Photography by Anjali Fong Photography

Dayton, Ohio

Once relegated to polarizing pizza topping status, mushrooms are suddenly all the rage. Foodies love them as a flavorful meat alternative. Scientists and sustainability experts dig the role they play as “chief recyclers” in our ecosystem. Health gurus can’t stop talking about their potential for addressing everything from anxiety to late-stage cancer.

The craze is both culinary and health conscious, and it comes as no surprise to Michael Goldstick, head of sales and marketing for the family-owned Guided By Mushrooms in Dayton, OH. What started as a garage operation has expanded to include spice blends, powders, and mushroom-extract tinctures—with more products coming soon.

“At first it was more of a hobby than anything,” Goldstick says. “We sold fresh mushrooms to our local chef friends and they started talking. The demand just started growing.”

And despite some common Covid-related setbacks, the team has signed a multiyear lease for a nearby space for the urban farm that will allow them to triple production in the coming year. The plan is to build on existing partnerships—with local restaurants, Dorothy Lane Market, Jungle Jim’s, and others—while exploring the growing movement for mushrooms as medicine.

“My sister has suffered from endometriosis most of her life,” Goldstick says. “We developed our tincture, and once she started experiencing unbelievable pain relief, we knew we were onto something. Now we and many of our customers swear by it for things like everyday pain and gut health.” (GBM’s newest creation, Mush Mash, combines non-psychedelic Turkey Tail, Lion’s Mane, and Reishi varieties in one sublingual tincture.)

Goldstick says the community response on all fronts has been incredible. Guided By Mushrooms is excited to grow both their team and their presence this year, via Dayton’s Second Street Market (where they’ve secured an outdoor space) and through collaborations with local farmers, breweries, and charitable organizations.

Guided by Mushrooms
6410 Philadelphia Dr., Dayton, OH
937.296.6993