Locally owned and operated gourmet market celebrates 19 years in Malibu
By Homaira Shifa / Special to The Malibu Times
In 1993, Michael Osterman and his wife wanted Malibu residents to have better choices for a healthy lifestyle. So they decided to open a natural gourmet market, Pacific Coast Greens (PC Greens). Nineteen years later, the business is going strong and will be celebrating 20 years of success in January.
The success of his business boils down to one thing, Osterman said: hard work.
“I am here seven days a week,” Osterman said. “It’s all about paying attention to detail and educating ourselves about a healthy lifestyle.”
PC Greens offers a full service deli/bakery; a full service fish, poultry and meat department; garden fresh organic produce, gourmet coffee and espresso bar, fresh juice bar, a wide variety of grocery selections without artificial ingredients or preservatives, and a complete vitamin/health and beauty department.
The meats have never had hormones or chemicals added to them, Osterman said. PC Greens carries a large variety of local products that large supermarkets don’t, Osterman said. It carries the largest selection of local wines, Malibu honey, olive oil, lemons, avocados and persimmons.
“Whatever we can buy locally, we do,” Osterman said. “PC Greens’ main focus and purpose throughout the store and all departments is the emphasis on organic, local and natural.”
PC Greens is the exclusive distributor of One Gun Ranch, a local ranch in Malibu that grows biodynamic vegetables.
What sets PC Greens apart from other natural markets is the fact that they receive and sell fresh products daily.
“Our products are fresher. We don’t go through a warehouse, which takes time off from fresh ness,” Osterman said. “One Gun Ranch comes to us seven days a week. They pick it (the vegetables) and bring it here. We don’t have to wait for corporate headquarters to approve what we can sell. We decide ourselves.”
Osterman has lived in Malibu for more than 25 years. He was in snack food manufacturing prior to opening PC Greens. He lives in Malibu with his family. He has two daughters who grew up in Malibu and went to the local schools. Throughout the years, his wife and daughters have helped out with the business, especially during the holidays.
“We’ve been here since the beginning,” Osterman said. “We raised our children here. We live here ourselves. This is home. We’re here for the community 24/7.”
Osterman decided to name his market PC Greens because it is located on the Pacific Coast Highway and it is “a green alternative to what the population can buy.”
On Oct. 13, PC Greens hosts its annual “Taste of PC Greens,” where residents will have the opportunity to discover the flavor and quality of fresh, natural and organic foods.
It will be a product presentation and sampling event with more than 50 vendors expected to participate.
“People can come and taste new items,” Osterman said. “You can sample everything that we carry, from cosmetics, to meats, poultry, groceries, frozen foods and pet foods.”
One Gun Ranch will have a petting zoo onsite, and a free drawing for a new Kindle HD Fire will be held.
Located at 22601 Pacific Coast Highway, the grocery offers a spacious rooftop terrace for a relaxing coffee, lunch or dinner break with a spectacular ocean view.
“Anybody can speak to the owner,” Osterman said. “If you need anything or want to give any information, ask me. I’m always here.”
Visit www.PCGreens.net for more information about Pacific Coast Greens.