Clarks Establishes a Name for Itself

Clark’s Nutrition and Natural Foods Markets is an established name and has a still growing reputation from its establishment in 1972 in downtown Riverside to the 2005 opening of the most recent location in Rancho Mirage. Original owner Jim Clark served the public by providing whole and organic foods, organic produce, bulk foods, dairy and deli items, prepared foods and frozen foods. Four generations of the Clark family have helped to operate the business. It was difficult in the beginning to reach out to residents of all ages, but it was Jim’s vision that brought the business the success it has gained in recent years. Ray Clark, Jim’s son and the CEO of CNNFM, opened a second location in San Bernardino. His sons Bruce and Jeff joined the company in 1980. In those eight years, three generations of Jim’s family have worked in the family-owned company. To accommodate its growth, they needed to relocate their San Bernardino site to a bank building located two doors down that contained 6,000 sq. ft. of space, a significant upgrade from their original 1,700 sq. ft. By 1990, the company adjusted to their new Riverside home. The historic DeAnza Theater building at 12th and Market Street became CNNFMI’s new Riverside home and corporate headquarters with 12,000 square feet of retail space. The management of the Riverside and San Bernardino stores had been consolidated in 1985. This allowed for retail and sales growth, including the computerized point-of-sale system and fully integrated accounting system. New positions became available, caused by the expansion, and sales associates were expected to understand the importance of nutrition within the Education and Development department. CNNFM prides itself in providing informative solutions in regard to consumers’ health. Over the years of the company’s growth, the Clarks have re-established a gourmet delicatessen at its new Riverside location, after closing the original sit-down restaurant on the old premises to accommodate retail sales of supplements and natural foods. An increase of yearly sales has led the company to open two more locations: one in Loma Linda, and the recently opened Rancho Mirage store. The Loma Linda store features a comprehensive produce department with an emphasis on organic produce and an in-store gourmet kitchen providing organic gourmet and vegan meals cooked on the premises for takeout convenience. New product categories were introduced with the Rancho Mirage store, featuring one of the largest organic wine selections in the industry and a government-certified organic café. With popular demand for organic foods markets, the company has established itself in a rapidly growing position. After having survived four decades, the company has established itself as an important part of a $60 billion industry. The vision of Jim Clark has proved that drive reaches further heights when consistency and integrity are involved.