Top row: Tori Chaney, Kylah Davis, Natalie Davis and Taylor Sprague. Seated: Jojo Green and Angie Brundage.
Murphy’s Salutes Mosgo’s
“I really don’t think I could do this anywhere else,” says Angie Brundage. “I think this community made it possible to me to do this at my age… and make the leap into buying my own business.” Most people in her position – age 23 and graduating from Humboldt State University in May – are planning not a lot beyond summer travels and applying for entry level jobs in their profession of choice. Brundage leap frogged all that a bit. In November, she became the business owner of Mosgo’s Coffee House, taking over from Peter and Gale who first opened the neighborhood café in 2006. The Mosgofians brought vitality to Arcata’s Westwood Shopping Center, neighboring the Westwood Murphy’s Market. Overnight, both longterm residents and students had a place to meet, study and enjoy Mosgo’s all-ages art and musical offerings. It was a passion for the couple. But it wasn’t any secret that the couple was looking for a life change… and Brundage was prepared to make one herself at just the right time. “I really appreciate
them giving me this opportunity,”she says. She spent months working with the Mosgofians and doing her own research – bringing her collegiate study skills to the process. She dug deep into the cafés books and queried established business owners for advice. A huge lift came from her experience working for Kris and Rick Roberts, owners of the Jitter Bean Coffee Company. “That’s where I really learned coffee,” the McKinleyville High grad says of her six years there. And landlord and Murphy’s owner Pat Murphy has been there to offer a helping hand. “He’s great. He comes in to buy coffee all the time. I can’t count how many people have said: I’m a phone call away,” she adds. So Brundage has gone into business ownership with eyes wide open. But that hasn’t meant that she has not had plenty of work. She’s there behind the counter every day. And then there’s the matter of her own books. Brundage is completing her HSU Psychology degree and somehow has been able to balance both responsibilities. She’s become a master at time management and hard work.
“Obviously you can,” Brundage says about being able to run her own business outside of Humboldt. “But this community is going to make it enjoyable.” And she’s enjoyed family support. A renovation of the space was made possible with a big hand from her dad who built much of the new furniture and countertops. Building is a family tradition – the Brundage family going four generations back in Humboldt as owners of Three Point Logging and continuing on as building contractors. There have been changes to the atmosphere, and Mosgo’s is expanding its menu to include more sandwiches and fresh fruit smoothies. She knows what to keep, too. Mosgo’s Equator fair trade/organic coffee tradition has stayed on. The new Mosgo’s has also built upon its music nights, with Buddy Reed a regular. Brudage’s plan involves growth while keeping customers happy with their favorite items. “I seem to have support everywhere. I’m really looking forward to growing with this community.”
Sunny Brae • Glendale • Trinidad • Cutten • Westwood
30 North Coast Journal • Thursday, May 8, 2014 • northcoastjournal.com
By Terrence McNally, Advertising, North Coast Journal