by Vicki Skinner

Glen Christensen and Susan Purnell, La Honda Market partners, and Aaron Kamil. Photos: Vicki Skinner.

When the Pioneer Market in La Honda — known to locals as John’s after then-owner John Kim — started to fail about five years ago, locals grumbled and started to complain. Most of them had ideas about what Kim should do to make it work. Times were hard, but eventually, most would agree that Kim should sell out to someone who would make it viable again. When John’s Market finally closed its doors for the last time, apparently beaten down by the economy, there wasn’t much on the shelves to close. The locals got used to knowing that they had to buy all of their groceries over the hill or in Half Moon Bay. No running down to the store when you ran out of eggs or milk or smokes or beer.

However, no one visualized the potential the store had until local contractor Glen Christensen joined forces with his renter and now partner in the business, Susan Purnell; the two partners, along with Purnell’s husband, Aaron Kamil, made the newly opened La Honda Country Store a reality that exceeded everyone’s expectations. Over dinner at the Mountain House one evening, Christensen and Purnell formed their partnership. Purnell said, “Glen told me, ‘I could burn water’ and I said I could hammer a nail — not. It was perfect.”

Glen Christensen showing some of the care that went into the renovation.

Christensen spent half a year or more renovating the store. He says, “Four years ago when I saw the store was failing I conceived of the idea to take it over. I thought of it more like a retirement gig for 10 years from now. However, I knew if I didn’t jump on it, someone else was going to do it. I went around to some small markets to check them out. We modeled it with the thought of Robert’s Market in Woodside in the back of our minds, but we wanted it to be nicer.”

And it is. Christensen worked day and night, sometimes until midnight, on gutting and renovating. Brothers Builders helped out, too. With paper up over the windows, locals were curious about the results. No one expected the beauty of the hardwood floors, the tin ceiling, the back wall of gleaming refrigerator cases, the fireplace, the flat-screen TV, and the deli section manned by Kamil’s cheerful personality. Not to mention the reasonable prices, fresh produce, good wine selection — Purnell was the spirits buyer for K & L Wine Merchants in her previous life — and great meats in the deli section. Kamil says buffalo chicken — white meat chicken marinated in buffalo wing sauce — is the top seller, but I prefer the roast beef, which is great and cheaper and better than Safeway’s.

The partners sent out a survey to locals asking what they would like to see at a local market. Purnell and Kamil say, “People asked for local, organic products whenever possible and we have that. We get our produce from Lady Bug and Blue House Farms. We also just signed up with Harley Farms. We sell Duarte’s pies, which are really popular; other local products include Norm’s Market and Moonside Bakery breads and Phipps Ranch beans. The other requests were for dairy — like organic milk which we can’t keep on the shelves — and beer, wine and tobacco. Kamil continues, “In order to keep our prices low, we do some things like buy dog food in bulk and sell it by the pound. We store it in big garbage cans; that way you can get as much or as little as you need.” When asked what is the best part of the store, Purnell says, “The locals have been absolutely fantastic. They are actually buying groceries like we are their grocery store. One high point I remember is a guy on his cell phone to his girlfriend/wife or significant other. She was telling him what to buy. They needed five items and we had all five.”

Purnell said, “It is interesting to see what people buy. One guy bought a toilet plunger, some emergency candles and some black sesame seeds. Weird. Things I didn’t think would move as fast were the edame snacks and wasabi peas!”

Susan Purnell on right at grand opening of the market.

I asked her what she thought of La Honda. We love it here!” says Purnell, who has been a La Honda resident for the past 5 1/2 years. “We like the weather. The foggier the better. We love Scotland but if we can’t be in Scotland, La Honda is the next best thing.” She laughs and says, “We got our beer and wine license on St. Patrick’s Day. All our Irish and Scottish friends were rooting for us.”

“La Honda is great,” she says. “This is a long-term investment for all of us.” So, if you are ever in La Honda, stop and check out the absolutely beautiful La Honda Country Market!

“The Harley” Sandwich

Fresh local produce displayed with care.

This is a lovely specialty sandwich that we created using our favorite cheese from Harley Farms Goat Dairy in Pescadero.

Herb focaccia bread

Pesto

Sliced tomatoes

Harley Farms goat cheese ricotta

Red bell peppers

Place the pesto, tomatoes, cheese and bell peppers on the bread.

Gigandes Bean Salad

These huge white beans are grown by Phipps Country Farm in Pescadero and are perfect for a summertime salad.

Gigandes beans

Apple cider vinegar

Olive oil

Fresh basil

Cook the beans and then marinate them in apple cider vinegar, olive oil and fresh basil. Toss into your favorite salad greens and enjoy!