Mendocino Jams & Preserves

That little blue building at the ocean end of Main Street looks almost too storybook to be practical — which is exactly why it works.

Overview

Mendocino Jams & Preserves sits at 440 Main Street, where the village begins to give way to the open Mendocino Headlands and the Pacific.

The company describes the building as an early twentieth-century carriage house, meaning its story began long before shelves were filled with jars of blackberry, olallieberry and apricot jam.

The business itself also has a long history. A 2021 profile reports that it was opened in 1975 by Marilyn Douglas and later purchased by Robert Forest in 1989. That puts Mendocino Jams & Preserves at this end of the village for roughly half a century.

Location

The shop stands at 440 Main Street near the western end of the Mendocino business district, only a short distance from the Mendocino Headlands.

Its small size, steep roof and cottage-like appearance fit naturally into the village, although the building's original purpose was very different from the retail shop found there today.

Its location also makes the business a natural stop for visitors walking through town or heading toward the headlands.

History

The building is described by Mendocino Jams & Preserves as an early twentieth-century carriage house. At some point that earlier utility building was adapted for commercial use, eventually becoming home to one of Mendocino's most recognizable specialty-food shops.

Published history identifies Marilyn Douglas as opening Mendocino Jams & Preserves in 1975. Robert Forest purchased the business in 1989, beginning another long chapter in its history.

One community memory adds an intriguing question to the early story. Two sisters are remembered as having started, or possibly having been closely associated with, the business. That memory does not line up neatly with the published account identifying Marilyn Douglas as the founder, so the identity and role of those two sisters remains an open part of the story. Old newspaper advertisements, business directories, photographs, property records or additional community memories may eventually help clarify that early chapter.

By 2008, longtime Mendocino Coast resident Andrew Wells had joined the company's small production crew after returning to the coast from Sonoma County. A 2021 account described him as head of kitchen operations and reported that the entire business then employed only six people.

That small scale is an important part of the Mendocino Jams & Preserves story. Even as its products reached customers far beyond the village, the company remained a small local operation.

The Building Today

The company says its products are made on the Mendocino Coast in small batches using whole ripe fruit, lemon juice, natural fruit pectin and sugar, without preservatives or extenders.

Over the years the selection expanded beyond traditional jams to include jellies, fruit butters, marmalades, chutneys, nut butters, dessert sauces, mustards and other specialty products.

Why It Matters

An old carriage house found a new purpose, and over several decades generations of visitors have walked through its door and left carrying a little piece of Mendocino home with them.

Community Memories

Community memories show how firmly the shop has become part of the Mendocino visiting tradition. People describe it as a regular stop whenever they come to town. Some have bought jelly there for years, while others make a point of loading up on products or buying jars as gifts before heading home.

Families have made the little shop part of repeated Mendocino vacations, and even the dog treats have developed their own following.

Timeline

Early twentieth century — The building is constructed as a carriage house.

1975 — Marilyn Douglas opens Mendocino Jams & Preserves.

1989 — Robert Forest purchases the business.

2008 — Andrew Wells joins the small production crew.

2021 — A published profile documents the company's history and six-person staff.

Sources & Original Research: This article blends verifiable published history with the original Buildings and Businesses in Mendocino post and community memories. Sources include the official Mendocino Jams & Preserves website and About Us information; Cox Family Vineyards' February 8, 2021 feature “Mendocino Jams & Preserves: Behind the Jar,” documenting the 1975 opening by Marilyn Douglas, the 1989 purchase by Robert Forest and later kitchen operations; Visit Mendocino/Mendocino County Tourism Commission business information; and current Mendocino Jams & Preserves business listings. Original post text and photograph provided by Gee Bee; comment thread provided by Gee Bee with community memories from India Gingell, Richard Mary Atkins, Katherine Ritchey, Judy Thompson, Stephanie Thomas, Sandi Zap and Carmen M. Faria.