Swapping Spaces: Main Street Businesses Switch It Up, Move Into New Digs

Sprouts and Shutters brings you the latest on which businesses are shuttering —and which are sprouting — around Half Moon Bay and the Montara to Pescadero Coastside. This installment of Sprouts and Shutters features the many exciting changes taking place on Main Street these days, with some businesses swapping spaces and moving down the street and next door as well as opening up and expanding.

MOVED: P. Cottontail & Co., 330 Main Street, Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay’s favorite children’s clothing store — for babies and kids up to 12 years old — has moved down the street from 527 Main Street into Zaballa Square at 330 Main Street. P. Cottontail owner Sandra Murphy says the space is “bigger, lighter and airy with fabulous skylights.” She moved in just two weeks ago and is expecting more foot traffic with the new location. With the larger space, Murphy is planning to expand the inventory to carry larger sizes, 14 for girls and 12 for boys, as well more of a shoe selection.

The closer proximity to the Main Street Bridge and the possibility of it being closed during construction for a long period of time is a concern for Murphy but "not a huge one," she says. Regardless of what happens with the bridge, she says she's "staying positive" about the new location.

“As a business owner, you either stay and deal with what comes up or go somewhere else where you’ll have to deal with the issues that arise in that city,” she said. “The Main Street Bridge closure will initially effect business but there’s a beginning and an end to that project, so I’m optimistic when it’s over things will pick right back up again.”

MOVED: Arrowhead Framing, 345 Main Street, Half Moon Bay

Arrowhead Framing moved next door to occupy the space that Coastside.net was in. They officially opened Tuesday in the new space. Owner Peter Welch says he is now able to combine his work and living space in the same location, “dramatically increasing the convenience in my life and decreasing the rent,” he said. The services and inventory will be the same. The only thing missing from the store is the grand piano that regular customers were accustomed to seeing in the corner. “Now that I have the room, I was able to move the piano back into my private living space,” he said. Welch is planning a grand opening event in the new space sometime within the next few weeks. Stay tuned for details.

MOVING: Gifts a GoGo, 353 Main Street, Half Moon Bay

By the first week of June, Sherri Hill, owner of Gifts a GoGo, a gift shop and stationery store that offers a broad selection of gift baskets for different occasions, ranging from get well and romantic baskets to thank you and sympathy baskets, expects to be in her new digs on Main Street, moving out of the La Piazza space into something bigger — the space that once occupied Arrowhead Framing.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this move,” she said. “We’ll have more products and more traffic and our regular customers are excited about the change as well.” Currently the space is being renovated, and Hill says she is looking forward to having 900 square feet with bathrooms. “We’re busy with the contractors right now and are hoping we can open even earlier than June,” she said.

MOVED: Coastside.net, 418 Main St., Suite 8, Half Moon Bay 

Coastside.net, which provides Internet access to the City of Half Moon Bay, the Half Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce, the Cabrillo Unified School District and many Coastside businesses, as well as to hundreds of private households, moved up Main Street and as of April 1 have been in their new office now located at 418 Main St., Suite 8, upstairs above Ocean Books and Chez Shea.

CLOSING: Castellammare Home Accents, 406 Main Street, Half Moon Bay

Rhonda Adragna is closing shop. Within the next week the doors of Castellammare will officially be shut. The store opened in 2008 and carried a wide selection of unique home furnishings and accessory pieces, including custom sofas and chairs, unusual designer clocks, rugs, dinnerware, glassware, throws, pillows and more. Everything is currently on sale. She will be open to sell the last remaining items through this weekend. “There’s not a whole lot left but a few display pieces,” she said. “It was a really great experience to service the people of Half Moon Bay and visiting tourists, but it’s time to move on.”

OPENING: Crow's Nest, 406 Main St., Half Moon Bay

Dena Denniston is opening a woman’s clothing and accessories store in the space that housed Castellemare Home Accents. Stay tuned for details on the official opening date.

CLOSED: Casey’s Café, 328 Main Street, Half Moon Bay

The restaurant, known for their homemade soups, vegetarian selections, great sandwiches, kid's meals, "Casey's Burger," tempting desserts and patio seating, closed in January, but Sample This! Fine Catering is still going strong. Casey Sample has been catering and creating events for more than 30 years, offering the best of market and fresh, local produce. She has created a variety of menu presentations and offers personalized menus for special events. Call 650-726-2044 for more information.

EXPANDING: Toque Blanche, 604 Main St., Main Street, Half Moon Bay

Toque Blanche, a specialty retailer of high-quality kitchenware and tableware, purchased Chefworks, a Santa Cruz-based kitchenware store located in the popular Pacific Avenue shopping district. Chefworks was owned and founded by Judy Huyck who put the store up for sale after 17 years in business in order to retire. With a store footprint of 4,000 square feet and nine employees, Chefworks is about twice the size of Toque Blanche.

“Toque Blanche and Chefworks share the same passion for food and cooking,” said Toque Blanche owner Charles Nelson “and a desire to bring the best cooking tools to its customers. Both stores have things to learn from the other in terms of products and services to offer its customers.”

Read more on Half Moon Bay Patch:

• A Great Divide—Rents in Half Moon Bay
• The Winner of the Half Moon Bay History Quiz is …
• Half Moon Bay Migration: Where Do Residents Come From and Move to?
• Pillar Point Harbor Certified ‘Clean’