Mercado Mesa, the latest venture from chef and business owner Summer Tarango, is set to open this fall in Costa Mesa. The concept will be moving into the upscale Paseo 17 retail center, located at 234 E 17th Street, amongst a number of boutiques, fitness, wellness & specialty shops.
Building on her successful Laguna Beach location, Mercado Laguna, Tarango will bring a carefully curated selection of seasonal produce, gourmet packaged goods, and grab-and-go meals. The business will also sell beer and wine starting next year, along with unique gift items curated by local artisans.
This location will be larger than the Laguna Beach store. Tarango tells What Now OC that staff has been hired and that the space is being stocked up over the next few weeks.
Everything will be crafted in the Summer’s Table kitchen, her Laguna Beach-based commissary and catering service. Tarango, a Laguna Beach native and breast cancer survivor, began Summer’s Table as a meal kit and grocery delivery service during COVID-19. Inspired to create more immediate options for her customers, she opened Mercado Laguna in 2022.
“I’m a Laguna Beach native with a passion for bringing people together, whether it’s a dinner party or a business venture. I curate a selection of vibrant, seasonal produce, local provisions, and balanced, flavorful meals—both ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook—all crafted in the Summer’s Table Kitchen in Laguna Beach. I love feeding people the rainbow, supporting the community + enjoying the occasional treat!” she shared.