Light’s out for Earthbeam: Natural foods store to close after four decades in Burlingame

From an office above lightly stocked aisles once brimming with a diverse selection of food, spices, supplements and more, Hinckle reflected on his inspiration to open the store as a young man fresh out of the military.

“I got the idea of what I wanted to do with my life and that is eat this food, and also assure the best quality, while maybe making a living out of it,” he said.

Following 46 years of business and a deep remaining passion for the virtue of natural foods, Hinckle was seemingly successful in attaining his initial goals.

Looking ahead to retirement, Hinckle said he plans to continue advocating alongside like-minded members of the natural foods community fighting major manufacturers over labeling of products containing genetically modified organisms.

Over his many years since establishing one of the first stores of its kind on the Peninsula, Hinckle said he believes the natural foods industry should have gained more traction in terms of mainstream appeal.

But just because things didn’t go the way he initially planned, Hinckle does not harbor any disappointment. He preserves that same open-mindedness when assessing the final chapter of his store.

“Ideally, I would have sold the business and had a place to shop myself, but it didn’t work out that way,” he said.

After putting the company in the building that he owns on the market only to see it languish, Hinckle ultimately struck a deal to sell only the property he acquired in 1993. Following the deal closing last week, Hinckle plans to stay in operation through March then spend April packing up before moving out for good.

Beyond keeping up the fight for the benefits of natural and organic food, Hinckle said he plans do more reading, walking, hiking, stretching and playing guitar.

He will also have more time to spend with his wife Anne, who he credits for helping the company endure for so many years due to her keen business instincts and capacity for crunching numbers.

“She is really responsible for us being in business,” he said. “I would have given it all away years ago.”

The Burlingame resident said he also intends to stay active in a role on the Broadway Business Improvement District, the organization dedicated to assuring companies thrive along the commercial corridor.

He credited the business improvement district for helping establish a clear line of communication for merchants on Broadway to City Hall.

“The [business improvement district] has given us a forum to offer improvements to the city and they have responded,” he said.

Looking back on the time he spent operating from Broadway, Hinckle expressed his appreciation for the unique setting he said looks more akin to the Southern California neighborhood shopping centers he knew as a child than the modern, upscale environment on Burlingame Avenue.

“This is a different kind of street,” he said.

With his next chapter on his mind, Hinckle said he appreciated all the bonds and friendships he established, which are again being brought to mind as he prepares to close the doors for the final time.

“My mission has been accomplished,” he said. “This will leave many dedicated customers without this outlet. But I am assured they will adjust and make do.”

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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