It’s just a grocery store. Honestly, if you drove past it too fast while navigating the white-knuckle hairpin turns of Laurel Canyon Boulevard, you might think it’s just a cramped, overgrown deli. But you'd be wrong. Dead wrong. The Canyon Country Store in Laurel Canyon isn't just a place to grab a bottle of wine or a surprisingly good deli sandwich; it is the literal, beating heart of a neighborhood that defined the counterculture of the 1960s and 70s.
Walk in. The smell hits you immediately—a mix of high-end incense, fresh coffee, and that specific wooden scent that only old buildings in damp canyons seem to possess. It feels heavy with history.
The General Store Where Rock Gods Bought Milk
Most "historic" spots in Los Angeles feel like museums. They’ve been polished until the soul is gone. But this place? It’s gritty. It’s real. Back in the day, if you were hanging out at the Canyon Country Store, you weren't just a tourist; you were probably waiting for Jim Morrison to stumble in or Joni Mitchell to pick up some cheese.
The lore is thick here. Legend has it that Morrison wrote "Love Her Madly" about the girl who worked behind the counter. Whether that’s 100% verified by a notary public doesn't really matter to the locals. What matters is the vibe. The store served as the community bulletin board long before Reddit or Instagram existed. If you needed a bass player, you stuck a flyer on the wall. If you needed to know where the party was tonight at Mama Cass’s house, you asked the guy behind the register.
More Than Just Groceries
You’ve got to understand the geography to understand the store. Laurel Canyon is a labyrinth. It’s easy to get lost, and for decades, the residents liked it that way. Because the houses are tucked into creases of the mountain where mail trucks struggle and cell service still drops out, the Canyon Country Store became the default town square.
It’s a "general store" in the truest sense. You can find a $70 bottle of organic small-batch mezcal sitting right next to a dusty can of beans. That’s the canyon in a nutshell. Wealthy rock stars live next door to struggling poets who haven't paid their electric bill in three months. They both end up on the front patio of the store, sitting on the legendary "red bench," drinking coffee and pretending they aren't looking at each other.
Why the Vibe Never Actually Died
People keep saying Laurel Canyon has "gone corporate." They point at the real estate prices—which are, frankly, insane—and say the magic is dead. But they haven't spent a Tuesday morning at the Canyon Country Store in Laurel Canyon.
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The current owner, Tommy Sarieddine, has been the gatekeeper of this energy for decades. He’s the one who kept the neon signs humming and the deli counter churning out the famous "New Yorker" sandwiches. He understands that he isn't just running a business; he’s presiding over a landmark.
There’s a sign outside that says "Coffee, Food, Groceries, Spirits." It’s simple. But it's the "Spirits" part that feels multi-layered. Yeah, they sell vodka. But the spirits of Frank Zappa, David Crosby, and Graham Nash feel like they’re still hovering around the wine racks.
The Famous Red Bench
If those wooden slats could talk, they’d probably tell you to mind your own business. The bench out front is the ultimate equalizer. You’ll see a guy in a $3,000 suit talking to a woman who looks like she just walked out of a 1967 commune. They’re both complaining about the traffic on the 101.
That’s the secret.
The store provides a sense of belonging in a city that often feels like a series of disconnected glass boxes. When you shop at the Canyon Country Store, you aren't just a customer. You're part of the "Canyonites."
Navigating the Labyrinth: What to Actually Do There
Don't just go in, buy a Snickers, and leave. That’s amateur hour.
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First, look up. The ceiling and walls are covered in memorabilia that isn't curated by a high-end interior designer; it’s just stuff that accumulated over time. Posters, photos, and weird knick-knacks that have survived multiple fires and mudslides.
Second, hit the deli. The food is actually good. It’s not "good for a gas station" good—it’s legitimately delicious. The sandwiches are hefty. Take one outside.
Third, check the wine selection. For a tiny neighborhood market, the curation is surprisingly sophisticated. They know their audience. They know that the person living in the wood-shingled shack up the hill might be a world-class cinematographer with a penchant for French Bordeaux.
The Resident Characters
Every time I visit, I see at least one person who looks like they haven't left the canyon since 1974. Usually wearing a lot of turquoise jewelry. These are the keepers of the flame. Talk to them. Or don't. They’ll probably ignore you anyway, which is part of the charm.
The Canyon Country Store in Laurel Canyon thrives on a specific kind of "cool" that doesn't try too hard. It’s messy. The aisles are narrow. Sometimes the thing you want is out of stock. But that’s the point. It’s an antidote to the sterile, self-checkout, fluorescent-lit nightmare of modern big-box retail.
Surviving the Modern Era
It hasn't been easy. The store has survived the "Manson Family" era, the cocaine-fueled 80s, and the rise of Amazon Fresh. Why does it stick around? Because you can’t download a sense of place.
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During the pandemic, the store was a lifeline. When the rest of the world felt like it was ending, the lights at the Canyon Country Store were still on. People would walk down from their hillside retreats just to see another human face, even if it was half-covered by a mask. It reminded everyone that the community was still there, tucked away in the trees.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think this is a tourist trap. It isn't. Sure, fans of The Doors show up in their rental cars, looking for "Love Street" (which is right across the road). But if the store only relied on tourists, it would have folded years ago.
The store survives on the loyalty of the people who live in the 90046 zip code. It’s the place where you get your emergency milk at 9:00 PM. It’s where you find out whose dog got loose. It’s a functional piece of infrastructure disguised as a psychedelic relic.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
If you’re planning to make the pilgrimage to the Canyon Country Store in Laurel Canyon, keep a few things in mind.
- Parking is a nightmare. Seriously. Don't expect a massive lot. There are a few spots out front, but they fill up fast. Be prepared to park further away and walk, but watch out for the cars zooming around the bends. They don't stop for pedestrians.
- Bring your appetite. The "Mama Cass" sandwich is a local favorite for a reason.
- Respect the locals. Remember that for many people, this is just their neighborhood market. Don't be the person blocking the aisle while trying to take a selfie with a loaf of bread.
- Explore the surroundings. After you grab your coffee, walk across the street to see the "Love Street" house. Look at the architecture of the surrounding homes. You’ll see everything from mid-century modern masterpieces to weird, hand-built cabins that look like they’re held together by prayer and patchouli.
The Bottom Line
The Canyon Country Store is a reminder that Los Angeles is more than just a collection of freeways and film studios. It’s a city of hidden pockets. Some of those pockets are filled with gold, and some are filled with dust. The canyon is a bit of both.
As long as that store is standing, the spirit of the 60s hasn't completely evaporated into the smog. It’s still there, tucked away in a deli case, waiting for someone to notice.
Go there. Buy a sandwich. Sit on the bench. Look at the trees. For a few minutes, you might actually understand why everyone moved to the hills in the first place. It wasn't just for the view; it was for the feeling that you were part of something slightly outside the law, slightly outside the norm, and entirely unique.
Next Steps for Your Laurel Canyon Adventure:
- Check the Deli Hours: They usually stop serving hot food earlier than the store closes, so aim for a lunch-time arrival to get the full experience.
- Visit the Basement: There’s a boutique downstairs called "Canyon Gourmet" that features local artisan goods, vintage finds, and high-end pantry items that feel very "L.A. Canyon Chic."
- Look for the Plaque: Find the historical markers around the area that detail the musical history of the specific houses nearby, like the site of the former "Log Cabin" where Frank Zappa lived.
- Drive Slowly: This isn't a suggestion. The roads are narrow and the residents are protective. Respect the canyon, and the canyon will respect you back.