Mid-November UPDATE: See detailed review of TAKEOUT section here

The wait is over central Orange County. Mother’s Market & Kitchen said it will finally open its doors this Saturday in Santa Ana.

The Costa Mesa-based natural food chain operates four other stores in Irvine, Laguna Woods, Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa. Shoppers from Santa Ana and Orange likely will be this new market’s main customers.

“That is a real under served area,” said Sharon Macgurn, co-founder of the chain, which initially catered to vegetarians when it first opened 30 years ago.

The 25,000-square-foot Santa Ana store, which opens at 8 a.m., is more than double the size of an average Mother’s so shoppers can expect a wider selection of foods and services, including organic, air-chilled poultry.

Store manager Steven Prendergast, who previously worked at the Irvine Mother’s, said this new market will also focus more on takeout foods.

For example, the new store will feature a taco and burrito bar and a walk-up counter for buying pizza made on site.  “Order-and-go foods” in the Santa Ana will replace Mother’s traditional “kitchen” or restaurant dining area, he said.

The store sounds like it might be worth the wait for locals. For months, residents have been curious about the store, an anchor at the City Place — a mixed-use retail center across the street from the MainPlace mall in Santa Ana.  The center, which also includes three-story “live/work” lofts, has already debuted Pinkberry, McCormick & Schmick’s, Corner Bakery and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

Yet, the Mother’s Market building has stood empty for months.

Mother’s was expected to open in spring 2008. Lately, residents have been teased with a sign promoting a “fall” opening.

I stopped by the store Wednesday afternoon and noticed signs of life at the market, known for its wide selection of natural foods and vitamins. Construction workers banged away inside, while boxes of non-perishable goods were stacked outside the automatic doors.

Macgurn said a “soft opening” is set for Saturday.  Soft opening is a retail and restaurant term for a quiet test-run of any new business. Some departments won’t be ready such as the deli and food service areas, Macgurn said.

A grand opening is scheduled for Nov. 8. I don’t think I can wait that long to take a look. I’ll be snooping around this weekend.

How about you?

Location: Mother’s Market in Santa Ana is at the City Place at the corner of Main Street and Memory Lane. Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Directions and list of other retailers. The chain also plans to open a sixth O.C. store in Anaheim Hills in 2009.

Stacks of goods waiting to be stocked at Santa Ana Mother's Market. The store, across the street from MainPlace mall, opens Saturday.

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Posted in: Fast food news • Healthy fast food • Nutrition • Mother's Market |

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