Mustard Seed Market & Café, a locally owned and family operated business in Akron, has been in the pioneering business for over 38 years–the pioneering of natural and organic food, to be exact.
It all began in the spring of 1981 when Phillip and Margaret Nabors opened the original Mustard Seed. They began by selling much of what they offer today, just on a smaller scale. Items such as organic produce, locally-sourced meat and dairy, organic supplements and food products free of harmful chemicals and artificial ingredients were some of the things stocked on their shelves.
This first location only had enough space for a market and Abraham Nabors, one of Phillip and Margaret's two sons, as well as a second generation owner of Mustard Seed and Mustard Seed's Director of Education and Standards, remembers that his mom used to make her meals in the backroom when she had to open and close the store.
"She would make all of her meals in back–things like nori rolls that a lot of people had never seen or heard of before," says Abraham. "Customers really took notice and eventually, her and my dad began offering cooking classes. That's kind of how the idea for the café started."
In 1989, Mustard Seed relocated to a 36,000-square-foot retail space on West Market Street in Akron, where it is still located today. This new space not only provides much more square footage, but has both an upper and lower level.
"The lower level is the market, where we sell all of our natural products and supplements," says Abraham. "And on the upper mezzanine level we have our café."
Phillip and Margaret's knowledge and passion for healthy and organic food coupled with the many culinary talents of Karen Bender, Mustard Seed Market & Café's Director of Culinary, fosters the creation of many delicious dishes. Although the café's menu changes at least once each year, some of the their signature dishes will never be removed. Margaret's famous carrot cake, prepared using the same recipe for over 30 years, is still a crowd favorite.
Mustard Seed also offers full service catering that can be done on-site in their banquet rooms or offsite at a location of your choice. Whether you're planning a corporate retreat or a small picnic in the park, they can provide catering for just about any occasion, no matter how big or small. From freshly made boxed lunches and party platters to a brunch buffet with a made-to-order omelette bar, Mustard Seed has a variety of catering options that are made with only the highest quality ingredients.
When Mustard Seed's banquet rooms aren't be used to cater large groups and parties, Abraham organizes educational lectures about all things health and supplement-related. The lectures are free and open to the public.
"We invite people from all over the country to present their knowledge and passion," says Abraham. "I definitely learn so much from all of the lectures. I call myself Health Nerd No. 1."
As Director of Education and Standards, Abraham is also actively involved in maintaining Mustard Seed's strict ingredient standards. Mustard Seed Market only carries products with no artificial colors, flavorings or harmful chemical preservatives, no saccharin or aspartame and no irradiated foods. And their high quality standards are not just applied to food products, but supplements as well.
In fact, Abraham and Gabe Nabors, Phillip and Margaret's second son, started their own CBD company, Hemp Luxe, a few years ago when they saw a need in the market for a CBD supplement that was both affordable and high quality. Hemp Luxe offers products such as CBD balms, creams, oil tinctures and gummies–all made using certified organic hemp that has been third party tested for potency and purity.
Hemp Luxe is sold at both Mustard Seed locations and online at HempLuxe.com. Visit Mustard Seed Market & Cafe at their Montrose location at 3885 West Market Street, Akron, or at their Highland Square location at 867 West Market Street, Akron. To learn more about their catering services, to see the café's newly revamped menu and to learn about some of their upcoming events, visit MustardSeedMarket.com.