Costa Mesa, meet Henry’s

Paul Clinton

Healthier-foods grocery store Henry’s Marketplace is readying its

third Orange County store at the Costa Mesa Square shopping center, a

spokeswoman said. The store is scheduled to open within a month.

The Southern California grocer, which operates 19 other stores in

the region, has also hired David San Miguel as its store director,

the company said.

“We’re excited about opening a new store in Costa Mesa and adding

David to the team,” said John Baker, the vice president of Henry’s.

The Costa Mesa location will be the third in Orange County and

fill a 25,000-square-foot anchor slot at the center, which opened in

2000. The center, which also includes a Target Greatland, is at

Harbor Boulevard and Nutmeg Place.

Henry’s operates groceries in Laguna Niguel and Yorba Linda. The

local grocery is expected to employ 85 people.

Local civic and business leaders say they have eagerly awaited the

arrival of the grocer. Henry’s executives have been planning the

store for two years. It will fill the void left by Whole Foods

Market, the health-food grocer that pulled out of Triangle Square in

April.

“We think they’re going to be a great addition [to Costa Mesa],”

said Ed Fawcett, the president of the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce.

“There is nothing like this in this vicinity.”

Executives describe Henry’s as a “transition grocer,” which falls

midway between a pure health foods store and the garden variety

grocery store. Henry’s is known for its fresh produce, bulk foods and

vitamins.

About 3,380 square feet of the store will be set aside for

produce. The market will offer more than 350 varieties of fresh

fruits and vegetables. The store will contain ia deli, a fresh meat

and seafood counter, a beer and wine section and a bakery.

The local store will be made from recycled wood, corrugated tin

and other materials, and will incorporate a farmer’s market design.

The look of the grocery is meant to evoke produce stands and

neighborhood butchers in the 1950s.

The wood used for the hand-painted signage and interior walls was

recycled from an 1890s Kentucky tobacco plant. The lighting used in

the store is also designed to reduce energy usage.

Henry’s was established in 1943, when the Boney family bought a

truckload of peaches and sold them on a street corner in San Diego.

In 1999, Wild Oats Markets Inc. acquired the chain.

For the more health-conscious customers, Henry’s will offer

vitamins, supplements, homeopathic remedies, all-natural body care

products and some nutrition books. A corporate nutritionist, based at

the store, will help coordinate health screenings and consultations,

educational events, seminars and other community activities.