Beloved John’s Garden Employee, Steve Ridgway, Dies at 63

Steve Ridgway never had a bad day. For decades, he sent off customers of John’s Garden in Malibu with a smile and a "be good out there."

The beloved employee of the sandwich and snack shop died unexpectedly Saturday at the age of 63. Ridgway’s last day at John’s Garden was Friday, according to owner Boyan Kinov.

"He was just a very sweet and lovable person," Kinov said. "Everybody loved him."

Kinov worked at the sandwich shop alongside Ridgway for seven years before purchasing it last year.

“I lost a friend, a worker, family,” Kinov said of Ridgway's passing.

He came up with the idea to put out a book for customers and friends to sign. Kinov said he plans to send it to Ridgway's surviving wife and step-daughter when it is full.

At the store, flowers and a photo of Ridgway are above the book as a temporary memorial.

The original owner, John Musante, started John's Garden as a door-to-door produce delivery truck in 1955. Musante opened a produce stand at the Malibu Country Mart in 1975.

Ridgway, who lived in Venice, was part of the business from the beginning and as John's Garden passed through different ownership over the years, he remained a constant.

"Everybody knows him. He's been here for so long," Kinov said.

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