Honest truth, we go sightseeing from the parking lot at the one in Austin, TX. Pasty sickly looking pale libs, tree huggers and hippies, ugh. Been inside 3 times in 30-something years they’ve been here. Once for real grade B maple syrup, once for stevia powder and once for real vanilla extract. Last time was probably 10 years ago. Ridiculously expensive but as you said it’s the only place to find something. With the invention of online shopping, I’d rather pay s&h from somewhere else than set foot in there again.
The one near me is marvelous. Everything is fresh, beautifully displayed, and the servers are very accommodating.