Closing Restaurants and Shops

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.