Princeton Pantry Officially Opens, Half Moon Flowers in New Location

Once a month, Sprouts and Shutters will bring you the latest on which businesses are shuttering —and which are sprouting — around Half Moon Bay and the Montara to Pescadero Coastside.

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OPENED: The Princeton Pantry, 15 Johnson Pier, Pillar Point Harbor, Half Moon Bay, 94019

A little slice of the French life has come to Pillar Point Harbor with the opening of The Princeton Pantry, a cross between a Parisian café, a cupboard stocked with fine food, and the famous flea market in Paris known as the Les Puces or The Fleas.

A glistening glass antique display case, trimmed in brass from Paris, exhibits fine pastries delivered everyday at 5 a.m. Mini-loaves of banana bread, fudgy brownies and lemon bars made by local bakers Little Bites of Heaven are also in the case but not for long they get bought up almost as quickly as they are delivered.

Behind the pastry display case is where you’ll find on most days , serving up some of the best espressos, lattes and cappuccinos on the Coast using Roast Co. coffee, a fair trade company that hand roasts their beans every week. Knier sells 12-ounce bags for $15 each.

Bistro chairs, outdoor seating, fresh flowers for sale, and a fine selection of wine housed in a handcrafted wine rack complete the Parisian market picture. Add the Guittard chocolates, cheese, pasta from Half Moon Bay, fresh fruit, and cold drinks for sale — to make your own a la carte picnic — and viola, you’d think you were in France.

But after a closer look around, you’re quickly reminded that this is Pillar Point Harbor, after all. A corner of the store is dedicated to fishing gear, line and bait. Fishing rods and lures hang on the walls and Bait & Switch Sportfishing (formerly the Huck Finn Center) reservations for fishing trips, sunset cruises, whale watching, and eco-tours are offered on site or by calling 650-726-7133. Small boxes of cereal, Pop Tarts, milk, Ritz and Saltine crackers, jerky, and cigarettes are also sold, catering to the boaters overnighting in the marina.

“There’s definitely a little bit of something for everyone here,” Knier says.

OPENED: Half Moon Flowers, 450 Capistrano Road, Half Moon Bay, 94019

Local florist Leila Simms moved Half Moon Flowers to a new location this month from inside the Harbor Village Mall to outside in a store front one block away. Freshly painted a bright cobalt blue, the new location is sandwiched between the Half Moon Bay Brewing Co. and Old Princeton Landing on Capistrano Road, selling an exquisite display of fresh flowers for sale by the stem as well as gift items, cards, and floral arrangements.

“Moving is definitely an experience, last time,” Simms posted on the store’s Facebook page.

Since 2004, Simms has been providing customers floral designs for events from weddings to holiday parties. Simms will continue these services and retail sales with the promise of increased foot traffic in the new space.

CLOSED: Mizu Salon, 504 Ave Alhambra, El Granada, 94018

Half Moon Bay location still open

Mizu Hair Salon, the AVEDA concept Salon that carries a full line of AVEDA products located a few blocks from the El Granada Post Office, officially closed their doors. Customers, however, will be happy to know that Mizu’s skilled professionals highly trained in the newest trends, innovative coloring techniques and styles are still available for appointments in their at 300 Main Street. Call 726-2088 to make an appointment.

About this column: Half Moon Bay Patch keeps tabs on which new businesses are popping up in Half Moon Bay and on the Coast and which ones will be leaving our community.

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