Scuttlebutt: Gun: Changes on the Coast

     Is this what they mean by a light at the end of the tunnel?  The vaccine.  The vast majority of us hope and think so.  Of course, there are those who fear the idea of vaccination; some for good reason, most just because conspiracy theories are more fun than real life.

    Some estimate as many as 100,000,000 Americans have already had the virus- counting both symptomatic and non-symptomatic cases, diagnosed and otherwise.  Add in the tens of millions to be vaccinated soon and you have a total that will quite quickly approach the 80-85% figure that we are told would amount to herd immunity.

     Obviously, I'm not an immunologist, so this is just something that I have put together from what I get from media (hopefully, factual media).  In any case there does seem to be some sunshine about to break over our Covid sequestered lives.

     What interests me is how the whole “build it back better” thing is going to affect our area.  As a nation we certainly will need to “build back” and some things are not going to be the same.  Hopefully, things will be better.

     Speaking of building, the South Coast is seeing a real estate uptick.  I don't know whether or not to call it a boom, but it is obvious that urban and even suburban residents are moving out and we are one of the destinations.  New arrivals will benefit the local economy. The days of showing up here with no money and trying to make it are long gone.  Anyone moving here now needs a bank account and an income.  Our new neighbors will surely be good for local businesses, including creating possibilities for new enterprises that our demographics just couldn't previously support.

     I site as one example the sale of The Record building in Point Arena.  This wonderful building has been sitting empty for a number of years and was recently purchased by a gentleman from Mendocino who has leased the building to four individuals, Peter and Julian Lopez, the father and son owners of Cafe Beaujolais in Mendocino and two brewers Peter McDowell and partner, Rose Walterbach . 

     Peter and Julian had been looking at The Record building when Covid struck and their plans were sidelined.  Along came the Mendocino buyer who gave the foursome a 10-year lease.

     Peter and Rose worked as brewers in Portland before coming to Anderson Valley to work at the brewery there.  After visiting brewers in Europe and especially Belgium they knew they wanted to have their own small, family style brewery.  They had an eye on Point Arena when a mutual friend introduced them to Peter and Julian and the rest will someday be history.

     Another bright spot on the local scene is the emergence of a Japanese style restaurant.  It is currently operating on a limited basis in the old Disotelles building (some know it as the Pangaea building), but around Memorial Day owners David and Elyse Hopps will be moving to the newly created restaurant next to the Wildflower Motel,   They arrived here by way of Elk where they currently reside after being brought there from Hawaii when asked by Matt, the chef at Harbor House, to assist in opening that restaurant.   David was sous chef and Elyse was the pastry chef at the Michelin rated eatery, but David's real interest is Japanese style food, with which he became acquainted while staying in Japan.  

     Of course, Point Arena's favorite hang-out is Arena Cove.  In addition to the limited, but still functioning Point Arena Pizza, Cove Coffee will someday re-open, but the anchor business is the Chowder House upstairs.  Major renovations have taken place during the epidemic, most notably, the crumbling deck has been completely replaced and has a new seating arrangement.  A short bar all along the outside railing with low stools backed by taller tables and stools behind will once again provide the ideal spot to catch a sunset.  Numerous other upgrades include revamped bathrooms, handicap parking, a proper drainage system and a new paint job.  Tracy and John Dupont are hoping to re-open by May 1, when the Point Arena Lighthouse is also expected to welcome visitors.

     The merchants I have spoken to all agree that this summer should be a banner year for business, assuming all goes well with the Covid recovery.  Economists estimate that there is over one trillion dollars of pent-up recreational dollars waiting to be spent by a public frustrated by a year of stay-at-home orders.

     I don't believe that foreign travel is going to pick up very quickly, but leisure time spent in California should skyrocket.  On a recent nice day I happened to drive to Jenner and I saw more cars than I have ever seen along the coast in over 40 years.  The big new parking lot north of Jenner was full and I counted 29 cars parked along the road near the entrance.  Through the entire drive through Salt Point Park, cars were pulled off the road at every spot it was safe to do so.  The last parking place in the whole town of Jenner was in front of the port-a-potties.

     There is a long history of waves of people moving to the coast following societal disruptions.  Beginning with the post WWII period through to 70's “hippie” infusion, Rodney King riots, the Loma Prieta earthquake, and now with Covid, waves of new residents are arriving.  Not everyone will be happy with that.  Land prices will rise, further diminishing the hopes of any local who doesn't already have property.  Some locals will, of course, grumble about the newcomers as people generally resist change unless they created it.  

     And so it has been with every influx of new people.  If they truly belong here, they eventually adapt to the less frantic lifestyle we all aspire to. Others pack up and leave.  I figure it takes a year or two for new arrivals to psychically settle down and realize what this place is all about.  Let's give them a break and embrace those who appreciate our lifestyle.