00:00A popular grocery store known for its pricey, trendy smoothies is at the center of growing
00:03online backlash, after reportedly forcing a TikTok creator to delete her viral dupe recipe videos.
00:10Aeron Market is an upscale grocery chain based in Los Angeles County,
00:13known for its focus on organic, high-quality, healthy foods.
00:16Their smoothies, often priced between $15 and $25, are packed with trendy ingredients like
00:21superfoods, plant-based proteins, and adaptogens, making them a favorite among
00:26wellness enthusiasts and influencers alike. But with that premium image comes controversy.
00:31Recently, a TikTok creator known as a Certified Beverage Girl revealed her popular videos
00:35replicating Erewhon's smoothies had suddenly disappeared.
00:38I received a cease and desist around a month ago from Erewhon. I was met with,
00:44we don't care, take everything down.
00:46The creator explained her attempts to reach a mutual understanding with the company failed,
00:50bluntly saying they have F you money, I do not.
00:53That is why you have not been seeing recipe videos recently on this channel and why you
00:57will never hear me mention Erewhon's name ever again.
00:59In a follow-up video, the creator confirmed she was a former employee,
01:03which we speculate may be why she was targeted, especially since other creators continue to
01:07post similar dupe videos without any issues.
01:10Bailey Beaver's Strawberry Glaze Erewhon Smoothie with 40 grams of protein.
01:16I've never been prouder. I think this might be my best Erewhon recreation yet, but let's try it.
01:21It's delicious. Let me know if you make it.
01:22The situation has sparked a lot of chatter online with others weighing in on whether the
01:27company will target every creator sharing their smoothie recipes. Others argued over
01:31the legal side with one comment saying, I'm so grossed out by this. Trade secrets,
01:36maybe, but defamation, wild. While critics pointed to recent issues the store has been having.
01:42Back in April, ABC7 reported that Erewhon's Santa Monica location had to close its tonic bar
01:47because of a cockroach infestation. The store quickly reopened after handling the issue,
01:52but the news surprised a lot of loyal customers and didn't quite match Erewhon's polished high-end
01:57vibe. Beyond the health inspection drama, the store has also faced heat for its deep prices,
02:01sometimes hitting $25 for a smoothie or $19 for a viral strawberry, making their healthy
02:07ingredients feel exclusive and out of reach for many. Plus, the family-owned grocery store is a
02:11certified B corporation, which usually means the company cares a lot about social responsibility and
02:16transparency. So when incidents like these happen, it creates a clash between what the brand promises and what
02:21customers experience. All of this adds to the frustration felt by the fans of the TikToker
02:26who saw her video as a way to enjoy popular smoothies without the steep prices or needing
02:31to be in Los Angeles. Plus, with news stating that other brands like Lambert's Rainbow Market and
02:35Westwood sell viral Erewhon dupe smoothies, it makes you wonder why the former employee was the only
02:40one to receive a cease and desist letter so far. But what's your take? Share your thoughts below and
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