“The Tin man already knows…” – The Corner Store antiques offers him for almost $600.
By Frank Gormlie
Every so often, the OB Rag publishes an update on what’s been happening on Newport Avenue, the main commercial street in Ocean Beach. What new businesses have opened up – and what places have closed down. The following is what we found, tripping down the Ave on Wednesday, November 16th.
Exterior of Velvet
New Velvet Hair Lounge
Barely 2 months since it’s been open, the Velvet Hair Lounge offers a bright, very clean-looking hair-cutting shop, sandwiched next to Stuff to Puff and the tire business on the corner of Newport and Cable Street.
Interior of Velvet
It’s owned by 2 sisters, Ashley and Anita, and will probably have a soft opening sometime in the coming weeks, said Charles, the hair-cutter on duty.
OBBeans still closed up
Not Much Happening at OBBean
Not too far away, the future OBBean store is still closed up, and no progress apparently can be seen from its outward front.
New acupuncture and massage storefront
New Acupuncture and Massage Place Soon to Open
On the bright side, there is a new acupuncture and massage storefront which looks about to open its doors, where the old videogame store was.
By appearances, the front room looks very done. This will be the first acupuncture and massage place on Newport Avenue in living memory.
Interior of new acupuncture place
Old Hookah Still Empty
Next door, the former Hookah place is still empty, giving a visible reminder that Newport can be a vicious place.
Rents are high and if people don’t come in, you’re toast. Hardly ever saw anyone in the old Hookah place; they pissed off their neighbors with loud music at night; then they applied for food and alcohol licenses, then they closed.
New Sign at Belching Beaver
The latest beer tasting room to open on Newport, Belching Beaver, finally has its stylized and primo sign attached to the front.
Good buds, but perhaps a little pricey.
Kilowatt Installing New Patio
Speaking of beer, Chris – one of the partners over at the future Kilowatt Brewery – was working on the raised patio that will greet folks walking by.
Patio coming in at Kilowatt Brewery
OB’s next new beer-tasting room is in the former motorcycle shop right on Cable next to the tire store (one store’s driveway is another store’s patio).
Chris said the patio will have a railing when completed, with disabled access. He said they finally got their permits and hopefully may be opening in about 2 months.
Owner of Apple Tree – in black shirt – with his tape measure out.
Real Progress at Apple Tree Market
There’s much to increase OBceans’ anticipation about the opening of Apple Tree Market on Newport. We’ve been watching the re-emergence of the long-promised fresh food store for years. It’s not nearly completed, but – yes, there is some progress – as one can now almost imagine a food market inside.
Inside the next Apple Tree
And there was the owner outside , directing workers with his tape measure.
Ever since its closure in the former site – where CVS is – this downtown of OB has lacked serious fresh food, and anyone who lives in the area, must drive either to People’s, or Baron’s or Stump’s or the other stores miles away.
The Joint Makes Adjustments
Apparently, the Joint restaurant, has finalized the adjustments in the metal railing it installed a while ago.
New curves for the palm tree.
Due to complaints about encroachments and insufficient space for disabled access from OBceans (and publicized here at OB Rag), the city stepped in and forced the popular eatery to move the railing in 2 spots – next to the palm tree on Cable – and out in front.
White spots were the former holes for metal railing.
Always the Sight on Farmers Market Days
Traffic control and parking scofflaws are always issues on Newport on Farmers Market Days. This day was no different. Do they still charge $300 to get your car out of hock?
The parking game every Wed. afternoon
Stairs for surfboards
New Stairs at the Hostel
Newport’s charming hostel – always one of the brightest and most colorful buildings on the Ave – has installed new stairs, that lead up into a surfboard storage area for guests.
We’re happy that the new owners kept the exterior artwork – at our urging – and have maintained its beautiful hippie look.
OB’s hippie hostel
New Electric Stalls
The electric stalls have been set up in the Lifeguard parking lot.
New electric charging stations.
Long May It Wave … What?
Anyone notice that Old Glory is gone – down at the foot of Newport? Yeah, the American flag and flagpole have vanished. Vandals? Travelers? Neo-Nazis? Old hippie anti-war activists?
Old Glory is missing
Nah, according to one our lifeguards, the City took it down when it was discovered the pole had deteriorated to the point where it could collapse. It will come back, she promised, just don’t know when.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thumbs up on the railing moving at the Joint, and progress at Appletree.
As for yet another tasting room opening, good grief is all I can say.
You are forgetting to mention the progress made at Voltaire Beach House!