Sustainable Sustenance

1590 East Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014

Hours

Mon-Thu. 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Friday 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Sat. 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Sun. 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

the food

All food sold or prepared at Luci’s Healthy Marketplace is free of preservatives.  This is a comforting feeling for everyone who is used to reading the labels on everything you buy.  The owners of Luci’s manage the market with the philosophy that healthy should taste good.  From the delicious fresh bread and pastries to the sandwiches, salads and daily specials, we think they’ve nailed it.  Another great thing about Luci’s is the options for people on the go – you can bring home delicious, healthy meals without working all day in the kitchen or compromising on taste and ingredients.  There is a noticeable difference in how the food tastes at Luci’s compared to many other places.  The quality of ingredients is great and there is great care placed on flavor.  The thing that makes Luci's a unique Phoenix treasure is it's grocery store.  Having created this mixed-used space with a coffee bar, restaurant and grocery store Luci's manages to entice locals into the store for community gathering, healthy food shopping, and ofcourse delicious sandwiches and pastries.

the location

Luci’s Healthy Marketplace is located at 16^th Street and Bethany Home, a historically good spot to find great food in Phoenix with Richardson’s next door.  There are close bus routes on both cross streets and it’s a close walk for many nearby residents.  For all of you Phoenicians who are driving, it’s a quick jump from the 51 and from Central Ave.

the dining experience

If you visit Luci’s during the cooler seasons the garage-style doors are open and the natural breeze is flowing. 

The atmosphere is laid back, comfortable and relaxing.  The décor compliments the building’s age – mid-century retro with a modern twist.  The coffee bar is a daily stop for many and you get a great sense of community with the other patrons. 

There are plenty of seating with options for those who want a quiet place to read and those who want to people watch. 

The atmosphere is enhanced by the grocery store.  Luci's feels more like an urban marketplace rather than a quiet sit-down restaurant.  

building/operations

Luci’s Health Marketplace is in an older shopping center and the owners took advantage by exposing the great wood and brick construction and minimizing the use of new materials. 

The space has many green features including dual flush, water efficient toilets and energy efficient light fixtures. 

Luci’s has developed an operations plan that minimizes waste – as produce and other items are reaching the end of their shelf life they are either brought into the kitchen to make delicious healthy food or given to employees to take home.  Because these food items are not being thrown away, food waste has been minimized.  Many employees live close and ride their bikes to work, minimizing the market’s carbon footprint.  The kitchen is shared with the vendor who makes their great pastries, saving energy costs and resources for both parties.

community impact

The owners of Luci’s are committed to the greater Phoenix community but especially to the local community around 16^th and Bethany Home.  They support many of the businesses in the area in any way they can and offer healthy cooking classes to the community in the store.  They also support the local economy by placing a 'local' label on locally-produced items in the grocery store.

With it's unique mixed-use combination of grocery store and restaurant, Luci's prides itself in being a community gathering spot.  Luci and all her staff make sure that you feel at home and they know your name whether you're checking out your groceries or ordering a coffee and muffin.

affordability

Luci’s Healthy Marketplace restaurant portion is a great value for the price.  There is something for every budget and items like their delicious salads would be 2 meals for a lot of people.  The items in the grocery store, however, come at a premium.  Some items are reasonably priced, but many are more expensive than what you would find at a large chain.  Granted Luci's carries many local, organic, vegan, and gluten-free items you would not normally find at your nearest large grocery chain.  We hope to see the prices come down in the future because we love to support a small, locally-owned grocery like Luci's.

We at Sustainable Sustenance give Luci’s Healthy Marketplace a Green Rating.  Thanks Luci for chatting with us!