Lemon Grove celebrates grand re-opening of the Lemon Grove Bakery located on historical site

The Marines have landed in a sweet spot in downtown Lemon Grove. 

On the morning of Wednesday, July 19, city residents and dignitaries gathered at the historical 1912 Bakery Building to celebrate the new ownership and operators of the Lemon Grove Bakery at 3308 Main Street. The event was the grand opening of the restyled business, which has set up operations in the restored 105-year-old Mission Revival style building, between the famous Lemon Statue and city hall.

The Marines have landed in a sweet spot in downtown Lemon Grove. 

On the morning of Wednesday, July 19, city residents and dignitaries gathered at the historical 1912 Bakery Building to celebrate the new ownership and operators of the Lemon Grove Bakery at 3308 Main Street. The event was the grand opening of the restyled business, which has set up operations in the restored 105-year-old Mission Revival style building, between the famous Lemon Statue and city hall.

The new owner of the property and business is Burton Foods LLC. President of the corporation is Major Talisin Burton, an active-duty Marine at Camp Pendleton. Burton is a former helicopter pilot now serving as a flight instructor. He is joined in the endeavor by three retired Marine comrades, Frank Garner, Gregory Dono and Russell Chaby, all of whom have served multiple tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Lemon Grove Mayor Racquel Vasquez took the podium at the ceremony, noting the city’s proclamation of Lemon Grove Bakery Day. “Whereas Marines have landed right here in Lemon Grove….” She cited the over 50 years combined of Marine Corps service of the enterprise’s principal business officers. And Vasquez further noted the importance of the company’s earlier work in rehabilitating and refreshing the landmark. She concluded her remarks, “I say, let’s celebrate.” Other local elected officials sent community representatives to present certificates of recognition to the new business.

Vice President Frank Garner expressed appreciation to the mayor and city for support. He described touching moments when people stopped by to thank the company officers and workers for bringing back the bakery in the building, saying that multiple generations of Lemon Grove residents related how much the bakery had meant for special moments in their lives. The event concluded with ribbon-cutting and then entertainment from traditional dancers, free small bakery samples and children’s activities.

Garner during an interview spoke with gratitude, “The community has been very supportive. We are incredibly blessed and pleased to be reopening here today.”

According to Helen M. Ofield, president of the Lemon Grove Historical Society, the organization’s members were also very proud and grateful over the restoration project, which permits the society to maintain the historical mural gracing the Pacific Street side of the bakery building. The five-panel mural depicts the history of Lemon Grove, from the days of the Kumeyaay, through the Spanish Conquest, the Mexican Empire, the 19th century “birth” of Lemon Grove, and lastly showing modern days of the city.

The site formerly housed the Grove Pastry Shop, which closed at the end of November 2015 under financial pressure after 60 years in business in operation. Burton Foods purchased the building in 2016 and began restoring the famous structure.

The Lemon Grove Bakery is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The bakery is closed on Mondays. More information on the facility and special orders can be acquired by phone at (760) 880-0821.