Moonberry Mendocino
Brand-new and hopefully here to stay
Moonberry!
You know those days when things are just a little bit extra crazy and you’re having trouble keeping up? When you suddenly have a million emails to respond to and notes and to-dos have somehow magically multiplied on your desk like strange little office bunnies? When seemingly simple tasks that weren’t even on your list for that day somehow clog up the works for an entire morning? That was me earlier this week. I found myself looking at Guy with mild panic in my eyes a few hours after coming in for the day, and he said, “Looks like someone needs a visit to Moonberry!”
And what in the world is Moonberry? Well, as I learned the other day, Moonberry is magic. No, not in the Harry Potter kind of way, for all you fans who suddenly got excited. It’s more of that subtle, every day magic, the kind that comes from just being the cheerful sort of place where the simple act of ordering a smoothie can change your outlook on the whole day. Seriously.
Pretty things all lined up in jars, waiting to be crafted into perfect smoothies and treats…
As soon as we walked through the door into the happily bright shop with crisp white walls and soft pink and turquoise accents, we were welcomed with a chipper, sparkle-eyed “Hello!” from co-owner Melissa Shaw, who was ducking in from the kitchen space out back. Ella, who had been dabbling with some study-from-home schoolwork and was more than happy to join in this midday break, was quick to make her decision on what she wanted. Then she was pulling me over to the small retail area on the side wall and showing me all the interesting things there – nostalgic candy and cute gifts and treats in keeping with the upbeat feel and color scheme of the shop.
While Melissa moved about making our different orders, we peppered her with questions about this brand-new little addition to the Mendocino coast, herself, and life in general. She laughed good-naturedly and did her best to answer over the rumbling purr of her blenders as she measured out berries, scooped sherbet, and kept everything neat and tidy. Before COVID, she had been the well-loved bartender at the Little River Inn, and while the space and products were now different, she still had the same easy confidence navigating everything around her that she had displayed there.
Here’s what we learned… In December of 2020, after Melissa’s bartending job had been cut a second time due to COVID, her friend Kassandra Taylor called her up and said, “Hey! Let’s start a smoothie shop!” They jumped on in as business partners, and in record time Moonberry Mendocino had its soft opening on March 17th, 2021. “We’re in it fully 50/50,” Melissa said. “Currently I’m doing front of house while Kassandra (who owns Lunar Tide, a rad little gift shop on Laurel Street in Fort Bragg), handles everything behind the scenes that keeps a small business afloat. Aces in their places, right?”
Ella was very excited for her Chocolate Caramel Brownie milkshake (and Guy was excited to help her finish it!)
The importance of community also came up several times during our conversation. I mentioned how perfectly Moonberry seemed to fill an empty niche in the local business community, and Melissa exclaimed, “Yes! We wanted to start something that wasn’t going to take away from other small businesses in the area. Our goal in opening this place was to bring a little light for kids (of all ages!) to the Mendocino coast – I love making smoothies or one of our other treats for guests and then watching their kids run outside to draw with our chalk on the sidewalk outside our big windows; if I have time, I’ll head out front and chat with them as they doodle!”
Tasty treats in hand, we waved goodbye to Melissa and headed back to the car. I could hear Ella murmuring over her Chocolate Caramel Brownie milkshake. “This is my new favorite thing on their menu! It should be called the Heavenly Heaven…” I smiled at her youthful enthusiasm, although to be honest, I was pretty into my smoothie too. I sucked in a big strawful of frozen goodness and heaved a contented sigh – Moonberry had worked its magic on me, and the rest of the day ahead seemed much brighter than it had earlier.
Moonberry to the rescue!!!
You can find Moonberry Mendocino at 401 N Main St Suite 301 in Fort Bragg. They are currently open Thursday through Tuesday 10:00-6:00, although they do keep their doors open until 7:00 on Saturday and Sunday. In addition to smoothies, they also have milkshakes, acai bowls, and frappes on their menu. Let’s give them all the support we can so they get to stick around forever!!!!
Words & photos by Laura Hockett