{"id":205228,"date":"2025-09-06T14:51:14","date_gmt":"2025-09-06T14:51:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/205228\/"},"modified":"2025-09-06T14:51:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-06T14:51:14","slug":"zero-waste-grocery-store-opening-in-south-park-this-fall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/205228\/","title":{"rendered":"Zero-Waste Grocery Store Opening in South Park This Fall"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to zero waste, Origins Grocer<\/a> owner Maria Herrera believes progress is better than perfection. She doesn\u2019t even like the term zero waste<\/a>\u2014it sounds like an impossible goal, doesn\u2019t it? But since opening Origins last year, her vision has been to help educate people how to take steps, even baby ones, to reduce their impact on the earth<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we\u2019re trying to do is really just give people an option to shop with less waste and more intention,\u201d Herrera explains. Origins sources close to 1,000 different products like locally roasted coffee, eggs from a farm in Ramona<\/a>, all sorts of spices, herbs, nuts, seeds, grains, beauty items, and much more, all in minimal to no packaging to massively reduce waste and support local producers<\/a> at the same time. It\u2019s a one-stop shop for the most part, and it\u2019s worked better than she dreamed. So well, in fact, she\u2019s opening a second location at 2361 30th Street on Friday, September 12 (in time for Taste of South Park<\/a> the next day).<\/p>\n

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Herrera wasn\u2019t actively looking to expand quite so soon after launching the business. \u201cI was approached by somebody in the neighborhood,\u201d she says, so she started looking around. Even though the two locations are only two miles apart, South Park<\/a> has comparatively fewer* grocery options for the hyperlocal community. When the former Plum Pottery building came up for lease, she saw an opportunity to both plug into the neighborhood and expand her vision of Origins.<\/p>\n

Since the space in South Park is much larger than the North Park<\/a> suite, she\u2019ll have room to add more retail, more fresh and refrigerated goods, a few bistro tables for onsite consumption, and what Herrera calls a \u201ccommunity table\u201d for workshops, group dinners, and various classes. \u201cWe\u2019re always looking for local makers and creators in the food space<\/a>, but also it doesn\u2019t have to be food\u2026 if people want to reach out, please do, because we\u2019re looking for opportunities to collaborate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Zero-wasteCourtesy of Origins Grocer<\/p>\n

Along with reducing waste, community and collaboration are keystones of Origins. Any opportunity for people to learn, connect, and create together is a golden one, and one Herrera hopes people keep responding well to. And hey, if you can help save the earth at the same time, so much the better.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Origins Grocer<\/a> soft opens on Friday, September 12 at 2361 30th Street in South Park, and will host an official grand opening party later this fall. Its first location at 2855 El Cajon Boulevard, Suite 4 in North Park is currently open Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.<\/p>\n

*Yes, I am aware there is a Target and a Food Bowl in South Park. I said fewer, not none!<\/p>\n

\"ElCourtesy of El Cajon Oktoberfest<\/p>\n

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events<\/p>\n

Yes, It\u2019s September. That Means Oktoberfest Time.<\/p>\n

Contrary to popular belief, Oktoberfest almost always kicks off in September (and is my favorite event of the year). There are a few events you should have on your radar, though\u2014I\u2019m looking at you, El Cajon Oktoberfest<\/a>, as well as the yodeling competition at Original 40<\/a>\u2014but the first one of the season runs from September 19 through 28 at Liberty Public Market. Craftoberfest<\/a> features rotating brewery specials, live entertainment, games, specials, and all sorts of goodies to get into the Oktoberfest spirit. Remember: Oktoberfest season is a marathon, not a sprint. Good luck, and prost!<\/p>\n

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