A celebration of Mother’s food
Veronica Duran
COSTA MESA -- From floor to ceiling, Mother’s Market & Kitchen
stocks good-for-you fruits and vegetables that any mom would want her
children to eat.
Since 1978, the market has been selling its wholesome fare, and on
Saturday it’s celebrating another year in Costa Mesa with a food and
music fair.
It’s a good year to celebrate, said Sharon Macgurn, one of the store’s
co-founders. Mother’s was chosen as the best health food store in Orange
County and the restaurant was named a best value in a countywide survey.
Customers who have come to depend on the store said they are looking
forward to another anniversary.
Ray Miller of Costa Mesa, who has shopped at Mother’s since it first
opened, said he was at last year’s event and had a good time.
“It’s a good, healthy atmosphere,” Miller said. “I get my vitamins
from [Mother’s], and 70% of what I buy, food-wise, comes from that
store.”
Macgurn said what mainly attracts people to the store is its selection
of organic foods and its provision of dietary needs.
“We have supplements and vitamins like no other store in any area,”
Macgurn said. “We fill a lot of dietary needs. If you have a special
dietary need, you can usually find the product at Mother’s.”
Since the store’s opening, Macgurn said, many changes have been made
as a result of customer suggestions and ideas generated among store
operators.
“Some of our best ideas come from customers,” she said, explaining
that the store’s macrobiotic department emerged after a costumer asked
why they didn’t carry such items.
Macgurn said she’s watched some of her most loyal customers come in
and out of the store for 20 years. She said many of these people consider
Mother’s like their second home.
Tad Brunton, the store’s senior manager, said he’s noticed that people
just like to hang out there.
“It’s like the Disneyland of natural food stores,” Brunton said.
“People like to hang out here because the atmosphere is so congenial.
They may read a book, look at the products in the vitamins and body care
department, sit at the counter in the restaurant or hang out on Mother’s
patio.”
In addition to its bin displays, bursting with bulk grains, nuts,
seeds and dried fruits, Mother’s offers free health seminars that focus
on topics such as how to maintain healthy hair and nails and how to super
change your immune system.
“[Being one of the store’s owners] makes me feel wonderful,” Macgurn
said. It’s such an addition to the community. “[The store] is committed
to providing healthy and delicious cuisine and environmentally
responsible products.”
There are three Mother’s stories in Orange County, including one in
Irvine and Huntington Beach. A fourth store will open in March in Laguna
Hills, Macgurn said.
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