When Heather Hardcastle and her husband Rick Perko opened the second location of their gluten-free Flour Craft Bakery in April 2018 at the Mill Valley Lumber Yard, they did so with the intent to use the new space as a platform to expand their offerings to “be a more fully realized vision of what Flour Craft can be.”
In the years since, Hardcastle has evolved considerably with the business, including unveiling the Flour Craft Bakery & Cafe Cookbook, a 224-page cookbook via Rizzoli Books.
Her latest revelation has been Good Life Shop in the Mill Valley Lumber Yard, where her Flour Craft Bakery has been a stalwart for years.
If you’ve picked up a loaf of gluten-free sourdough, loaded avocado toast, vegan tahini cookie or turmeric tonic at Flour Craft Bakery & Cafe in the Mill Valley Lumber Yard, you’ve already encountered co-owner Heather Hardcastle’s blend of culinary creativity, attention to craft and community-centered ethos. In April, the cookbook author, culinary school graduate and former garden designer expanded on that vision with a home and kitchen shop just steps away, designed to inspire and equip the everyday host.
The GoodLife Shop stocks a mix of kitchen and home goods, with everything from modern tools for cooking and entertaining to vintage tableware, bar accessories, linens, cookbooks and framed prints.
It also offers woven picnic baskets to rent that are filled with a ready-to-eat spread, including Flour Craft seasonal salads, house-made hummus, gluten-free sweets, cheeses, a chilled rosé or sparkling water, and a blanket.
Hardcastle sees the shop as a continuation of her approach to food and hospitality, centered on care, design and the everyday rituals that bring people together. Whether it’s a shared meal at home or a picnic in the park, her aim is to make the experience feel intentional and welcoming, with tools and objects that are both functional and artful.
The GoodLife Shop is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily at 129 Miller Ave. in Mill Valley. Find details, order a picnic, view shippable items or inquire about kitchen consulting services at shopgoodlifehome.com.
Leanne Battelle is a freelance food writer and restaurant columnist. Email her at ij.lbattelle@gmail.com with comments and find more local food news at therealdealmarin.com.
The GoodLife is a place where beauty, function, and a modern sensibility come together. It’s a space that celebrates the art of gathering in an intentional way & where everything has a story to tell. Join us for a special preview shopping day on Saturday April 19th, 11a-5p with regular store hours starting April 26th, 1030a-530p daily.
