A 50-mile round trip just to grab some groceries got frustrating for Westchester resident Cindy Erwin.

But a North Shore suburb was the only location of a one-stop shop for her dietary needs, ever since she was diagnosed more than three years ago with Celiac disease, which damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of food nutrients.

Counted among the people who can’t tolerate gluten — a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and malt — Erwin tried finding products closer to home, but had to shop at three different stores.

So Erwin is making it easier on herself and establishing her own store; and she plans to later this month open Gluten-Free Grocery, at 1922 S. Mannheim Road in Westchester.

She said at first it was difficult to know which foods had gluten.

“The morning after I was diagnosed, I was wondering what to eat for breakfast,” she said.

Cakes, pies and cookies obviously have wheat flour, but a lot of marinades have soy sauce hidden in the list of ingredients.

“Most beers are out of the question, and I can have a shake but not a malt,” Erwin said. “With everything I picked up in the (regular) grocery store, I was reading the ingredients and calling manufacturers.”

It took about nine months to start feeling comfortable while grocery shopping.

Her husband, Mike Erwin, who’s doing the carpentry work for the store, said he’s always looking out for what to cook for dinner and can soon help meet the needs of his spouse through the store.

At first, it “scared” him that she left her full-time job working at a sorority headquarters.

“But she’s so enthusiastic about it ... she’s working hard to make it work,” he said.

Cindy Erwin said she’s excited about finding small companies making excellent gluten-free products and getting them to sell those specialties wholesale.

“We can get them all in one place, so you don’t have to go to Evanston for a dinner role, or (Chicago) for cookies,” she said.

Erwin added that 3 percent of customers’ pre-tax purchase will be donated to foundations for Celiac disease or autism, as some evidence suggests a gluten-free diet may relieve some autism symptoms.

For more information, go to www.gfgrocery.com.