When asked about The Corner Store, San Pedrans from my generation reminisce about their childhood visits for the expansive vintage soda and candy selection.
The previous generations experienced it as a quintessential Americana neighborhood market. Writing this article has given me a deeper appreciation for how its many owners over the past thirty years have invested their time and energy to preserve its charm and keep it in business.
The Corner Store opened its doors in 1947; however, by the 1990s it seemed to have fallen into a sad state, operating as a poorly maintained liquor store, a far cry from its original existence.
In 1998, Susan McKenna, who lived nearby, took an interest. “When I went in [the rundown liquor store], I could see what an incredible space it was and thought it would be great to create a gathering space with coffee in the neighborhood,” McKenna shared with me. Along with her fellow Australian friend Marissa Mascola, they purchased the store and revamped it to give it new life, including bringing back the now-iconic facade.
Within a year, the Australian women had created an inviting space where people could gather to enjoy coffee, pastries, La Brea Bakery bread, Joseph’s Bakery pizza, an assortment of candy, and 170 types of sodas. They also hosted monthly events to further engage the community.
In 2006, Peggy Lindquist, who had dreamed of buying the store since moving a block away a few years earlier, became the new owner along with her husband, Bruce. The Lindquists, while still honoring the atmosphere the previous owners had created, slowly made changes to further improve the store. They added a kitchen to serve food, featured catchy sandwich names on their menu, and baked their pastries in-house.
The assortment of old candy and sodas remained central to the store’s personality. Peggy, a passionate supporter of the arts, provided a space for local artists to display their creations and brought in an assortment of toys. Her motivation was to recreate for customers the same magic she experienced at her childhood neighborhood market.
“I was able to achieve that, and it was probably my biggest shining moment in life,” she says proudly. Undoubtedly, during her sixteen years of ownership, The Corner Store established itself as a beloved pillar of the community.
In 2022, John Bagakis, who had often visited the store since childhood, and his business partners took over as the new owners. To expand the store’s reach beyond the loyal neighborhood clientele, some changes were made while still preserving the store’s essence.
“We wanted to try new things to create a buzz, so we brought in some new menu items like paninis, higher quality wine, and craft beer,” says Bagakis. Additionally, the side patio was built during his ownership.
In 2025, David De Anda began a new chapter by becoming the owner. The store continues to be a staple for leisurely coffee breaks, post-coastal-walk meals, and social gatherings.
I like stopping by for a cup of coffee, or in the mornings, a bagel breakfast sandwich on the side patio. There are still a variety of pastries to choose from; my two favorites are the pistachio cream and blueberry Danish. After 5 p.m., a bag of day-old pastries can be purchased at a discount, which I appreciate because it helps reduce waste.
Some of the original sandwiches with catchy names are still on the menu. The Corner Store Club with rye bread is my go-to.
Under the new ownership, the store remains the same charming and serene neighborhood eatery with friendly staff. Most importantly, vintage sodas and candy are still available, albeit in less variety.
Note: messages to The Corner Store’s current owner for comment were not returned before publication. spt
Sanam Lamborn created the Eat in San Pedro Facebook group and Instagram in April 2020 to entice people to patronize San Pedro’s eateries.
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