Housed in a structure of glass and recycled steel sits a food jewel box otherwise known as SHED, a mercantile for garden, home and kitchen, fresh market, coffee bar, fermentation bar and cafe located in Healdsburg- a small town at the convergence of the vineyard sprinkled valleys in Northern California. This new two story haute general store is a mix of rustic and rarified, designed by the San Francisco-based Jensen Architects, of which SHED’s owners Cindy Daniel and her husband Doug Lipton- who have a small farm in the Dry Creek Valley- conceived as a a combined cafe, classroom, home and goods shop, and community event space.
The culinary culture has made this region of Sonoma County famous, where locals appreciate SHED’s approach to good farming, good cooking and good eating where Daniel and Lipton share the complete food cycle of growing, preparing and enjoying with all. They seek to bring the food community together by offering a tightly curated selection of sustainably sourced goods and lifestyle accoutrements such as fresh produce, dry goods, well-crafted cookware and heritage-brand garden tools. From seed to serving dish, people can see how it’s done and the 10,000 square foot space operates like a modern country grange- where people can gather to share food and ideas- hosting everything from bee keeping workshops to jazz concerts.
Divided into sections titled Eat, Cook and Farm, SHED literally is a shed…however, in the form of a modern-chic agricultural building made from pre-engineered components, and has its own mill which grinds flour for purchase and to supply its kitchen- which was led by Chez Panisse alum Niki Ford until her very recent departure. With rolling vineyards, charming shops on the square, great foodie spots, cool boutique hotels and now SHED, Healdsburg may become the new Napa…but keep it a secret for now. www.healdsburgshed.com
