What’s new in SLO County? These restaurants, stores and shops opened in 2020
The coronavirus pandemic and an economic downturn didn’t deter some locals from launching new businesses in 2020.
San Luis Obispo County welcomed everything from take-out restaurants and supermarkets to craft breweries and high-end hotels.
Here are some of the stores, eateries and other businesses that opened in 2020. (This list does not include businesses that moved to new locations.)
Restaurants and coffee shops
@Bites Fusion Cuisine Restaurant, San Luis Obispo
This Asian fusion restaurant held its soft opening in June. The restaurant, which specializes in “modern Vietnamese cuisine with Asian fusion touches,” is located at 195 N. Santa Rosa St. in the former location of Carl’s Jr. and Green Burrito.
Bear & The Wren, San Luis Obispo
Originally a catering company that operated a food truck, Bear & The Wren opened its first brick-and-mortar location in February in the former home of Spike’s Pub. The artisanal pizzeria is located at 570 Higuera St., No. 2, in the Creamery Marketplace.
Bumble B Soda Company, Morro Bay
Milkshakes, sundaes and old-fashioned soda fountain drinks are among the offerings at this ice cream shop, which opened at 859 Main St. in June.
Crazy Asian Express, Paso Robles
Located in the former home of Good Ol’ Burgers, this quick-service restaurant features Asian favorites including kung pao chicken, chow mein and egg rolls. The eatery opened at 1145 24th St. in November.
Dark Nectar Coffee Saloon, Morro Bay
Local coffeehouse chain Dark Nectar Coffee opened its third San Luis Obispo County location in May at 2940 Main St. in the former home of Buoy Tavern. The Morro Bay location joins Dark Nectar coffeehouses in Atascadero and Templeton.
Federico’s Mexican Food, San Luis Obispo
After establishing two locations in Hawaii, the Mexican restaurant chain opened its first mainland restaurant at 851 Higuera St. in September. In addition to burritos, tacos and tostadas, Federico’s Mexican Food has a deli where customers can buy fish from Hawaii at the counter.
Finney’s Crafthouse & Kitchen, San Luis Obispo
The gastropub opened its doors at 857 Monterey St. in the former Forden’s location in January. The Finney’s restaurant chain also has locations in Westlake Village, Santa Barbara and Ventura.
Giovanni’s Take-Out Express, Morro Bay
The owner of Giovanni’s Fish Market and Galley opened a new take-out business in July in the former location of The Coffee Pot, around the corner from his popular seafood restaurant. The two eateries are in opposite ends of the same building at 1001 Front St.
Grassy Bar Oyster Co., Morro Bay
Shellfish fans can buy freshly harvested oysters and clams at this retail spot at 1215 Embarcadero, Suite D.
Known for its organic, gluten-free blue corn waffles, Cambria eatery The Hidden Kitchen opened a second location at 113 N. Ocean Ave. in September.
Noise concerns nearly derailed the Oregon-based coffee chain’s plans bring a drive-through location to Atascadero. The Human Bean opened at 7835 El Camino Real in October.
The artisan ice cream maker, which crafts gelato and sorbetto in Paso Robles, opened its first brick-and-mortar scoop shop in the new Paso Market Walk at 1835 Spring St. in the summer.
The restaurant started serving up chicken wings, pizza and pasta at 1301 West Grand Ave. in April.
Fans of Templeton restaurant McPhee’s Grill have a new to-go spot for salads, sandwiches, pizzas and burgers. Owner Ian McPhee opened McPhee’s Canteen in October at 3030 Limestone Way in Tin City.
The fast-casual Chinese food chain moved into a spot previously occupied by Pizza Hut at 7055 El Camino Real.
Papa’s Thai Cafe, San Luis Obispo
The family-owned Thai food restaurant opened in January at 1308 Monterey St., the former home of Jaffa Cafe.
Sunsets at Pismo Beach, Pismo Beach
Here’s good news for fans of The Rib Line. Brian Appiano, who owns Rib Line barbecue restaurants in Grover Beach and San Luis Obispo, opened a food truck offering “authentic California cooking” in an Airstream trailer at Pismo Beach’s new Pier Plaza in November.
Tre Fiamme Pizzeria Trattoria, San Luis Obispo
The Italian restaurant opened in December at 1560 Los Osos Valley Road, Suite 190, in the commercial space vacated by Upper Crust Trattoria.
Here’s a look at other new eateries that opened last year:
High Tide, Morro Bay
Jerky Jerky, Pismo Beach
JoeBella Coffee Roasters, Paso Robles
Just Baked Cake Studio & Bakery, Paso Robles
Momotaro Ramen, Paso Robles
Morro Bay Butcher & Deli, Morro Bay
- Nogi Sushi Restaurant, Atascadero
- Oki Kohi Espresso, San Luis Obispo
- Roots on Railroad, Paso Robles
- Starbucks, Arroyo Grande
- Taco Bell, Atascadero
- The Third Degree Grill, Paso Robles
- The Vreamery, Paso Robles
- Wild Bread Co., Pismo Beach
Bars, breweries and wineries
The Backyard on Thirteenth, Paso Robles
The Backyard on Thirteenth opened in February near the intersection of 13th and Railroad streets. The beer garden features a spacious outdoor seating area next to Roots on Railroad, a walk-up restaurant serving up “gourmet street fare.”
The Buoy, Morro Bay
After closing its doors at 2490 Main St. in 2018, Morro Bay dive bar Buoy Tavern has bobbed up at a new location under a slightly different name. Owner Brian Rozario opened The Buoy at 850 Quintana Road in October.
Liquid Gravity Brewing Co., San Luis Obispo
Former Central Coast Brewing head brewer Brendan Gough launched his own brewery in January in the old Tap It Brewing Co. spot at 675 Clarion Way.
Oak and Otter Brewing Co., San Luis Obispo
The craft brewery opened in January at 181 Tank Farm Road, Suite 110, the former location of 7Sisters Brewing Co.
Santa Maria Brewing Co., Atascadero
The local brewery opened another San Luis Obispo County location in August at 7935 San Luis Ave. Although the original Santa Maria Brewing taproom in Nipomo remains open, a San Luis Obispo location has permanently closed.
The former home of The Rib Line barbecue restaurant is now home to a new wine and beer bar with a rotating pop-up kitchen. The Switch opened in August at 2256 Broad St., Suite 110.
- Colony Mash Brewing Co., Atascadero
- Hog Canyon Brewery, Paso Robles
- Paso Robles Wine Merchant, Paso Robles
Retail stores, shops and food markets
Avocados aren’t the only things for sale at this produce market at 2190 Main St. The Avocado Shack aims to sell fresh fruits and vegetables grown within a 40-mile radius of Morro Bay, including apples, berries, citrus and lettuce.
Jewelry, artwork and gifts are among the items for sale at this shop started by former I Love Rocks co-owner Christina Tobin. It’s located at 733 Main St. in Cambria’s West Village.
Buen Dia Design, San Luis Obispo
The shop, which specializes in photography prints, art, home goods and brand design services, opened in December at 1023 Broad St. in the space formerly occupied by Bambu Batu.
Caliwala Food Market & Deli, Santa Margarita
Owner Erin Inglish said she started Caliwala Food Market & Deli at 2200 El Camino Real to prevent Santa Margarita from becoming a food desert. The market, which held its grand opening in January, sells fresh produce, meats, cheeses, breads and beverages as well as grab-and-go items.
Gather Natural Market, Atascadero
This full-service organic market opened its doors at 4825 El Camino Real in February.
The discount-priced supermarket chain opened its fifth San Luis Obispo County location in the old Kmart shopping center in February. Grocery Outlet is located at 1574 W Branch St., Suite C.
Megan’s Organic Market SLO, San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo’s first recreational cannabis retail store opened in August at 280 Higuera St. in the former Drum Circuit building. The shop, which is open to customers ages 21 and up, offers marijuana products including edibles, drinks and flowers.
Outdoor Supply Hardware, Paso Robles
The hardware store chain opened its first San Luis Obispo County location in September, moving into the old Orchard Supply spot at 2005 Theatre Drive.
Morro Bay got its first recreational cannabis shop in October, when Perfect Union opened at 1000 Quintana Road in the former location of Megan’s Organic CBD Market. It’s part of a Sacramento-based marijuana business with six other dispensaries operating in Northern California.
Other retail shops that opened in 2020 include:
- Bloke clothing store, Atascadero
- Bounding Main gift shop, Cambria
- Sea + Green vintage store, Cambria
Hotels
Home2 Suites by Hilton, Atascadero
The hotel chain opened its first extended-stay location in San Luis Obispo County in June at 1800 El Camino Real, just off Highway 101.
Hotel Cerro opened in January at 1125 Garden St. The 65-room luxury hotel boasts the city’s only rooftop pool as well as an edible garden, a restaurant and a spa.
Other businesses
Looking for a styling experience that’s out of this world? This space-themed hair salon opened in June at 1071 Main St., in the same building as the Cambria Connection and Medusa’s Restaurant.
The business rents e-bikes to families, visitors and non-professional cyclists. Cambria Electric Bike Co., located at 2104 Main St., opened in October.
The popular fitness chain opened a 24-hour gym in March at 1576 W. Branch St., in what used to be the Kmart shopping center. Planet Fitness has another gym in San Luis Obispo County, located in Paso Robles, as well as Central Coast locations in Santa Maria and Lompoc.
The bike shop, which opened in October at 4056 Burton Drive, rents and sell higher-end, mid-drive Campagnola electric bikes. The shop caters primarily to experienced cyclists.
These businesses also opened in 2020:
- Gather | Urban Architecture, Paso Robles
- Pismo Beach Barber Shop
- Rosy Cove, Morro Bay
This story was originally published January 21, 2021 at 9:44 AM.
