Discover the Produce Peddler in San Francisco and San Mateo’s Thriving Downtown
Corner markets aren’t the first places you’d normally seek out produce — unless you need something basic and fast.
Brian Collentine is seeking to change that.
When the economy fizzled, the freelance creative director found he had too much time on his hands. So he came up with the idea to set up displays of fresh, organic produce and flowers inside San Francisco neighborhood bodegas where you’d normally be hard pressed to find a squishy onion amid the six packs and cigarettes.
Instead of jumping in cars to shop at supermarkets miles away, city dwellers in certain parts of the San Francisco now can walk around the corner or a mere block away to buy just-picked potatoes, peaches, and figs from Yolo County farms.
Read more about Collentine’s fresh and delicious endeavor in my story in the October issue of San Francisco Magazine.
While you’re perusing the magazine, also check out my other story on San Mateo’s lively downtown, which has managed to thrive when other downtowns on the Peninsula have suffered untold business closings this past year.
With its sprawling 70 blocks, downtown San Mateo is an intriguing mix of centuries-old businesses (Wisnom’s hardware store opened its doors in 1905) and new, unique attractions. It’s where both YouTube and Napster got their starts, too.
You’ll also find the largest mystery bookstore on the West Coast here. M is for Mystery boasts more than 1,000 titles, including rare ones. You’ll also find the only store in the country specializing in petite-size lingerie, Lula Lu.
For a snack, head to Sweet Breams for adorable, tiny fish-shaped Japanese waffles filled with Nutella, sweet red bean paste, or the special flavor of the week.
When you need to take a load off, head to the tranquil 16-acre Central Park, which not only boasts a koi pond, but one of the most highly regarded Japanese tea gardens in the country.
Wow, what a lovely location!
Great articles with awesome info!
I used to work near downtown San Mateo, and we went to Sushi Sam’s all the time… Brings back memories… 🙂
Food Gal, you’ve been busy! I like the corner store idea. I’m surprised no one thought about it. If that guy’s creative business picks up, he should hire someone to keep up his fruit stand business!
I love the concept of a produce peddler, if only he’d setup shop outside my blue-collar working class neighborhood’s only store 7-11. We really need better produce… San Mateo does have some great history. My mom remembers Mr. Takashashi from Takahashi market driving around to the different farms to sell Japanese groceries… It’s so great that San Mateo has managed to keep up with the times too!
The corner produce market is a great idea…wish I’d thought of it! Love that mystery bookstore, I stumbled upon it earlier this year.
What a great idea to get fresh produce to the masses, I am going to have to check this out and see where the closest lucky neighborhood is.
WRT San Mateo, on my last trip there I was convinced that place was severely underrated – now I know it is. Can’t wait to explore in my leisure.
BEAUTIFUL, glorious pictures! Oh my, San Francisco really does not seem to lack in amazing foodie places nearby. How far is San Mateo? I’m convinced I MUST move up to SF for grad school! With a car, of course. 😉
Carolyn, your San Francisco magazine piece on San Mateo brought back memories: I recall Tom Wisnom (of Wisnom Hardware clan) in high school. He was a senior–the year I was a freshman–as was the upperclassman who picked me up by my jeans, turning me upside down and shaking me for change on the front steps of San Mateo High School on Senior Bow Day: *that*senior was a crew cut, sun-bleached blond, three-letter athlete named Kris Kristofferson! He was pinned at the time to the schools head cheerleader! Those were truly the good ol’ days …
Wotten: You got shaken down for loose change by Kris Kristofferson?? Wow, I didn’t even know he had San Mateo ties. How cool is that? Although, I guess at the time you were hanging upside down it wasn’t quite so cool, heh? Still, though, what a cool story to be able to tell. 🙂
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