Suspicions Confirmed - Mystery Solved!
January 13th, 2010When you drive around Christmas Circle you can’t miss it. From 1949 until 1977 it was known as Hugh Woods Market - a building of mid-century modern design that for many years was the one and only grocery store in Borrego. At night it was a glowing beacon onto Christmas Circle.
Post 1977 the grocery was called Borrego Valley Foods. Two years ago the building was sold to Borrego Valley Foods LLC, a subsidiary of GH Capital, the company that bought Rams Hills (reworked into Montesoro Golf and Social Club) and La Casa del Zorro (rebranded Borrego Ranch Resort and Spa, which closed January 8th, 2010). Plans were to open an upscale market in Borrego Springs – however those plans never materialized and the building has been vacant since.
Later this month the building is up for auction – and in the next issue of the Borrego Sun, an interesting article will tell the latest installment in a story of boom and bust. What is of particular interest to borregomodern.com is that what we suspected has been confirmed – that the building was designed by William Kesling, and constructed by Kesling Modern Structures – the same as the historic and iconic Borrego Springs Desert Club.
Borrego Historian and author Phil Brigandi writes, “Quite right! The third issue of the Borrego Sun (May 1949) reports the opening of the $50,000 Borrego Business Building (which included the market). “The architecture and construction were completed by Kesling Modern Structures Company of La Jolla specialists in ultra-modern styling.”
We at BorregoModern.com believe the Borrego community and the buildings’ next owner have the opportunity to recapture and capitalize on this important part to the community’s history. The Hugh Woods Market building is a significant contributor to Borrego’s historic commercial core. Built in 1949 it appears to retain much of its original fabric. While there have been alterations, these can and should be removed and the building brought back to its original design. It can be the anchor for a revitalized commercial core that celebrates and capitalizes Borrego’s unique mid-century Desert Modern design esthetic.


January 20th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Well said sir
May 10th, 2010 at 7:51 am
Easily, the post is really the sweetest on this noteworthy topic. I fit in with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your next updates. Saying thanks will not just be enough, for the wonderful lucidity in your writing. I will directly grab your rss feed to stay abreast of any updates. Solid work and much success in your business endeavors!
May 31st, 2011 at 7:06 pm
I agree wholeheartedly that the next owner of the former Hugh Woods Market has a wonderful opportunity to “recapture and capitalize on this important part to the community’s history.” It’s a sentimental thing for me, since I have lived in Borrego Springs since 1960, but the building brought back to its original design, is the best idea I have heard concerning the restoration of such a historical site. Removing the entry doors from the North side of the building, and relocating them to their original location on the Southwest side, would not only return it’s original charm, but would help eliminate the parking problem on Palm Canyon Drive at the existing “front entry” of the building.
May 13th, 2012 at 10:32 am
I just found your site from google and I love your site, keep up the good work.