The Wellest., now open in Long Beach, California, is a modern mercantile that’s a hybrid retail and community space where people can explore and discover brands that champion sustainable, ethical, and health-positive living. The vision of Long Beach native Brandi Andres, The Wellest, is to revolutionize conscious shopping offering a curated selection of booze-free beverages (and a lounge where guests can enjoy them), clean beauty collections, eco-home essentials, fair trade accessories, and more.
Building a Brand
“I’ve spent years researching and using brands that contribute to living a mindful life,” says Andres, who began investigating the ingredients in her skincare, household cleaning products, and food in 2015. A series of events led Andres to look at her shopping and lifestyle choices while she was enrolled in a 22-week course on the conservation and taxonomy of flora and fauna. During that time, she learned how palm oil, a key ingredient in many commonly used products, contributed to deforestation and the destruction of wild habitats for orangutans.
“Everything in my life, at that time, seemed to point me in this new direction. I was experiencing pain and inflammation from certain skincare products, and illness from glucose intolerance, all while learning about the negative impacts palm oil was having on the environment and wildlife. It was a turning point, and I made a conscious decision to know more about how to nourish my body and change the course of the impact I was making.” The natural next step for Andres was to create a holistic community space where every purchase contributes positively to a person’s overall wellness and the natural world.
“I believe deeply that everything we do impacts another part of the whole, and we can bring things back into balance by supporting brands with high standards and values that truly benefit our wellbeing,” says Andres who is proud to be reaching this milestone with her first business just as she reaches another in her life, turning 50. “It’s been a transformative few years for me and I’m looking forward to welcoming everyone into The Wellest. to explore and discover products that will contribute positively to their lives and the world around them.”
Forming The Wellest.
In 2019, she began the work to make The Wellest. a reality and soft launched online in 2021. Then in 2023, just as Andres was securing the location for the brick-and-mortar concept shop, The Wellest. earned recognition for its virtual-only storefront from the Long Beach Post as one of the “Top 5 Best Boutiques” and from Long Beach Living as the “Best Apparel Retail” option for sustainable fashion.
Located on East Broadway between the historic residential neighborhoods of Belmont Heights and Bluff Park, The Wellest. is a welcoming new hybrid retail experience along a street dotted with boutique skin care and hair care businesses, cafés, and restaurants. Outside, the upcycled storefront sign was updated with energy-efficient LED lights. Inside, the newly renovated, minimalist space designed by Andres features GreenGuard Gold Certified flooring made from recycled wood and bamboo dust, and walls painted with a zero VOC-formula with air purifying technology. A statement bar, custom designed by Andres was handmade by a local Southern California artisan and serves as a spot for tastings.
About The Wellest. Space
Throughout the bright, open space, tabletops and neatly lined shelves display a collection of brands Andres has reviewed for the ingredients, values, and commitments that align with mindful living. “I look for brands that uphold at least three values that align with The Wellest. So, I’m considering how brands approach social responsibility, health and wellness, animal welfare, and the protection of our natural resources. This includes products made of recycled materials and non-toxic ingredients, alcohol-free beverages, and brands that are women-owned, cruelty-free, fair trade, BIPOC-owned, and more. I also love featuring brands with uplifting and inspiring stories and I’m drawn to thoughtful design and packaging.”
Happy Every Hour – NA Beverages
Non-alcoholic beverages include wine, beer, and “spirits” like Spiritless, Ritual Zero Proof, Ghia, Athletic Brewing, California-crafted Sovi, and Australian NON wines, plus adaptogenic apéritifs like Katy Perry’s De Soi. New offerings are added each week and will soon include herbal elixirs, cocktail mixers, bitters, and all-natural fruit simple syrups. An intimate lounge, sidewalk patio with bistro tables, and three-seat community bar offer space to relax and mingle during regular Friday happy hours or any time guests are looking for a refreshment.
Sober Curator Pro Tip: Check out our HAPPY EVERY HOUR section for reviews on many of the great brands that are carried at The Wellest.
#ADDTOCART THE WELLEST
#ADDTOCART
Clean beauty, and responsible skin and hair care brands for all genders and ages include options like Poppy & Pout, Suntegrity, Ursa Major, Salt & Stone, EVOLVh hair care, Kinfield, and Honua Hawaiian Skincare.
The homegoods collection spotlights fair trade and handmade items, as well as options for the kitchen, bedroom, and laundry.
Among the rotating selection of apparel and accessories are items that give back to the community like the Love Is Project bracelets, and those that support women-owned small businesses like Hemlock designer bandanas and scarves.
“For some guests, everything in the store introduces a new idea. Others walk in and are excited that we’re the first hyper-local shop to stock their favorite brands. We’re here to welcome everyone regardless of where they are on their journey,” says Andres.
Most items available in the Long Beach location of The Wellest., are also available to shop online at TheWellestLife.com for anyone in the contiguous U.S.
Follow The Wellest. on Instagram, Facebook.
About The Wellest.
The Wellest. is on a mission to change the way—and more importantly “the why”—people shop.
Now open in Long Beach, California, The Wellest., is a modern mercantile and conscious community space for exploration and discovery. Long Beach native Brandi Andres has thoughtfully curated a collection of goods including booze-free beverages, clean beauty products, fair trade homegoods, artisan jewelry, eco-home essentials, and more. Items offered at The Wellest. contribute to sustainable, ethical, and health-positive living. For more information, visit TheWellestLife.com.
#ADDTOCART: Shopping is our cardio. We love to shop. (Mindfully, of course!) This section of our site features unique sobriety gifts, recovery swag, products, and miscellaneous merch we adore. Plus, we love discovering and featuring small businesses founded by people in recovery, sober makers, and businesses that simply support the sober community.
Make sure to also peep out our curated Amazon finds for #QUITLIT, glassware, recovery merch & gifts, and so much more!
HAPPY EVERY HOUR: We know we mix a mean mocktail. HAPPY EVERY HOUR will keep you updated on the latest and most significant trends in NA craft beers, mocktails and zero-proof beverages.
TRIGGER WARNING: People in early sobriety may want to proceed with caution. Always read labels. Please hydrate responsibly … because drunk never looks good.
THE BEVERAGE CATEGORIES:
Do you love Non-Alcoholic Craft Beers and the 90s? Then you’re in for a treat! Sober Curator Justin Lamb is dedicated to tasting great (sometimes not so great) NA beers and showcasing his fantastic collection of memorabilia from the ’90s.
NA Bevies & Mocks brings you mocktail recipes, NA beverage reviews, along with NA wine & spirit alternatives
Manic Monday got you in a panic? Fear not! Tonix Mocktail’s brings you Just a Merry Monday MOCKTAIL recipe, review, and how-to section bring fun and clever mocktail treats and tips to customize your at-home zero-proof bar.
Do you want to #ADDTOCART and grab some Happy Every Hour merch? Yeah, we don’t blame you.
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
