Robin Cervantes is a certified health counselor specializing in food sensitivities and inflammation. Living with food allergies herself, Cervantes was having a hard time finding safe products, so she began to make her own.

“That snowballed into this space,” Cervantes said of her business, Sanctuary Holistic Kitchen.

Before opening the shop, Cervantes spent four and a half years as a vendor at the Wolf Ranch Farmers Market. She said creating a permanent space allowed Sanctuary to offer continued education in holistic health for both children and adults, along with bulk items to help cut down on waste.

The retail store opened in February 2019 and offers natural remedies, skin care and healing foods.

“We make about 80% of what is offered in this store on-site,” Cervantes said. The remaining space houses handmade products from other local crafters that meet the allergen-free ingredient requirements, she said.

Patrons can bring their refillable jars, jugs and bags to stock up on essentials in an environmentally conscious way. Bulk items include natural cleaning products, bath and body care, medicinal syrups, essential and carrier oils, granola, honey, herbs, spices, teas and coffee beans.

In the fall, Sanctuary began selling grab-and-go items. Now, customers can pick up single-serving portions of hot soup, bone broth, salads, vegan desserts, and coffee and tea to-go.

Classes are also seeing an increase in attendance, Cervantes said. Monthly kids' classes with seasonal themes—apple pie or allergen-free cookies and coco, for example—are available, as are adult classes.

“The goal of this space is to make holistic living accessible to a person, wherever they are on their healing journey,” she said. “If they are just starting out, there are lots of opportunities to learn here, by chatting with me or taking classes and workshops.”

She said people "further into their wellness journey" can also benefit from more hands-on learning and from having an accessible and affordable place to buy and refill holistic products.