Roseville, MN—On June 2, 2026, the founder of Mastel's Health Foods, John Mastel, passed away of Alzheimer Dementia at the age of 89, according to his obituary. Born on April 14, 1937, Mastel spent his childhood in South Dakota and Montana before finishing his education in Spokane, WA. His early work experiences included a job with Minnesota State Highway Department in 1966, but two years into the job, Mastel was affected by a serious intestinal illness that left him hospitalized for 54 days. He recovered from the incident with a new-found interest in natural healing systems and nutrition, which led to the founding of Mastel's Health Foods in Minnesota in 1968.
The store gained its first national spotlight in 1999, when the The Daily Show from New York filmed a segment at the store, which was broadcasted nationally on Comedy Central (the director of that segment has shared it here).
In 2000, after decades of service, Mastel announced he would be retiring from the day-to-day management of the store. He remained as owner and founder until 2023, when, after 55 years of ownership, sold his store to two of his long-time managers, Lauren Gaffney and Alina Hornfeldt.
In April 2023, WholeFoods Magazine reported on the ownership transition behind Mastel's Health Foods. As the new leaders focused on the education and customer service principles left behind by Mastel, they wanted to assure their customers that they could expect the same quality they had come to love under its previous owner.
“We have been a part of this store for years, and we are passionate about its mission to help people lead healthier lives,” said Hornfeldt in the article. “We are grateful for the opportunity to carry on this important work and positively impact our community.”
When news broke of his passing, we reached out to Garney and Hernfeldt to not only share our condolences but to gain insights into the lasting impact of Mastel both on the industry and to them personally.
"While he retired from Mastel's in 2000, his influence on both our company and the natural products industry remains profound," they shared. "John helped build Mastel's into a trusted community institution and was a passionate advocate for natural health long before it became mainstream. Known for his integrity, curiosity, and commitment to helping people improve their health, John believed that education and personalized guidance were just as important as the products on our shelves. He built lasting relationships with customers, suppliers, and fellow retailers throughout the industry and earned the respect of all who knew him. Today, more than 55 years after founding Mastel's, his vision continues to guide us. We remain committed to the values he championed: exceptional customer service, a dedication to wellness, and a genuine desire to help people live healthier lives. We are honored to carry his legacy forward and are grateful that WholeFoods Magazine is recognizing his contributions to our industry."
A memorial service has been scheduled for June 27. Additional details are available here.
