Change in the Air for Half Moon Bay Businesses

In the afterglow of some economic struggles for local businesses during the recent recession, there is new light brightening the business landscape of the Coastside.

For starters, a new gallery is opening on Main Street. The Ellen Joseph Gallery, officially opening on May 14, will showcases the oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings of Half Moon Bay artist, Ellen Joseph, as well as giclee reproductions of her work. Two main rooms display Joseph's more recent pieces, while earlier paintings of her travels around Europe and the United States fill the walls of the adjacent studio. Visitors can observe current paintings on the easels and learn more about the latest series in development.

The public is invited to attend the grand opening celebration of the gallery on Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15 from 2 to 6 p.m. Refreshments and live acoustic guitar by the artist's husband, Mike Slinn, will add to the festive atmosphere.

There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of the gallery at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 14. Representatives from the Half Moon Bay City Council and the Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce will officiate.

Another grand opening will take place this weekend: Main St.'s expansion to Bamboo Body + Soul, which will now have a space for one-time events, ongoing classes or workshops.The space will be available for rent for classes, from yoga to meditation, or for gatherings of up to 30 people. 

 “We are very pleased and excited to expand our existing services. We are passionate about extending a warm welcome while creating a comfortable place for you to relax while we work to exceed your expectations,” said owner Yasmin Caminiti.

Its grand opening will take place on Sun., May 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. The Arron Cohen Duo will be providing music alongside light refreshments, beverages, raffles and an opening ceremony.

Another new business celebrating a grand opening this month is the Half Moon Bay Sports Bar & Grill in the Stone Pine Shopping Center. On May 19, owners Steve and Bella Erlich, former owners of Enrique Liquor’s (now Longboard Liquors next to ), will open their doors to the public at 5 p.m.

“It’s been a beautiful experience so far. We’re meeting lots of the locals and nice people. I am very happy here and the bar promises to do very well. We have a lots of screens and a great menu with the best burgers and pizza,” said Steve Erlich.

Another new business opening, but not until the middle of June, is the Tortellini Originali Pasta Company in Shoreline Station at 225 Cabrillo Hwy S., 106B.

The new establishment will sell fresh, homemade paste and tortellini, made on site.

The former Holiday Inn Express Hotel on Highway 1 is now the Coastside Inn at Half Moon Bay. It's a Green Suites Certified property which features biodegradable and green products as well as green cleaning products, energy efficient lighting, low flow shower heads, energy miser sensors on all vending machines, and a recycling program.

The addition of these new businesses to Half Moon Bay will help ease the pain of losing at 799 Main Street after 12 years in business. Owner Richard Johns, PT, Lori Alexander, PT and Apryll Ayers, office assistance/aide, say they have enjoyed working with Coastside patients and doctors over the past years.

Coastside Physical Therapy will continue to be open in the Pacifica and South San Francisco locations. The Pacifica office is located at 52 Bill Drake Way and the South San Francisco office is located at 443 Grand Avenue.

Over at Pillar Point Harbor, the has been busy “sprucing up,” said owner Mary Botham. “By now you may have noticed our new blues on the outside with some eye-popping vermillion for accent. The fish market wall is especially nice. We also have added a faux stone to our building and some colorful painted fish inside for a bit of whimsy." Botham says that there's more remodeling on the horizon as well. 

The restaurant has also added a mini fish taco and cheese ravioli meal to the children's menu.

Just up the road at Pillar Point Harbor, is also undergoing renovations, but under new ownership. It is currently closed and expected to open sometime this summer.

And the Old Princeton Landing Bar now has the Silver Star Grill attached to its name.

“New management, new Bar, live music every weekend, (Reggae, Country, Hip-Hop, Fundraisers, Blues, Rock, Indie, Jazz, Salsa), clean back patio, live music coming this summer, food now ‘til 1 a.m.,” said Michael Lamirande of The Old Princeton Landing.

The Silver Star Grill menu features fries, tacos, pulled pork sandwiches, and burgers.

has moved its yard and garden items to 131 California Avenue in the Princeton Harbor area. Outdoor garden items such as arches, gates and gazebos, chimenas, fountains, hand made animals, and the store’s famous glass by the pound is sold here now in a 110-year-old farmhouse just down the road from .

The store is still open in the original location at Main and Purissima Streets in downtown Half Moon Bay, featuring a collection of vintage and antique items for the home and for gifts.