There is a local gem tucked away on Lexington Avenue, a family secret that has been feeding the health of the community for 40 years. Mrs. B’s Beautiful Foods, located at 1393 Lexington Avenue, has been offering bulk foods, heath food products and vitamin supplements since 1970.
“She made people feel like their weight in gold,” said Mary Bolesky. Bolesky is the daughter-in-law of the late Lillian Bolesky, original founder and owner of Mrs. B’s. Bolesky took over the store when her mother-in-law passed away in 1991. Bolesky noted her late mother-in-law’s passion for fresh healthy foods and her genuine love and care for people was the secret recipe that laid the foundation for the success of the health food store.
Bolesky said she worked with and learned from Lillian Bolesky and for 30 years.
A little known fact about Mrs. B’s is their fresh carry-out options that include freshly prepared sandwiches, salads, baked goods and smoothies.
Bolesky added,”We don’t just sell vitamins, our freshly prepared food is our best kept secret.”
The same recipes are used today that were originaly created when Mrs. B’s first opened. For instance the famed Lillian’s Chicken Salad that customers return for year after year. Many regulars, known on a first name basis, now come in with their children.
The newest options available at Mrs. B’s are fish, organic merchandise including eggs, milk and recently expanding to Gluten Free products.
“We support all our local farms, buying from them as much as we possibly can,” said Bolesky.
Bolesky looks forward to the colder weather saying she will begin making her favorite recipe soups. Coined the original ‘Soup Nazi’ by her customers Bolesky said she has won local soup contests with some of her recipes. Bolesky added she gladly shares her recipes with customers, and they are all prepared from scratch.
Mrs. B’s is family owned and operated, to find out more visit www.mrsbsbeautifulfoods.com or call 419-989-4904.
Recipe for the Bran Squares Mrs. B’s can’t make enough of. Mary said they are gone as soon as they come out of the oven.
Mrs. B’s Bran Squares
2 cups Wheat Bran
2 cups Rolled Oats
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 ½ cups walnuts (chopped)
2 cups dates (chopped)
4 eggs
1 cup oil
1 cup honey
1 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon lemon zest
Mix ingredients and bake @ 325 for 45 min in 9×13 pan (coated w/ spray)
