The Goods Mart // Rachel Krupa

Founder Rachel Krupa credit Vanessa Tierney.jpg

Rachel Krupa, the glowiest food-PR maven we know, recently opened up fresh and healthy version of 7-11, aka The Goods Mart. As an extremely connected foodie, she sought out to shake up the convenience store industry with a glowed-up version filled with fresh and socially conscious brands. Rachel’s dream of a new kind of convenience store began eight years ago when she founded Krupa Consulting, a boutique food and wellness PR firm. Krupa works with restaurants, snack brands, and wellness thought leaders – all passionate about ingredient quality, ethical sourcing, and consciously created business. They’ve inspired her to inspire others.

Rachel Krupa grew up in rural Michigan, where she grabbed milk, eggs, toilet paper, or ice cream for her parents at her local convenience store and chatted up neighbors and ran around the aisles. She later learned half the town’s names while bagging groceries at Pinny Food Center in town. These spaces shape her and her family’s lives. They matter.

With so many of everyday experiences going high tech. No matter how “convenient” things are, people are all instinctually yearning for community. The Goods Mart creates this, bringing the best curated products to a reimagined neighborhood space. From snacks to butter and toilet paper to shampoo, every item has been hand-curated for amazing taste or function and ethical, eco-responsible practices. The Goods Mart cares. The products in there are all vetted by Rachel herself, and you can trust that you’re getting the best of the best at The Goods Mart.

The Goods Mart is meant to serve its community. With better food and products come a higher price tag, and their goal was always to make the store accessible to everyone by democratizing the products they carry and making it a place where anyone can shop regularly.

So, they worked hard to offer an amazing 8oz coffee for only $1.25, a 12oz coffee for $2, and more. They’ve balanced accessibility with planet-friendliness (no single serve plastic bottles will ever hit shelves) and curated the best possible products for a range of budgets. They’re offering Kelvin’s organic slushies in paper cups, selling upcycled “cosmetically challenged” organic and local fruits and veggies for less, and always meeting these core standards:

• No artificial colors • No artificial flavors • No artificial sweeteners • No growth hormones or hormone disruptors • Only humanely raised animal proteins that are nitrate-, antibiotic-, and GMO-free • No harmful pesticides • Reduced use of plastics (BPA-free only) • Exclusively organic cottons =• Always better packaging • Transparency

With a location NYC - Soho - check out the curated 300+ mission‑driven products that are not only delicious, but also better for you and the environment. The Goods Mart is a new kind of destination where neighbors get to know each other while grabbing a real good coffee, a candy bar, a tasty sandwich, chips, or the essentials — eggs, toilet paper, and milk.

GOODS MART // www.thegoodsmart.com

NAME:

Rachel Krupa

NICKNAME:

Rach or Krupa

PROFESSION:

Publicist and Convenience Store owner!

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

Pinconning, Michigan

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

I ping Pong between New York and LA

WHEN YOU’RE EATING HEALTHY, WHAT IS A TYPICAL…

I follow a plant-based diet.
BREAKFAST: I’m not a big breakfast person, but when I do, it’s fruit and/or Banana Bread! Plus matcha or Earl Grey or English Breakfast tea

LUNCH: I tend to graze all day, so I normally do not have a formal lunch. I always have a bar of some sort – I love Clif Bars, Hey Freda, Go Macro, Perfect Bar. I also snack on hummus (love lima bean rather than chickpea), cashew queso from Siete or Honest Stand Plant-based cheese dip with carrots, cucumbers and/or Laiki Crackers or Forager Chips

DINNER: A lot of steamed veggies: depending on the season and what’s at the farmer’s market, nut cheeses (LOVE Monty’s and Miyoko’s), avocado toasts, quinoa and mung beans A piece of chocolate for dessert or ice cream – Loving Little Secret Wafers OR Eating Evolved Coconut Butter Cups (I have one cup or one wafer). For ice cream, I love Oatly, Coconut Cult or Nada Moo.

SNACK (same as lunch ☺)

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS/RESTAURANTS TO EAT HEALTHY?

Since I split my time between New York and LA, I’ll share my favorites on both coasts: New York – Maman, Café Gitane, The Jones, Two Hands, Bluestone Lane, The Smile, Pasquale Jones (have the best oven roasted veggies), Mimi Cheng’s, Hanoi House, Fairfax Los Angeles – Botanica, Verve in the Arts District, All Day Baby, Sushi Park, Nic’s, Café Gratitude, Monty’s, All Time, Triniti, Honey Hi

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INDULGENCE?

I love a good burger & fries… plant-based or a great quality beef! Dumplings Tacos!

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS/RESTAURANTS TO INDULGE?

While I think my favorite indulgence place are still healthy, but they use the know where they are purveying their ingredients and using great proteins and local produce. New York; Pasquale Jones – the Diavola Pizza (love, I pick off the cheese), Via Crotia, Momofuku Ssam Bar, Red Farm, Casa Enrique, Anton’s, Sauced (just opening) Los Angeles: Freeman’s, Mzhz, Bavel, Nightshade, Badmaash, El Condor, Majordomo

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR LAST MEAL ON EARTH?

Sushi Park with a bottle of sake

WHAT IS THE BEST DISH YOU COOK/ YOUR FAVORITE RECIPE?

I’m a horrible cook! I work with restaurants and chefs for a living, so I’ll leave the cooking to them! I do make a mean bowl of steam veggies though! However, I do collect cookbooks – I think they are essential in any kitchen along with a great tea kettle.

WHERE DO YOU GROCERY SHOP?

Essentials my store – The Goods Mart Produce – I try to hit up the Farmer’s Market as much as possible, if not Rick’s in Silver Lake OR Whole Foods Otherwise, I do like a good trip to Erewhon, Lassen’s or Whole Foods

TOP 3 ITEMS YOU ALWAYS HAVE IN YOUR KITCHEN?

Veggies Gluten-free/vegan pastry – normally ½ eaten Nutritional yeast Random I know… but there’s always a pint of ice cream in the freezer + a container of hummus/plant-based cheese + chips/crackers. Narrowing to 3 is SOOO TOUGH

WHAT IS YOUR FITNESS REGIMEN? (how often & what you do)

I’m a devotee to Pilates – 7 days a week! BIG BIG New York Pilates (NYC) or Natural Pilates (LA) I also like to mix in once a week yoga Roam in LA is my all-time favorite – I’m still looking for my yoga home in NYC.

WHAT IS YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE? (products, facials, etc)

I love to keep my skin hydrated since I’m a frequent flyer… Favorite products: Luzern, Surya Oil and Collagen Cream, Cocokind mymatcha Stick for my eyes, Hema for lips! I also love True Botanical Mists. I also love a good mask: Joanna Vargas, Acure Brightening Scrub, Tatcha Violet C Radiance Surya also makes an amazing body oil with amazing herbs that they customize for my dosha. I also love Aesop Body Oil – it smells heavenly Throughout the day, I toss on essential oils – stress away, valor, ylang ylang or blue tansy (or a combo of them all) – my sister is an amazing aromatherapist and she makes me custom ones (https://bewellholistic.net/about-be-well-holistic/)

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE MAKEUP/NATURAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS?

New addiction is SAIE mascara and brow gel Hourglass Foundation Stick RMS foundation (when I need more coverage) RMS & Hourglass lipstick – ALWAYS A BRIGHT RED OR PINK RMS bronzers

IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 PRODUCTS WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU?

A red lipstick Hourglass Foundation Stick Surya Collagen Cream

WHAT PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY/HEALTH/FITNESS/SPIRITUAL GURUS DO YOU SWEAR BY?

Heather Andersen – New York Pilates Marissa Reich at Green Line Beauty – amazing facialist My sister Tanja Krupa (https://bewellholistic.net/about-be-well-holistic/) – she does energy work remotely as well as in person Angelica Sepulveda – Indigo Body Balance – massage and energy Taryn Toomey

TOP 3 FAVORITE SONGS?

Tough – I’m a playlist/soundtrack person and I love pandora. I love “Indie Folk Music”, “Dreamy Snow Day”, “Hipster Holiday” – don’t judge me by the names. I like chill, alternative, indie-folk music. Tossed in with some hip hop and Bob Moses. Also loving the Big Little Lies soundtrack MOST-WATCHED MOVIE? Flashdance Marvel movies – love them all Booksmart I love movies that make me laugh and transport me for a few hours!

MOST LIFE-CHANGING BOOK?

Eastern Body – Western Minds

FAVORITE SHOPS/BOUTIQUES?

Rachel Comey, Anine Bing, Mixed Business, Ulla Johnson, Mohawk General Store, Pas Mal, I’m also loving Nuuly right now! When I’m in Michigan, I love to thrift shop – I always find amazing tees, jeans and dresses!

COOLEST PLACE YOU’VE EVER VISITED?

OBSESSED with Tokyo and Copenhagen

FAVORITE HOTELS?

Aman Kyoto Also love Santa Monica Proper! Before I had my place in New York, I called the Ludlow Hotel home, so I have a lot of love for it! Ohhhh, Crow’s Nest in Montauk is also a gem!

WHAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

Small and meaningful ones – crystals, books with a beautiful note inside, vintage glasses, antique food packaging.

MOST PROFOUND HEALING EXPERIENCE YOU’VE EVER HAD?

7 days of Panchakarma from Surya Spa! Surya changed my life and instilled wellness practices that I do daily!

WHO ARE YOUR MOST TRUSTED HEALERS?

Martha Soffer Michael Nourse Dr. Shari Auth

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE YOU’VE HAD TO FACE AND WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM IT?

There’s so many… starting Krupa Consulting, opening The Goods Mart while running Krupa Consulting and finding the balance between both of them. I realized I can’t do everything myself and asking for help is not a weakness, but a strength. When you have a good team supporting you, you’re able to do more and do it with confidence. It’s also more fun to build things with an amazing group rather than climbing the mountain solo.

DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.

Waking up without an alarm, going to an early morning Pilates class, meditating, slowly getting ready while listening to amazing music. Going to coffee/brunch with friends. Walking around and exploring – shopping, going to a gallery, hitting up another coffee shop. Having some down time – listening to music, snuggling on the couch! Ending the night with an amazing dinner and an amazing bottle of sake or natural wine!

WHAT IS YOUR MOST VALUABLE GLOW TIP/SECRET?

Believe in yourself and know you can do it! There’s never going to be a perfect moment to start something… so just do it. Do something that you’re passionate about regularly! It will bring more purpose into your life.

FAVORITE QUOTE?

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu “May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.”