead of the super-expensive "boutique" route.

My understanding is that this isn't really a "choice" for a local market. Trader Joes has the ability to pick and choose distribution channels and suppliers. We're not talking Wal~Mart influence, but it has some say. Good Life is just a local market that has to deal with a lot more overhead and much smaller volume to spread that overhead around. I don't think they're price gouging at Good Life, they're just providing a quality product and I think they're worth supporting.

Then again, I'm DINKy scum.

Hey Matt
You live in a rich neighborhood bubba...so if you want to walk to the grocers you gotta go with the flow
Why don't u go to the Rainbow General Store on Folsom near Best Buy and Office Max
They have fabulous veges and fruit (not to mention cheest) (it's a vegan grocery store) and they're a coop so all the money they make goes to the workers after expenses. I buy my nuts there and nuts are pretty expensive...10.99 for organic walnuts
Plus they've been supporting SF since the 60's

It is a bit overpriced - but the convenience factor outweighs a few bucks for me . I can ride the bus home (BTW -ity is comepletly accessible by the #24 which stops at the door, and the #67 which stops at folsom) and pick up organic veggies, fresh bread, cheese and a bootle of wine (decent wine for under$10!). Not to mention herbs and not-easy-to-find ingredients. My partner lives in Hayes Valley and you can't shop for ffod there - you have to eat out. I'd rather have The GL then some over priced psuedo 'health food store'/corner store any day.