Abdul, owner of BBQ House, showing the space where the expanded restaurant hopes to open July 4th.
Occasionally our wandering reporter jots down what’s new – or not new – on Newport Avenue – the commercial center of Ocean Beach. Here’s what we found on a quiet Tuesday, the 14th of April.
BBQ House to Open Expansion by July 4th
The owners and staff at OB’s famous BBQ House are set to open their expansion by July 4th. Abdul told the OB Rag that he is expecting to fling wide the doors of the expanded restaurant in two months. He allowed us to have an exclusive look at the new space. And it’s obviously there is still much to be done.
Red wall will be removed.
The red wall that now divides the two areas will be taken down, we were told, in 2 weeks. The restaurant’s take-over of the space next door – the former “Cow” vinyl shop which moved across the street – has been a process that has been going on for over 2 years now – and has been anticipated by the community for that length of time.
The kitchen is being expanded as well.
The kitchen will also experience some expansion, as well, as the crew prepares for the doubling of business.
The BBQ House started out across the street, in a little hole in the wall in the old Strand building. When it moved across Newport, it had so many fans that the OB Planning Board voted to waive some of its parking requirements.
New Mural at Electric Chair
One of Newport’s venerable businesses, the Electric Chair, has undergone another change in its facade. Always updating the colorful front, the owners have this time returned to their “theme” or meme with this most recent make-over. It’s a hair-cutting place where Halloween is always being celebrated.
Animal Protection & Rescue Thrift Store
Another Newport storefront is touting its new facade – the Animal Protection and Rescue League thrift store – whose existence we noted in a recent news update. The live off of donated stuff in order to pay for their rescues.
Sapporo Under New Management?
There’s an application taped to the front door of OB’s first Japanese restaurant, Sapporo, indicating a change of ownership. What’s going on?
Nope, we were told by staff, it’s just the same owner incorporating the business.
Super Max Has Fresh Veggies and Fruits
We were amazed to see that the store that used to be a “99 cent store” now is selling fresh fruits and vegetables – right there on Newport.
And they’ve been doing it for about 5 months now – as part of the changes by the new owners, who took over a year and half ago, we were told by the general manager Daniel Allen.
Allen allowed us back into parts of the historic building that are rarely seen by the public.
A Plea to Not Give Money to the “Homeless by Choice”
Pasted on the glass windows of a number of businesses along Newport, was a flier pleading for people to not give any money to “travelers” and others who are “homeless by choice”. It’s put out by the newly-established Neighborhood Crime Watch Ocean Beach group.
Merchants Ready to Hire – Signs of Good Times
There were two storefronts advertising that they need help and want to hire. One was at “miss match” and the other at Margarita’s.
It’s always good to see local merchants wanting to hire people. A sign of good times.
Signs of Bad Times
There are also signs of bad times on or around Newport Ave. Two store fronts next to each other on Cable Street right off Newport that we noted a month ago were vacate are still vacate.
No Progress
And not much progress has been made at other businesses. For instance, there’s been no visible progress at the new Apple Tree market coming in on Newport. A month ago, they had a liquor license application on the window.
Plus not much has been happening at Newport Pizza’s new beer and pizzeria they’ve been building for years right across the street. An elevator is being installed that will go to all 3 levels of the brewery and restaurant.
Also the new Mediterranean restaurant coming in has not opened. Hummus, in the former check-cashing store – still has its doors firmly shut to the outside.
You never know what you’ll find at curbside along Newport. Check out this antique Ford truck. What year is it?
Plus, there’s always something going on to send the tourists a-tweeter.
Other News Around OB
CJ Catering Has Opened on Voltaire
CJ Catering, formerly up Voltaire in Point Loma, has moved into the former vegan bakery on lower Voltaire, Stephanie’s. Reportedly, they’re pushing their quiches. And we’ve heard they attend 3 different farmers markets around town, including, of course, OB’s Wednesday enterprise on Newport.
Sunset Plaza Rumors
There’s some rumors swirling around the Sunset Plaza coming in at the corner of Voltaire and Sunset Cliffs. We heard that the vegetarian restaurant Evolution may be opening at the location. And we’re in the process of tracking this rumor down. BTW, not much has gone on at the site over the last month, just some trenching.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Good report Frank, Thanks! I’m stuck in my shop & don’t get out enough. You filled me in! By the way, the big antique shop directly across the street from Culture Brewing (it used to be the Sherman-Williams paint store) has sold & will be divided into two locations. The one that has already spoken for will be a wine bar where the wine will be made at the same location. Rumor has it that the other location will be an antique shop. Cheers!
Hey Frank Gormlie, my group and I are responsible for the anti aggressive panhandling poster in the windows of the Ocean Beach Businesses, I just have to say you got our group name wrong, we are
Neighborhood Crime Watch Ocean Beach.
our group is fairly new but me being the admin of the FB page I have to look out for our group name. Our group is only 77 members strong and we are making a difference, the members in my group consist of other Admins from crime watch groups as well as business owners, we are a secret group on FB and don’t share information outside of the group for good reason. We operate under the Batman concept! People know we are out there and yet don’t know who we are!
I am asking that you please fix the name of our group in your article from
OB Neighborhood Crime Watch, to our actual group name of Neighborhood Crime Watch Ocean Beach.
Thank You,
-Wayne Fleming
Done. Thanks for the correction.
You’re not really that into anonymity if you you leave your name at the end of the comment.
Did you also make those stickers that were around OB a few years ago?
BB- The sticker was created by a Black employee..and sold at the Black. Whom by the way enjoyed record sales that week when the protest occurred.
The fact they are allowed to pollute OB with his assumptive, hateful, and fear-mongering poster is simply a sign of the times ie: uniting with the merchants to focus and paint their small-minded prejudice and hate with the broadest-possible lame brush they could manage. Small minded letter from small-minded people for similar-non thinkers. Pathetic.
The only thing small minded is allowing the same BS to happen over and over in OB in the name of a straw man argument
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