OXNARD : Disabled Serve Celebration at New Restaurant

A delectable array of food took center stage Friday at the grand-opening ceremony of an Oxnard restaurant and bakery operated by the Assn. for Retarded Citizens of Ventura County.

About 300 people attended the opening of the Magic Muffin Bakery & Cafe, enjoying food prepared by 18 disabled residents under the supervision of ARC staff members.

Many of the novice restaurant workers started preparing for the ceremony at 6 a.m., spending the morning making blueberry muffins, pasta salad, potato salad and cold sandwiches.

The organization also celebrated the opening of a 12,000-square-foot center that will offer 90 jobs to disabled people and job training to other residents.

In addition to the training program at the center, the restaurant will train and provide jobs to disabled residents, said restaurant Manager Fran Gill.

“This is one of the best things we could do for (disabled residents) in the area,” Gill said. “This gives them a chance to do a real job and deal directly with the public. And it makes them to feel real important.”

The facility was originally opened last July as a coffee and muffin shop. The business did so well that in February, ARC decided to expand it and make into a restaurant.

The expansion enables the east Oxnard eatery to serve breakfast and lunch as well as cater functions for business organizations and schools, Gill said.

“They make the best vegetable soup that I’ve ever had,” said Gerald Goldberg, one of the restaurant’s patrons. “I come here often because they have good food and good prices.”

Located at 1661 Pacific Ave., the restaurant is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. It also offers delivery service from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.