In this difficult economic time I am continually saddened by the closing down of restaurants and stores in Morro Bay.
Today is the final day that the Bob's Big Boy (that took over the former Denny's building on Quintana 2 years ago) will be open. I visited this restaurant at least twice a month, and after the first couple of months their customers stopped visiting. The last couple of months the quality and service had been declining, now I know why -- they were "phoning it in" knowing the end was near.
I usually stay off the Embarcadero during the "high" tourist season, for obvious reasons to whoever lives here. No parking, too many people, etc. I am not complaining, these tourists are keeping our community from sinking even further down in the mire of this economic downturn. But, I was surprised to learn today that another new restaurant had closed down. Anchor Park Cafe, owned by the people who bring us one of the best restaurants on the Embarcadero (The Hofbrau), was only open for about 2 months!! I ate there only once, but was impressed at the unique menu and they had by far the best fish and chips on the strip!! There is an Italian restaurant there now (Rocca's) and I hope they make it through the dry months where fewer tourists are in town.
The Pelican Grill is another restaurant that started out great but, as I returned several times throughout their short time at the South end of the Embarcadero, they began to substitute cheaper quality ingredients and their dishes suffered for it. Next thing I knew they were replaced by Miss Lola's Southside Grill (Lola is known locally for Frankie and Lola's Front Street Cafe up on the North end of the Embarcadero). Only time will tell if that restaurant can pull through.
These last two examples were totally renovated before the two failed restaurants moved in, so I suspect they both took quite a loss and the new restaurants inherited a completely renovated venue. Another restaurant that has closed its doors is The Whale's Tail. Ironically, they used to be down on the Embarcadero in the same building as Rocca's is now. They moved up to a building where the Gourmet Grub used to be, on Morro Bay Blvd. I didn't get a chance to visit the Gourmet Grub before it closed, but was happy to have another restaurant on the Boulevard. I went by a couple weeks ago to take a picture of their sign for this blog and found that they went out of business. Sadly, they were one of my top two fish and chips restaurants, now both are closed!! [Followup: there is another business moving into this building, perhaps another restaurant?]
A thrift store on Morro Bay Boulevard went out of business, but was quickly taken over by another one. Another thrift store at the top of Morro Bay Boulevard also went out of business, but has yet to be taken over by another shop. There are so many storefronts that are available for rent in town, and they have been available for months, even years!! I am hearing rumors that Giancarlos, The Hungry Fisherman, and The Nibble Nook are all for sale. So sad. I sure hope this economy picks up soon, or we could lose our draw for the tourists that help support our lifestyles.
On a good note, a restaurant from the Embarcadero (DiStasio's on The Bay) has taken over the former Anthony's restaurant. They are now open for business for dinner and plan on adding lunch soon. Another restaurant is opening soon over in North Morro Bay (Weeman's Burgers) across the street from the now demolished-waiting-for-renovation Taco Bell. There is a new florist on Main Street in North Morro Bay, there is also a new party store at the top of Morro Bay Boulevard. There are salons closing, and more opening. A new yoga place opened up, and a new spa as well. We have an Urgent Care in town now, great when we don't have to drive all the way into SLO for a simple injury. And we have a wine-tasting place (Stax) now, which I have yet to try, I hear they also offer some food options now.
Bottom line is we need to patronize these restaurants and shops, especially in the "off" season, or they might have to close down.
OK, off my soap box for now.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Review - San Luis Obispo Thrift Stores
Thrift Stores in San Luis Obispo
I often find some great household items in this shop, sometimes it has an odd odor though. They have a great selection of constantly changing items. There is a little parking lot in the back, and you can also park on the side street and walk to the three shops in this neighborhood.
This shop has nice inexpensive books, lots of old textbooks and religious books. They also have a great selection of household items. They get lots of new donations and so their inventory changes frequently. 
This shop does not have a lot of turn-around so the same items sit on the shelves month to month. I check it out a couple of times a year.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Review - Atascadero Thrift Stores
Atascadero Thrift Stores
This shop is affiliated with the Achievement House, although it is much smaller than the other thrift shops of theirs I have visited. They had a bag sale and a sale on books today, I was able to find 6 books to purchase. As with all of the Achievement House shops, you must be patient with the workers, and the money goes to a great cause. This shop is nestled back in a strip mall shopping center just north of Santa Rosa, on the east side of the street.
The Atascadero Goodwill shop is just like all the other Goodwills in the area. This shop has a silent auction case, which you should always check out just in case there are any deals to be had. There are only modern books here, with a few older ones thrown in randomly. I noticed that there were quite a few hardbacks, not so many paperbacks. They offer some new merchandise that had probably been remaindered from some local store, as well as a nice selection of household goods. The Goodwills in the area run daily specials, today's was 10% for educators and students. Too bad there was nothing I was interested in, I could have used the discount!!
This shop is in a new building, after their nice old one burned several years ago. Their old one had so much merchandise, years worth, and I was lucky to have visited before it burned. They have been building up their merchandise since the building burned, and now have a nice collection of items for sale. Once you get past the Christian music being broadcast to the store there are some nice items to be had. They also offer a weekly raffle for those who bring their own bags!! Today I found a couple books, and one interesting vintage collectible bird card book from the 1930s!!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Review - Cayucos Thrift Stores and Antique Shops
I enjoy heading up to Cayucos to check out their antique shops and thrift store. There is an antique shop on the left as you drive into town from the South that is hardly ever open. I did shop there once and got a great item so I always look to see if it is open when I am in town. Sometimes the library has books for sale, but I don't know if they will still do this in their new location at the grade school.
This is a great shop that is in an old mercantile building from the late 1800s. There are three floors, and it is a mall-style shop. I enjoy this style of shop because it offers lots of different types of items, and this shop does not disappoint. However, there were a lot of empty stalls, and there are a ton of "new" items for sale now. There is a second shop down the street, perhaps they should consolidate the booths again and get rid of the new items. That said, I did buy one thing here, and it was from a new booth!! The folks were friendly here, and I will definitely return again.
This is another mall-style antique shop, and it is also in an old 3-story mercantile building from the late 1800s. It is nice to have two shops so close to each other, so you don't have to walk too far between shops!! Most of the items in here are old items, but they have had the same stuff here forever!! This can be good, but it might keep the locals from regularly shopping here, they will assume that they have already seen everything. I will definitely return here, hoping that there will be something I can't live without!!
This shop is a couple blocks south of the other two mall-style shops, and must be related to Remember When. The shop is smaller, only one story, and has lots of jewelry and stuff in glass cases. There is a lot of ethnic art and jewelry booths. There isn't a lot of the sort of stuff I shop for, but most people will find something they like. One negative is that there is a strong odor of mildew when you enter the building. When I am in town I will return to this shop.
I try to always stop at this thrift shop on my way through town. It used to be next to the Cayucos library, but now that the library has moved I fear that their customer base might suffer. Of course, the library might also suffer from lack of patrons due to the move away from the thrift store. There is a pretty good selection of books here, and also some home-crafted items for sale. There is not a lot of turnover in the shop, and I see the same things each time I shop here. I will still check the shop out when I pass through town.
Remember When Antiques
This is a great shop that is in an old mercantile building from the late 1800s. There are three floors, and it is a mall-style shop. I enjoy this style of shop because it offers lots of different types of items, and this shop does not disappoint. However, there were a lot of empty stalls, and there are a ton of "new" items for sale now. There is a second shop down the street, perhaps they should consolidate the booths again and get rid of the new items. That said, I did buy one thing here, and it was from a new booth!! The folks were friendly here, and I will definitely return again. Rich Man - Poor Man Antiques Mall
This is another mall-style antique shop, and it is also in an old 3-story mercantile building from the late 1800s. It is nice to have two shops so close to each other, so you don't have to walk too far between shops!! Most of the items in here are old items, but they have had the same stuff here forever!! This can be good, but it might keep the locals from regularly shopping here, they will assume that they have already seen everything. I will definitely return here, hoping that there will be something I can't live without!!Remember When Too! Antiques
This shop is a couple blocks south of the other two mall-style shops, and must be related to Remember When. The shop is smaller, only one story, and has lots of jewelry and stuff in glass cases. There is a lot of ethnic art and jewelry booths. There isn't a lot of the sort of stuff I shop for, but most people will find something they like. One negative is that there is a strong odor of mildew when you enter the building. When I am in town I will return to this shop.Cayucos Seniors Gift 'N Thrift
I try to always stop at this thrift shop on my way through town. It used to be next to the Cayucos library, but now that the library has moved I fear that their customer base might suffer. Of course, the library might also suffer from lack of patrons due to the move away from the thrift store. There is a pretty good selection of books here, and also some home-crafted items for sale. There is not a lot of turnover in the shop, and I see the same things each time I shop here. I will still check the shop out when I pass through town.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Review - Arroyo Grande Thrift Stores
Once I finish the Grover Beach thrift stores, I continue into Arroyo Grande.
From southbound Grand, turn right on Elm. Turn into the parking lot and go left behind the Domino's to Another Time Around. I think this shop is run by a church group, but I am not sure. They have a little room off to the right of the main entrance for "boutique" items. Don't forget to check out the drawers under the window counter display for hidden items. This shop is good for decorative items and books. I have purchased books here, as well as some craft items. I find that there is not a lot of turnover in this shop, I see the same items there for many months and not many fresh items.
Turn left from the parking lot onto Elm and get in the right lane. Turn right on Grande and immediately get into the left turn lane. Turn left on Briscoe and go up the hill. On the right, just after an auto body shop, is a tiny thrift store run by the Episcopaleans called St. Barnabas Thrift Shop. I like the selection of books here, and I often find some good deals on kitchen and decorative items. Like other thrift stores you might luck out and find a nice collectible item for a good price. They have bag sales periodically, and often have books on sale. Again, I find that there is not a lot of turnover in this shop, I see the same items there for many months and not many fresh items.
Get back on Briscoe and head down the hill. Be careful when leaving this shop because there is a lot of traffic coming down the hill. It is difficult to turn left onto Grande, but if you get impatient you might want to turn right and then make a U-turn to end up going southbound on Grande again. Stay in the left lane and keep your eyes open for a little driveway at the light (between the floor coverings place and the print shop). If you miss this turn you can turn in the next and backtrack. The shop is Treasure Hunters and you can find some real deals here if you are willing to search. The items are in sort of a rough order and sometimes you have to dig for what you want. There is a large selection of books and miscellaneous "guy" stuff. I usually buy kitchen items here, but have lucked out recently with some collectibles that were quite reasonably priced. There are many items that are not marked, and some items look like they have not been cleaned between the garage sale and the shop.
If you are still in the mood for shopping for books and audiobooks, when you leave the lot, turn left on Grande and get in the right lane. Turn right on Halcyon and turn into the lot for A-Z Books. I have never been in this shop before, mainly because I run out of money and motivation by the end of my thrifting day, but one day I will stop by here and update this review. While you are parked here you can cross the street and visit The Sound of Books, an audio bookstore. If you have anything that needs to be notarized, she does this too!! You can buy used audio books, or new audio books, and sometimes she has sales. When you leave the parking lot you can get back on Halcyon and head east to get back to 101. Sometimes I head up to Branch Street to see a movie in the Arroyo Grande Regal Theater or stop by the public library for some audio books.
From southbound Grand, turn right on Elm. Turn into the parking lot and go left behind the Domino's to Another Time Around. I think this shop is run by a church group, but I am not sure. They have a little room off to the right of the main entrance for "boutique" items. Don't forget to check out the drawers under the window counter display for hidden items. This shop is good for decorative items and books. I have purchased books here, as well as some craft items. I find that there is not a lot of turnover in this shop, I see the same items there for many months and not many fresh items.
Turn left from the parking lot onto Elm and get in the right lane. Turn right on Grande and immediately get into the left turn lane. Turn left on Briscoe and go up the hill. On the right, just after an auto body shop, is a tiny thrift store run by the Episcopaleans called St. Barnabas Thrift Shop. I like the selection of books here, and I often find some good deals on kitchen and decorative items. Like other thrift stores you might luck out and find a nice collectible item for a good price. They have bag sales periodically, and often have books on sale. Again, I find that there is not a lot of turnover in this shop, I see the same items there for many months and not many fresh items.
Get back on Briscoe and head down the hill. Be careful when leaving this shop because there is a lot of traffic coming down the hill. It is difficult to turn left onto Grande, but if you get impatient you might want to turn right and then make a U-turn to end up going southbound on Grande again. Stay in the left lane and keep your eyes open for a little driveway at the light (between the floor coverings place and the print shop). If you miss this turn you can turn in the next and backtrack. The shop is Treasure Hunters and you can find some real deals here if you are willing to search. The items are in sort of a rough order and sometimes you have to dig for what you want. There is a large selection of books and miscellaneous "guy" stuff. I usually buy kitchen items here, but have lucked out recently with some collectibles that were quite reasonably priced. There are many items that are not marked, and some items look like they have not been cleaned between the garage sale and the shop.If you are still in the mood for shopping for books and audiobooks, when you leave the lot, turn left on Grande and get in the right lane. Turn right on Halcyon and turn into the lot for A-Z Books. I have never been in this shop before, mainly because I run out of money and motivation by the end of my thrifting day, but one day I will stop by here and update this review. While you are parked here you can cross the street and visit The Sound of Books, an audio bookstore. If you have anything that needs to be notarized, she does this too!! You can buy used audio books, or new audio books, and sometimes she has sales. When you leave the parking lot you can get back on Halcyon and head east to get back to 101. Sometimes I head up to Branch Street to see a movie in the Arroyo Grande Regal Theater or stop by the public library for some audio books.
Review - Grover Beach Thrift Stores
When I want a good day of thrifting I hit 101 and head south for Grover Beach. I take the 4th Street exit and turn right on El Camino Real, then left on Grand.
My first stop is the Family Thrift Shop. Once I turn left onto 7th from Grand I turn right into the first parking lot (there is a restaurant on the corner). This shop is a bit hit-and-miss. I have found some craft supplies here, as well as some household pieces (particularly kitchen items). They have an area up some steps that has electronic items, and there is also a little area to the right of the main door that is for "boutique" items. This shop also has quite a bit more sporting goods items than others in the area. I find the items here overpriced, and sometimes when I get the item home there was some hidden damage.
After I finish at the Family Thrift Shop, I leave their parking lot on 7th and get back on Grand. Stay in the left lane and then turn left on 9th. Turn right into the parking lot. From this parking lot you can visit two shops. The first one I go to is on the east corner of Grand and 9th. Green Bargain is a great shop, with a large variety of antique and collectible items as well as "garage sale" items. I have purchased decorative items, books, and kitchen items here. I was able to find a vintage candy dish just like my Grandmother's and I filled it with Christmas candy for my brother and his family last year. Some items seem a bit over-priced, but if you need a particular item that might not matter. The items are arranged in a logical manner and the people at the desk know where specific items are if you ask.
The other shop, St. Patrick's School, is across Grand. It is run by a church school and has a nice variety of items. I am always greeted by a friendly person behind the counter. I always check out the books here, they are quite reasonably priced and there is a wide selection available. I have purchased a handbag here, as well as some kitchen items. My favorite purchase here was a pewter tankard for $1.25 that I could use at the Renaissance Festival for my mead!!
When I leave the parking lot I often head up the hill to visit the Grover Beach Volunteer Library, a cute library in an historic building. I accidentally found it on one of my thrifting trips and they sometimes have books for sale. It is up 9th and just past Ramona on the right. When I am finished here I head back down 9th and turn left on Grand. Get in the right lane if you want to stop at Nan's Used Books just past 13th on the right. They have a ton of books, but most are not priced really well. This is the place to go if you are looking for a used book at half price and can't find it anywhere else. She also has some vintage books and I like looking through the crafting books. There is a large selection of audio books if you are interested in purchasing these rather than checking them out from your local library. I believe that you can sell or trade books here as well. I find this shop roughly-organized and I found it a bit overwhelming, and I think the only thing I ever bought here was a knitting book. Several times I have detected a cigarette smell and, worse due to the contagious nature, mildew smell. I have also observed and experienced some rude behavior on the part of the gal behind the counter. However, this shop has its regulars, so this must not bother many people.
Get back on Grand and stay in the right lane. Just past 16th turn right into the big parking lot. Head back into the strip mall and look for the Goodwill Store. This is a typical Goodwill store, but they often have an auction case set up. I recently made a bid on a vintage fly-rod, but was outbid. The one negative about this auction was that they wouldn't open the case for me to inspect the item I was bidding on. It is a silent auction format and there didn't seem to be a lot of people participating. I live out of the area so it was hard for me to follow-up on my bid since I had to do it in person. I have purchased books here, as well as kitchen items. Occasionally they miss a great vintage item and have it priced really low, so keep your eyes open. There are often items that are not marked, and the counter people do not know how to wrap fragile items.
Get back on Grand and stay in the right lane. When you cross Oak Park Blvd. you will be in Arroyo Grande. See the Review on Arroyo Grande thrift shops for the rest of my review!!
My first stop is the Family Thrift Shop. Once I turn left onto 7th from Grand I turn right into the first parking lot (there is a restaurant on the corner). This shop is a bit hit-and-miss. I have found some craft supplies here, as well as some household pieces (particularly kitchen items). They have an area up some steps that has electronic items, and there is also a little area to the right of the main door that is for "boutique" items. This shop also has quite a bit more sporting goods items than others in the area. I find the items here overpriced, and sometimes when I get the item home there was some hidden damage.
After I finish at the Family Thrift Shop, I leave their parking lot on 7th and get back on Grand. Stay in the left lane and then turn left on 9th. Turn right into the parking lot. From this parking lot you can visit two shops. The first one I go to is on the east corner of Grand and 9th. Green Bargain is a great shop, with a large variety of antique and collectible items as well as "garage sale" items. I have purchased decorative items, books, and kitchen items here. I was able to find a vintage candy dish just like my Grandmother's and I filled it with Christmas candy for my brother and his family last year. Some items seem a bit over-priced, but if you need a particular item that might not matter. The items are arranged in a logical manner and the people at the desk know where specific items are if you ask.
The other shop, St. Patrick's School, is across Grand. It is run by a church school and has a nice variety of items. I am always greeted by a friendly person behind the counter. I always check out the books here, they are quite reasonably priced and there is a wide selection available. I have purchased a handbag here, as well as some kitchen items. My favorite purchase here was a pewter tankard for $1.25 that I could use at the Renaissance Festival for my mead!!
When I leave the parking lot I often head up the hill to visit the Grover Beach Volunteer Library, a cute library in an historic building. I accidentally found it on one of my thrifting trips and they sometimes have books for sale. It is up 9th and just past Ramona on the right. When I am finished here I head back down 9th and turn left on Grand. Get in the right lane if you want to stop at Nan's Used Books just past 13th on the right. They have a ton of books, but most are not priced really well. This is the place to go if you are looking for a used book at half price and can't find it anywhere else. She also has some vintage books and I like looking through the crafting books. There is a large selection of audio books if you are interested in purchasing these rather than checking them out from your local library. I believe that you can sell or trade books here as well. I find this shop roughly-organized and I found it a bit overwhelming, and I think the only thing I ever bought here was a knitting book. Several times I have detected a cigarette smell and, worse due to the contagious nature, mildew smell. I have also observed and experienced some rude behavior on the part of the gal behind the counter. However, this shop has its regulars, so this must not bother many people.
Get back on Grand and stay in the right lane. Just past 16th turn right into the big parking lot. Head back into the strip mall and look for the Goodwill Store. This is a typical Goodwill store, but they often have an auction case set up. I recently made a bid on a vintage fly-rod, but was outbid. The one negative about this auction was that they wouldn't open the case for me to inspect the item I was bidding on. It is a silent auction format and there didn't seem to be a lot of people participating. I live out of the area so it was hard for me to follow-up on my bid since I had to do it in person. I have purchased books here, as well as kitchen items. Occasionally they miss a great vintage item and have it priced really low, so keep your eyes open. There are often items that are not marked, and the counter people do not know how to wrap fragile items.Get back on Grand and stay in the right lane. When you cross Oak Park Blvd. you will be in Arroyo Grande. See the Review on Arroyo Grande thrift shops for the rest of my review!!
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