California-based Mother’s Market, an organic supermarket founded in Orange County 38 years ago, has been purchased by Mill Road Capital.
The Connecticut-based private equity firm, which also owns Rubio’s Restaurants, has acquired controlling interest in the small grocery chain. Details of the deal were not shared. However, according to the Orange County Register, a Mother’s spokeswoman said some of the company’s founders will continue to have a stake in the business.
“The decision to sell allows Mother’s to expand at a more rapid pace,” said Deborah Rubino, chief integration officer. “We needed someone who could ramp up (expansion) quickly.”
The first Mother’s was founded in Costa Mesa in 1978 by a group of yoga enthusiasts that included Bruce Macgurn, who died last year. At the time, it was one of the only large-scale health and natural food stores operating in Orange County. While first catering to vegetarians, the market has since grown its shoppers to include those seeking organic, preservative-free and non-genetically modified foods, the Orange County Register said.
It has seven locations in Orange County. In 2010, the flagship Mother’s Market closed and relocated to a larger location in Costa Mesa.
Though a location is has not been determined, Rubino said it’s possible for an eighth store to open in six months. Outside of Mill’s growth plan, Rubino said it’s “business as usual” at each store.
