“ I said , ‘ you ’ re perfect . I don ’ t want to do this anymore ,’” he said . They settled in Gilroy in 1986 , which Mike calls a “ God wink .”
“ We love Gilroy ,” he said . “ We live in a really good area . There ’ s an opportunity to do so many good things .”
Mike said being a Catholic and a member of St . Mary Church in Gilroy helped grow his interest in social justice issues . He said he became aware that people in developing countries manufacturing food products sold in the United States weren ’ t making a fair wage . Mike worked to start a fair trade business that sells products made by workers who are provided with a living wage and good working conditions regardless of where they live , as well as providing farmers with fair compensation for their crops .
Eight years ago , the storefront on Vineyard Boulevard in Morgan Hill next to his sister-in-law ’ s needlepoint business became vacant . Mike moved in .
Today , his 5,000-square foot store is filled with stainless steel racks filled with everything from crackers , cookies and cake mixes to milk , sauces , and pastas to health foods and beauty products . The space has a homey general store feel with a children ’ s table complete with crayons and counters for leaning on while chatting with Mike or his sales associates . The store has expanded to include local and organic foods , including honey , eggs and olive oil , as well as produce grown by local farmers , tying his customers to local growers and small businesses .
It also offers up foods for customers with specific needs and allergies , including gluten-free foods . If Mike doesn ’ t have something in the store that a customer is looking for , he ’ ll work to find it for them .
Mike is at the store six days a week , taking Sundays off when the store is closed .
He relishes in sharing the stories behind his products , including olive oil and soap made by Arab women in the Galilee region of Israel that call themselves Sindyanna of Galilee . The group strives to create economic opportunities for Arab women in this region while strengthening the economy of the Arab-Palestinian population .
“ When people have a chance to make a living all kinds of things happen ,” Mike said . “ Children can get an education . Children can get health care . Parents can actually be parents . They don ’ t have to leave their children to work other jobs . Women can be empowered .”
Mike said he ’ d eventually like to evolve the store into a co-op where customers have a financial investment in its future and attract staff members who could become partners .
“ If I want the business to continue , in my opinion , it would have to take community involvement and that association involvement .”
For now , he has no plans to stop working . He and Erin have two sons , 23-year-old Danny who lives in Arizona , and 21-year-old Sean who attends the University of Redlands .
“ When you have a family you have a commitment to keep the family going . I want to work as long as I can ,” Mike said .
Mike also is devoting his time to researching and writing a book about naturalist Charles Kellogg , who worked to preserve California ’ s redwood forests . He lived from 1868 to 1949 .
“ It ’ s a piece of history that really should be talked about . I believe it ’ s a story that needs to be retold ,” Mike said .
He also enjoys speaking to groups at churches and schools about social justice issues in the business world . He believes that small things – whether buying locally or supporting a fair trade product – can make a difference .
“ I can tell people this is the best stuff on the planet ,” Mike says . “ You ’ re getting the skill and you ’ re supporting a small business person . It ’ s fun .”
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