True, organic foods were around long before artificial and prepackaged ones. Yet when LifeThyme All-Natural Market opened in Greenwich Village 20 years ago, most people thought of “organic” as being a bit odd. 

Funny how times change.

LifeThyme was offering organic foods before there was widespread demand from the public and health officials to eliminate additives, pesticides and other unhealthy substances from consumables. Over the years, the store has steadily expanded to include a full complement of natural health and body items; household products; fresh produce; and perishable, nonperishable and frozen foods.

“We look at it this way: We care about our customers, and we want them to be around for a long time,” the owners of LifeThyme Market explain on its website. “Sometimes we wonder why so many other companies don’t seem to share our belief and commitment to only make or sell products that start from a better place and are made from only natural ingredients. You’ll notice we stamp everything we package with a Made On date. This tells you when we made and packaged this creation. That’s what we know; that’s what you can trust.”

Location: 410 6th Ave., New York, NY. For more information, visit LifeThymeMarket.com.