Mimi the Sardine Swims to Corte Madera

Welcome Mimi the Sardine to Corte Madera.  Pia Andersson is originally from Sweden and now lives in Corte Madera. She is the owner of this delightful, fun, family friendly store filled with high quality, colorful eating accessories for kids and table coverings for your home. Her products are manufactured in Oakland, with 100% organically-grown cotton fabrics from Sweden, and are sold across the country as well as internationally.

Their world-class Swedish designs emphasize fun, while the quality, durability, and easy care of the fabric make you and our planet happy. The cotton has a water-based acrylic coating (not PVC). It is permanently water, soil, and mess resistant yet remains soft and supple. Simply wipe clean or machine wash! 

Many people ask Andersson, why she chose the name, Mimi the Sardine? “It was either that, or Pippi the Cat … and after all these years, we have never gotten tired of the name.”

Mimi the Sardine has been in business since 1988 and in Marin County since 1994. The store has recently moved from San Rafael to 305A Montecito Drive, located in the Old Corte Madera Square near Piccolo Pavillion. They are housed in a 100-year old carriage house with large windows, views of beautiful trees and Andersson had real leaves, from Corte Madera trees, stamped onto the floor. 

Andersson said, “I wanted a retail store so we can have interaction with the community around us… I want to have events, trunk shows, cooking demonstrations, and guest speakers talk about food... I want a place were the community can get together and communicate on all things food related… I love food and family meals and want families to eat together, talk and not worry about the mess.” 

She lovingly added, “We are geared towards the messy family! … Our products are visually exciting, practical and durable.”

Mimi The Sardine will be opening on Tuesday, Aug. 9. They will be having a Back to School Sale lasting through the month. They are featuring Waste Free Lunch Kits that are required by many schools.  You can come to the store and find Mimi The Sardine lunch bags, Lunch Bots (stainless steel lunch boxes), Klean Kanteen (stainless steel bottles) and Fabkins (organic cloth napkins).

Andersson’s passion for family, food and fun are evident in her products and life. When asked how this all began, she replied, “When I had my first child, I wanted to work from home and have always had a passion for this coated cloth… I couldn’t find it here (United States) so when I went back to Sweden I brought some back. At that time it was on every single table in Swedish homes, a tablecloth that you could wipe off … and they were well designed, high quality and very practical for families… Then I worked with a company (here in the U.S.) to develop the coating so it would be even better for kids … I made a bib, sent it to a mail order company that immediately accepted it.”

As we sat around a table, decorated with Mimi the Sardine cloth and napkins, having coffee and muffins with members of her staff (a practice they do daily) I felt the love and connection they all shared.

Patty Hartley, of Novato has been with the company two years in customer service and told me, “I love working here because I like the people I work with, we are like a family … it is a very friendly company, the product is great, we have quality, beauty and great energy.”

Kim Chandler of Mill Valley has been with the store for 11 years and does most of the shipping. When I asked her what she liked about working at Mimi the Sardine, she told me, “I love it so much … everything here is perfect.”

General manager Barbro Hades has been with the company for almost 20 years and tells me, “It’s a fun place. ... You can wake me up in the middle of the night and I could tell you exactly what UPC codes and the accounting program and everything.”

To celebrate the opening of Mimi the Sardine’s new store in Corte Madera, Miss Marilyn, a children’s entertainer, will be there August 9 from 12-2 p.m., with face painting and balloon twisting for the kids. 

So, stop by this fun, earth and family friendly store and welcome Mimi The Sardine to the Corte Madera neighborhood! 

Beginning Tuesday, August 9, 2011, Mimi the Sardine’s hours are: Monday – Friday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For details call: 415-924-9222, or visit their website:  Mimi the Sardine

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