The iconic Berkeley Bowl, a regional shopping destination known for its variety of organic produce, global foods and chef sightings, has lost one of its founders and owners.
Glenn Yasuda, who was instrumental in building the store from its original bowling alley location to its two large and nationally-recognized Berkeley markets, died Feb. 14 from a blood infection, according to Berkeleyside. He was 85.
The news went public on Wednesday, as mourners took to Twitter to share their stories.
“I can’t imagine a richer legacy to leave than Berkeley Bowl,” @PeterMAmbler posted. “If you are what you eat, we are better people and a better community for the work of Glenn Yasuda.”
I can’t imagine a richer legacy to leave than Berkeley Bowl. If you are what you eat, we are better people and a better community for the work of Glenn Yasuda. https://t.co/usE9Tws3T3
— Peter Ambler (@PeterMAmbler) February 20, 2020
“Glenn created one of my favorite places on earth,” said Laura McLively, author of 2018’s “The Berkeley Bowl Cookbook,” via email. “If it weren’t for him, I would never have tasted a wiry-haired rambutan, scooped out the oozy green juice of a horned melon, shelled a fresh chickpea, or stuffed a banana leaf as big as my head. Glenn provided the Bay Area with the best and most varied produce around, hands down.”
Berkeleyside reported that Yasuda’s son, Gen, will be stepping into his father’s shoes to head the two stores in Berkeley, according to workers at the store. The family could not be reached for comment.
Glenn and Diane Yasuda opened their iconic Berkeley grocery store — now a Honda dealership — in a former bowling alley on Shattuck Avenue in 1977, before moving to its current location at 2020 Oregon St. The couple opened another Berkeley Bowl at 920 Heinz Avenue in 2009. From the very start, they specialized in produce, offering exotic fruits, rare mushrooms and aisles and aisles of nuts, dried goods and spices.
Yasuda, the son and grandson of Los Angeles produce farmers, often rose at 2:30 a.m. each morning to meet with farmers and make sure the merchandise was up to his standards.
“What was his secret? He told me it was ‘all about the relationships,’” McLively said. “Even in his 80s, he was doing the 2:30 a.m. pilgrimage to source his produce and put in face-time with sellers and farmers, as well as to make sure his staff and shoppers like me felt valued.”
Berkeley Bowl has been a must-stop not only for locals looking for the best ingredients and willing to contend with packed parking lots and long lines, but also Bay Area visitors who want to see where the seeds of our foodie culture start.
To Michael Pollan, Berkeley Bowl is “heaven for omnivores.”
“It’s hard to imagine that this famed institution — which has literally shaped the landscape of California cuisine, helped to save heirloom varieties of produce, employed hundreds of people, and exposed millions of shoppers to new and exciting produce — was created by someone as humble as Glenn,” McLively said.
Yasuda is survived by his wife Diane, son Gen and two grandchildren.