Natasha has been the owner, or “Queen Bee” according to their website, of Wild Manzanita for the last 2 years and was a customer for many years before that.  The store has been a fixture of Manzanita for over 20 years.

Located at 298 Laneda Avenue it is bustling and busy and in this post-pandemic time, filled with the smiles we’ve longed to see for over a year, on the faces of staff and customers.

The aromas are amazing . . .  coffee and cookies and lasagna and candles; the atmosphere is warm and inviting and homey. 

The store is delightfully filled with a variety you might not expect in a space of this size.

I visited on a Monday when the store was closed . . . but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t a lot going on!  Staff members were opening the freight, entering it in the computer system, putting it away on shelves and in coolers; new shelving arrived; plans were made for the upcoming week; paperwork was waiting.  

You quickly realize that Natasha is rarely still.  And she is always looking for ways to take care of her community.  Community is at the heart of Wild Manzanita and Natasha. 

She visited Manzanita frequently as a child and has called it home for over 20 years.  Prior to buying Wild Manzanita Natasha worked in the restaurant industry, owned an organic farm and had a flower business.

It was a quick decision to purchase the business, but it came after a period of research and work toward the goal of opening her own business again.

Natasha proudly offers a wide variety of local products.   Among them, the tuna fish used for their popular tuna sandwiches,  Tres Bro’s Salsa, Birdsong honey and Happy Handmade bath salts.  The list continues to grow.

As happens over time the store has grown and changed and developed in support of Natasha’s dream to feed her community.   But she’s not finished yet. She is eager to continue to build community, to find ways to open her space to the community, and to continue to find locally sourced items.

When asked what advice she would give to someone thinking of going into business, not surprisingly, her response is “make sure your heart is in it”.   It’s clear she took her own advice.

You can check out their website at www.wildmanzanita.com or better yet stop in for lunch or a cookie, or coffee, or stock up on some fresh organic produce or meat.   You won’t be disappointed.