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.