By Leigh Ann Gutierrez
[MANDEVILLE] – Good Earth Market and Café is a health food store and restaurant located in historic Old Mandeville. Whether dining in at the café or buying groceries from the market, Good Earth makes it easy for everyone to eat healthy by providing a large selection of organic options.
Good Earth stands on a total of three lots on Girod Street. The land once housed a dance studio. The dance studio was demolished, and the current structure was built shortly before Hurricane Katrina in July 2005.
Paul Brent Williamson, owner and manager of Good Earth, says he chose Old Mandeville to locate his business for a number of reasons. “I’ve always loved the feeling of Old Mandeville. It’s a beautiful community with very nice people. I love the quaintness and small town feel of it.”
Customers purchasing lunch at the cafe.
Photos by Leigh Ann Gutierrez
Williamson decided to open a health food store because of the double-digit growth in the natural organic industry. He says the industry has grown in recent years because more people are becoming conscious of their health. However Williamson doesn’t want his market and café known solely for being organic.
“I don’t want my business perceived as just a health market; I want it to also be known as gourmet,” Williamson says.
Customers can buy groceries in the market.
Photo by Leigh Ann Gutierrez
The best-selling market items are the supplements and the wheat free, gluten free products. The organic beers and wines also sell well. In addition to these items, the store also sells Louisiana-themed art by local artist Amelia “Sissy” Coghlan, who is Williamson’s aunt. She also painted the murals on the walls.
The best-selling items on the café’s menu include the mung bean salad, coast sandwich, chicken salad and the cochon de lait po-boy. Cochon de lait is roasted pork with pickles and mayonnaise. It is such a big hit at Good Earth that Williamson says he has sold it over 250,000 times.
Good Earth is active in various events and fundraisers in the community. The Empty Bowl Project is an upcoming fundraiser in which local restaurants sell soup to raise money for The Samaritan Center,also located on Girod Street. The Samaritan Center helps families in need within the community. The Empty Bowl Project will be held Nov. 8 at the Mandeville Trailhead on Lafite Street.
Williamson says there are a few cons to having his business located in Old Mandeville. One con is busy traffic due to area growth in recent years. The growing pains have resulted in larger streets and highways, bringing in heavier traffic throughout the community.
Unlike many businesses in the area, floodwaters from hurricanes are not a worry for Good Earth. The building is located farther inland from Lake Pontchartrain and received no flooding from Hurricane Katrina. The building itself received very little damage.
Williamson says there are many pros to having his business located in Old Mandeville. “Community response has been wonderful. I’ve made great friends and have regular customers.”
The store motto relates very well to the employees of Good Earths’ feelings. It is written on the exterior sign so all visitors know what to expect when they enter. “Good food, good health, good friends” is the motto the business stands behind.
The exterior sign states Good Earth’s motto.
Photo by Leigh Ann Gutierrez
Good Earth Market and Café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are a wide variety of items available in the café including po-boys, wraps, soups and salads, burger platters and sandwiches. There is also a kid section on the menu and a vegetarian section that can also accommodate vegans.
Good Earth is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Custom catering is also available. For more information, visit the location at 821 Girod St. or call 674-4397.
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Southeastern student Courtney McDuff talks about her favorite tea at Good Earth.
Video by Leigh Ann Gutierrez
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