The Story

Casalegno’s Country Store
Established 1929

Casalegno’s is returning to our family, with a renewed vision and a deep respect for what this place has always meant.

We are creating a small, thoughtful farm store, market, and coffee shop rooted in history, simplicity, and community. A place where you can stop in for coffee, share a conversation, pick up some local produce and be part of something meaningful.

For nearly 100 years, this little store has been part of our family’s story. It has been a place of gathering, hard work, growth and connection. These memories and traditions have created a sense of belonging for so many, a legacy that has lasted through the generations. 

Over time, the space has seen different chapters and caretakers, each leaving their mark in their own way. This property has always brought people together and the uniqueness of this location is part of its magic.

This moment is both meaningful for our community and also deeply personal. It is a chance to restore not just a space, but a feeling. To bring it back to something that reflects its roots, its history, and the sense of connection it has always fostered.

Black and white photo of a vintage Chevrolet pickup truck parked in front of a service station with signs for Chevron and Mount View Ranch. Two men are present; one standing near a bicycle and the other sitting in the truck's cab, smiling at the camera.
Black and white photo of a vintage Chevrolet pickup truck parked in front of a service station with signs for Chevron and Mount View Ranch. Two men are present; one standing near a bicycle and the other sitting in the truck's cab, smiling at the camera.
An old vintage gas station with Chevron gasoline sign, a red gas pump, and a small snack shop called Casalegno. There is also a Royal Crown Cola sign visible behind the window.

Matt’s Story

I grew up on the Casalegno family land, where 3 generations before me planted roots not just in the soil, but in a way of life. The legacy my great-grandparents began was never just about farming, it was about family, resilience, and a deep connection to the land. That legacy has shaped not only my values but also the course of my life.

Some of my earliest memories on the farm are of long, sun-warmed days in the orchard, working side by side with my grandparents and parents, aunts, uncles and cousins, harvesting apples, pears and plums. As a little boy my grandfather would pay me 25 cents a box to gather fallen apples from the orchard floor, fruit that would go on to become apple cider at Martinelli’s in Watsonville. What seemed like small work at the time became something much larger: a quiet lesson in responsibility, pride, and purpose.

Summers were spent at farmers markets with my grandmother, where I learned the value of hard work, conversation, and community. Those moments…simple, steady, and full of meaning…. left a lasting imprint.

I shared a special bond with my Grandfather Bill Casalegno, who taught me everything he knew about tractor work and farming. But more than skills, he passed down a deep respect for the land and a sense of duty to care for it.

Today, I carry that legacy forward. Not out of obligation, but out of love and pride. Each season, each harvest, is a continuation of the generations who came before me, and a promise to those who will come after. 

Two people standing in front of a restaurant with a sign that says "Casalegno's" and a wooden fence with signs that say "Enter" and "Welcome."

Marissa’s Story

What began as a simple “yes” to helping my husband Matt’s grandmother at a local farmers market became the beginning of a lifelong path. In 2001, I began working alongside Viola Casalegno, learning not only how to grow and harvest food, but how to care for the land and the people around me with intention. Through those days at the markets and seasons spent with Grandma Vi tending zinnias and tomatoes in the garden, I came to understand that farming is about more than food, it is about connection, stewardship, and community.

Over the years, I developed a genuine love for this land and for the life built around it. Matt and I spent seven years living at the Casalegno store house and it’s been another 15 since we built our home and moved just across the field. Those years raising our boys, surrounded by orchards, family, history, and the rhythms of farm life deepened my connection not only to the land itself, but to the legacy it carries.

For many years, I have held a vision for this space and what it could become, an evolution  of the farm and the values that have shaped my life so deeply. A place where people feel welcomed, connected, nourished, and truly at home. Being given the opportunity to bring that vision to life feels deeply personal, almost like a homecoming. It is something that has lived quietly in my heart for many years, and I feel incredibly grateful to now step into this next chapter.

Today, my work continues to grow from that foundation, rooted in a love of community, a deep respect for those who came before us, and a desire to create something meaningful for future generations.

Assorted fresh vegetables including yellow squash, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and basil in a basket.

“Our vision for the store is rooted in connection — bringing together thoughtfully made goods, local talent, and the people behind them.”

A young child holding a large brown chicken outdoors in a grassy area during daylight.