Topanga Creek General Store

The most friendly neighborhood grocery store you could dream of! I've lived here 30 years, (as of June 2, 2024) and this great store makes our little village of Topanga so much better! Thank you Simon!

Lovely little cafe right off the main road. Gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options clearly marked. Food was delicious, employees were nice, and they have a great little assortment of shop items for the casual browser or buyer.

Helen and Simon are terrific people, you'll typically find them here... Actually I'm not even sure if they ever go home?!! There's an improved produce section that now has refrigeration... This has vastly improved the quality of our general store. The shelves are lining up more soldiered to resemble Gelsons. Great job!! Looking good!! If you spend some time looking around the store, you'll find that in a very curious way, it has almost everything you're looking for!! If you need something a little more gourmet you can go across the street to canyon gourmet but it's remarkable how well Helen, Simon and the rest of the Young family select the products that are on the shelves. Having lived in Topanga my entire life, I can still remember when there was an ice cream parlor just across the street from our general store. I used to always want the rainbow sherbet. Years ago the owner of the General Store used to be Joe...do you remember?? So I always try to leave some suggestions for the owners because I really want businesses in our community, particularly one that is a cornerstone of our community to excel and improve and make even more money while serving all of us in a greatly needed and appreciated way. My main suggestion is to clean and get rid of all of the cobwebs that we can see in the front part of the store up high, over the door and surrounding, as we are checking out. Do some dusting and keep everything looking tidy. So I would say this is a three-star review. Highly trending towards four star as Helen has shared with me that they are going to be doing some improvements! I am truly excited to see where the store goes! You might ask why it's not a higher review. I want our general store to look fresh and clean and new and not look like it did when I was a child growing up in the mid '70s.... when it actually was new! ☺️ If we all can do our best to shop more frequently there then perhaps Simon and Helen can find it in them to make these updates. This review will be updated routinely as I anticipate great advancements. 👍👍 6.26.2023 Update: Each time we visit the General Store, things look like they are better organized and presented as well as having fresher stock. Hoping we keep on this trajectory as it would be really cool to have the General Store in Topanga be like a smaller version of what we can find at Whole Foods or Erewhon, yet supporting our local business. We NEED this place to thrive for all of us. Raising to 4 Stars. Keep it up, guys!

Went to the Canyon Bistro in town last night, had a bowl of some of the best clam chowder and garlic bread, I have ever eaten. This evening we ate at LaChingona tacos stand, I ordered the shrimp tacos, they were excellant. The staff in both places were very kind, helpful and friendly.

One of my favorite General stores and I dont even live around here. I come here and stop on my way to or back from hiking. I learned that Jim Morrison of the Doors used to come here. Not sure the validity. The store has lots of great snacks and cold beverages. Staff is nice and friendly. Parking is easy.

Real deal well stocked general store. By the way the Kimchee sold near the meat section is amazing. I think the owners make it themselves.

On way through topanga stopped and bought 17.77 worth of stuff, checked my bank later they had actually charged me 177.77. Phone number for store does not work and it appears I'm just out 160$... Edit: 1 day later No idea how they got my phone number. But they called me and gave me a refund, followed by an apology call from the owner. Super honest

Love the General Store! You can find literally everything!!! And everyone is so nice and helpful!

This is the only grocery option in the area, they were well stocked and very friendly. The store is pretty dim and could use some cleaning and upgrades, but they did have everything we needed. Prices are high, but considering there is nothing else around it is worth it if you need something.very friendly and welcoming, plenty of easy parking as well.

I used to eat here almost every day until last week I caught one of the cooks using sink water to make our coffee. & I asked him why are you doing that? And he Rudely said "WE COOK ALL YOUR FOOD WITH TAP WATER" Topanga tap water is very gross and should not be used to cook with let alone for a coffee.

I would recommend this restaurant to everyone who wants a spectacular meal, view and service. To top this off, our dog was welcomed. Doesn't get much better!@!

Pulled up and walked in - wanted some bottled water (pretty pricey here, but what would one expect walking into a mom and pop general store?). I like the uniqueness of the shop and how homey it feels. There's even a little doggy that was walking around when I was there. I didn't browse much for anything else, but I would rec going here for grocery essentials if it's closer to you than going anywhere else.

Fair prices and kind staff. This store is convenient and the employees are always friendly. Ignore the bad reviews this place is a community gem!

Best little grocer with a real butcher! Love this shop! Wide selection of groceries and other treats.

Helen is a very helpful employee. She has a joyful personality. They have a full convenient shop from A-Z seriously. Full Deli-Fast Food made fresh-house necessities-Great wine selection- and good parking. Prices are a touch higher but you're paying for convenience believe it! I'll be back with a friend for lunch for sure. Thanks Helen

One of the best local markets. The staff is amazing and they have a lot of items that are hard to find. The best little general store ever! Just across the way is a center full of traffic shops and restaurants

Everything I rate in Topanga is done so with the context that it is located IN Topanga. So I guess this means my Topanga reviews are more relevant for locals because if you don't live within the confines of Topanga, you don't understand what a P.I.T.A. it is to drive 30 minutes to the Ralphs in Woodland Hills or Malibu or Vons in the Pacific Palisades. If you have to make that drive daily or even regularly, it's a royal P.I.T.A. so yes, the Topanga Creek General Store ROCKS. First, there's Mike. The older gentleman who runs the place. I love him. He's a Topanga staple. I credit him with why the store is so well stocked. I have literally been out of evaporated milk and they've had it in stock. Onions? Yup. Ice cream? Yup. Protein bars? Yup. Gourmet Chocolate? Yup. Veuve Cliquot? Yup. Oregano? Yup. They are incredibly well stocked for a place so remotely located. I wish I could remember all the random things I've forgotten at the store and needed to pick up from them in a pinch. They also have fresh meat. I actually have in fact purchased their ground beef and it was delicious. Fresh and good. They have a good selection of wines. They have aisles of the normal junk food goods as well as cleaning supplies which comes in handy if readying for guests. The bad: yes it's not immaculately clean. The place is pretty much a step of from a kwanzaa hut - which is, in fact, what the other store in Topanga is made out of. But they have what you need. Even firewood. It's a truly authentic, grimy, grungy Topanga place and it fits the area. I love this General Store. Nothing hipster or "locally made" kitchy about this spot but it serves it's purpose well.

Pleasantly surprised by the amount of things they had for a general store! I was in the area for a night to get out of the city, and this place had everything I needed for dinner/drinks/ and breakfast! The staff was nice and although the prices are high it beat driving out of topanga to go to a different store.

Overpriced ... absolutely But where else are you going to get your goods from? Don't complain if you don't want to drive the 30 minutes to Ralph's. After all time is money right ?

Blink and you'd miss it. Topanga Creek General Store is one of those funky little places you just have to get to know to appreciate canyon life. I imagine it's the kind of place where you get to know every employee's name after the second visit and they know yours after the first. Yeah, it's that friendly. You can find everything from hardware, housewares and wine to packaged food and deli in a store no bigger than the produce section of any Ralphs. It's amazing how much stuff is crammed into this little market. Prices on some of the items seem to be higher than the big boxes but who wants to drive that far to save a few? This place is a welcome stop for those times you got halfway to the beach before you remembered the (insert item here) was still on the kitchen counter at home. If you ever find yourself racing from the Valley to the beach to catch a sunset at the very last minute, TCGS is the perfect in and out for a bottle of good wine, slab of cheese and box of crackers. I posted a few pictures to help you locate the place. If you are heading south all you have to do is look to the right after passing the Post Office. If you are heading north, look left just about the time you pass Hidden Treasures. Tell Mike you saw his store on Yelp. I'm sure he'd get a kick out of that.

I love this store. They serve the community well and always greet you with a warm welcome. They cover a lot of bases by supplying a broad array of food and general items we need on a day-to-day basis. Saves a long trip down the hill, and I love shopping locally.

This place is the only grocery market in town...so needless to say, they feel the right to price gauge and behave rudely . It is a family owned business where all have no manners nor decorum. The daughter or wife in particular is beyound RUDE! God forbid you ask for a price, they'll question you as to why, and then proceed to being sarcastic...asking if you can read the prices. If your deaperate for something and you dont care that the produce they sell is rancid and foul, even the meat, then good luck or proceed with caution. Otherwise, take the journey down to the valley or malibu even santa monica. Dont give these N.Korean ex pats your money.

Whole Foods it is not, but I can't say I mind that. I am a "stick to the perimeter" shopper, so I can't speak to cleaning products or chips and the like, but for meat, veggies and beer (pretty much all I consume), this place is great. The guys at the deli are always friendly, and the cashiers have been polite to me. I have had the tri-tip and new york steak, and both were surprisingly good, and the veggies are reasonably priced and usually not old (though sometimes you have to keep an eye out). Also, their pre-made sandwiches are awesome. While I wish their were more choices for veggies, they have the essentials, and I am glad this is my local store.

Takes some getting used to, but great in a jam. Also, the breakfast sandwiches are good. Very friendly staff.

This place is kind of hidden ... it's on the left hand side if you're heading away from malibu right at the stop light. It's a great little store for emergencies or impulse buys (once we decided we absolutely MUST bake chocolate chip cookies) and then you don't have to make the long treck out to the nearest grocery store, which for me i think was the Ralph's on sunset blvd in the pacific palisades. but of course, if you're used to the selection of a regular market, this place doesn't cut it. and it's super expensive. like a ridiculous. everything costs 30 or 40% more than if you bought somewhere else ... why? because they have to drive it 5 or 10 miles into the canyon? i guess.

The airport is the only other place on planet Earth that hikes prices like this. You should have seen the prices they had going during the beginning of the pandemic- no shame, $12 for 1 saran wrapped paper towel roll. The old man is the ONLY reason this place is good, so friendly, outgoing and helpful. And since it's family owned, all I see are a bunch of his spoiled family members who take zero pride in his store. I actually choose a different aisle to go down if I see the daughter because her demeanor just shouts I don't want to help you. It's dirty, dusty (looks like they havent dusted the storage above the entrance in 10 years), I've bought things expired more than once (if you see SALE sign, check the date!). I just bought firewood this week that was riddled with mouse poop - even if it's not from mice inside the store, you can shake it out or keep it outside. Being a Topanga local, I always gave them the benefit of the doubt, I always prefer to shop locally... but then I overhear they are from Culver. City. So you mean to tell me you come in our neighborhood, run the only market we have between PCH and Woodland and you hike up the prices like that on us? Please go to your own neighborhood and do it there thanks.

The aisles need to be cleaned out of dust, bugs, and expired food. You are a grocery store with rotten fruits and vegetables. Clean up. Reduce intake. Remodel. Specialize. Do something while there is no one in the store because the place is a mess of rotten and expired food that is grossly overpriced. We found a spider in the bowl we were looking to buy. All produce was wilting and rotten. I can acknowledge that the one and only employee there was some help in finding another store nearby, but the hours were not known. Please get these people some help. There is potential.

Topanga General Store (or Moons to us old schoolers) is pretty much the game in town for necessity shopping. Like every upscale costal California town, Topanga has a handful of transients. Moons market, while primarily a pricey connivence store for locals, does double duty as the underground hot spot for"substance trafficking. For 21 years, I stepped over the resident junkies, tweekers and drunks; forgiven the frequent past due "sell-by" dates; paid the outrageous price mark-ups; held my nose; and ran in for an emergency roll of TP or last minute box of cat food. Foolishly, I justified the rip off in the name of "shopping local", "conserving fossil fuel", or "supporting small business". This evening's encounter was the last of too many straws. Add my name to the ever growing list of neighbors who'd rather drive 45 minutes for quart of milk, than walk through the door of this gross store. If you must shop here, please lock your car, check food for mold and open packaging, and count your change.

the only thing keeping this place in business is the convenience factor. If you need some hardware stuff, baking stuff, a toothbrush, etc you'll find it here but at a cost. Probably cost you 50% more if not double. Is it worth it? probably not unless you really need something and don't have the time to drive. Deli here sucks. Sandwiches are nasty. Descent beer selection but overpriced. Used to come here once in awhile but not anymore. On some stuff like beer they don't have marked prices and on any given day they charge you whatever wheel of fortune says. For same 6 pack of beer on 3 different trips I got charged 8.99, 10.99 and last time 11.99(within a month period). Once I brought this up an older asian cashier started screaming at me "yhu lhaying, dhis macrobrew bear, yhu phay 11.99 las thyme". Sure, whatever you say but I didn't. Why have I seen a few other customers complaining about this too? Cigarette prices tend to vary too from 6.75 to $8 for pack of american spirits. If you buy a few items highly suggest asking for a receipt. Avoid this place like plague unless you really have no choice.

I want to say that the people who work at this General Store are very nice and friendly. They sell unusual products that you typically wouldn't find in a general store like Coconut Bliss ice cream and GT's Kombucha as well as pretty decent fresh fruit and vegetables. They also have a large selection of organic wines. They listen to what Topangans like and accommodate them accordingly.

I liked it better when it was Joe's, but a store is a store in Topanga, and if you don't have to leave the canyon to get what you need, that's fabulous. The selection is surprisingly good.

I really enjoy the customer service I receive here at the General. I am always treated very courteously, always receive a 'hello!' when I enter and a 'thanks!' when I leave. The deli counter is reasonably priced, and we often come here to pick up a few boneless chicken breasts for dinner, as well as other random items we need. Living in Topanga Canyon, we don't always want to drive the 7-8 miles down the hill for a few necessities, so it's great to have a friendly convenience store nearby. The location/parking lot around the store does draw some odd characters, homeless hippies that hang around, but no one has ever bothered me and I feel completely safe and non-threatened.

The key word here is "emergency", as in you do not want to drive out of Topanga for one or two items. I would frequent this market more often were it a bit cleaner. I bought a canned good there once that was literally dusty.