What new businesses opened in SLO County last month? See the buzziest additions

If you’ve been wondering what’s popped up around the county lately, April was a busy month.

From a butcher-brewery hybrid in Paso Robles to a glow-up at one of Atascadero’s most beloved historic hotels, here’s your scannable, chronological cheat sheet of everything The Tribune covered — with the coming-soon spots saved for last.

Now open

Primal House — Paso Robles

Owner Alyssa Leal calls it a place to “live out their barbecue dreams,” and honestly? Yes. Primal House is a butcher shop, market, restaurant and in-house brewery all under one roof at 3330 Ramada Drive. Wander through the cutroom, pick a steak from the case and have the chef cook it for you. Ten rotating taps. Prices from $14 (scotch egg) to $57 (filet mignon). Open Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday to Saturday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Paso Terra Bistro — Paso Robles

Longtime manager Jennifer Loewen Nicolds bought the old Paso Terra Seafood, slipped “Bistro” into the name and reopened at 1032 Pine St. on July 13, 2025, with a broader, more family-friendly menu. Burgers, empanadas, chipotle meatloaf and the fan-favorite shrimp linguini live side by side. Daily happy hour is from 4:30-6 p.m. Open Wednesday through Saturday, 4:30-9 p.m., with lunch coming soon.

Coastal Pit Stop — Atascadero

A retro Googie-style fill-up just opened at 1860 El Camino Real, between Home2 Suites and Taco Bell. It features twelve pumps (six diesel), a car wash and an indoor mini-market. Acting manager Harneet Cheema hopes vintage car clubs adopt it as a meet-up. “We’re kind of just getting all the kinks straightened out before we have, like, a proper grand opening,” he said.

Anderson Barber Shop — San Luis Obispo

A century-old downtown staple is back home. After a three-year detour to Dana Street, owner Ray Shearer reopened at the original 953 Monterey St. spot on March 31. The iconic red, white and blue pole is on its way back. “I just wanted in. We’ll worry about the details later,” Shearer said. Open Tuesday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

The Anderson Paso — Paso Robles

A new restaurant, bar and event space opened at the former Eagle Castle Winery and Tooth and Nail Winery site. The fortress-style property features a water-filled moat and fake alligators. Inside the Anderson, the bar serves craft cocktails, beer and rotating wines from Fortress Custom Crush, offering tastings from brands as far south as Ventura and as far north as San Benito County. Chef Logan Ring’s menu fuses Caribbean, Korean and southeastern American flavors, with dishes like shrimp and grits with chorizo and a pork porterhouse with gochujang glaze. The restaurant is open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Monday, with final seating at 8:30 p.m.

The Carlton Hotel — Atascadero

The nearly century-old Carlton has reopened after sweeping renovations and joining the Marriott Tribute Portfolio. Think lavender, green and honey color palette, floral murals, a new full-ceiling sunroof above the grand staircase and 63 remodeled rooms with original wood-carved headboards. “We didn’t just want to reopen the Carlton. We wanted to re-imagine it,” co-owner Kamal Patel said. The on-site restaurant Mabel — run by the team behind The Hatch Rotisserie & Bar in Paso Robles — will open soon. Rooms run roughly from $146 to $455.

Rodeo Bar — Paso Robles

The 70-year-old dive at 622 12th St. just got a full liquor license after decades of beer and wine only. Co-owners Taryn Caraveo and Daniel Cardinale said cocktails featuring local distilleries were coming within 30 days. Local taco trucks still park out front for free. It features a juke box, pool tables, cornhole and dartboards. Open daily 2 p.m.-2 a.m. “It’s important to us that we stay true to the business that we bought and believe in,” Cardinale said.

Fieldwork — Atascadero

Founded by artists Arthur and Allie Mount, the community studio relocated to downtown Atascadero in March after operating at a less trafficked El Camino Real location. Fieldwork hosts figure drawing, stone-setting, silver ring fabrication, writing and block-printing workshops, plus an open-studio art club on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Workshops range from free to $140. The Mounts plan to host live music and possibly a ping-pong tournament.

Shop Little Cousins — Atascadero

Sisters Jen Halmo and Katie Rosevear moved their kids shop to a prime downtown spot at 6425 El Camino Real in late 2025. Expect curated kids clothing, books, swim gear, gifts and those coveted Danish-style Maileg mice (Rosevear had to apply to carry them). Brands include Mayoral, Angel Dear and Makemake Organics. Open Wednesday-Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday-Tuesday, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Specs by Kyla — Atascadero

Optician Kyla Skinner just moved her eyewear boutique to 5915 El Camino Real, across from the Carlton. It features independent, often sustainably made frames only — no Ray-Bans here. “I love helping people express their personality through their eyewear,” Skinner said. Open Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday from noon-5 p.m. Walk-ins welcome; bring your prescription.

Gorjana — San Luis Obispo

The Laguna Beach jewelry brand opened its first SLO County store on April 20 at 949 Higuera St., in the former Bluemercury spot. It sells 14k gold and diamond pieces, plus trendier finds under $50. Open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Coast Fitness Club — Cambria

Formerly Gym One, the 8,000-square-foot facility at 1266 Tamson Drive has new owners — the Favila family closed escrow April 1. Pablo Favila Jr. is keeping all staff and classes (cycling and yoga are most popular) while planning saunas, dressing rooms, new strength machines and more senior-friendly options. Memberships are $59/month, $53 for seniors and students, with 24/7 key access. An open house grand opening is scheduled for noon-4 p.m. on Sunday, May 17.

Shiahma Recording Studio — between SLO and Avila Beach

Tucked into a barn on a lavender farm, the studio is the joint vision of farm owner Finney Smith and musician Hunter Nakazono, who met by chance at a Santa Monica blues club. They converted a “beat-up old barn” into a full industry-standard space, hosting their first session in winter 2023. It now houses Nakazono’s label, Heavy Crush Records, and partners with the Infinite Music nonprofit’s “Rising Stars” program — about 15 students helped in three years.

Courtyard by Marriott — San Luis Obispo

After a $6 million renovation, Courtyard by Marriott San Luis Obispo at 1605 Calle Joaquin has fully reopened with updated rooms, lobby, pool area and a new bistro.

“We went above and beyond because we felt like it was just a much better brand experience than just going with the bare minimum,” owner Dilraj Bhadare told The Tribune.

Coming soon

Westerly Shell Beach — Pismo Beach

The new restaurant and bar is moving into the old Spyglass Inn Restaurant space at 2703 Spyglass Drive after six-plus weeks of renovations brought Cali-coastal cuisine, cocktails, ocean views and a new wallpapered ceiling. It is set to open this spring, possibly later in April.

Uma’s — San Luis Obispo

The New York-based Eurasian chain is bringing its first West Coast location to 698 Higuera St. (the former Burger Village corner) in May. Expect bichaki, scallion pancakes, Korean carrot salad, borscht, kebabs and dumplings, inspired by the Silk Road.

Walgreens — Morro Bay

Walgreens is moving into the former Rite Aid at 740 Quintana Road. The chain was hiring for nine positions, including a store manager and pharmacy manager. It would be the company’s second SLO County location.

Pacific Point Resort — Pismo Beach

The Pismo Lighthouse Suites and Shore Cliff Hotel are merging into one 12-acre, 170-room oceanfront resort opening this July. Per Peregrine Hospitality, it’ll be the largest hotel property in Pismo Beach, with two pools, a sweeping sun deck, an interactive “wine wall” featuring eight SLO County vintages and a “Whale Watch Dispatch” texting real-time marine sightings.

Traffic Jam Vintage and Handmade Market — Atascadero

Not a business, but worth bookmarking: the pop-up returned in April with 27 vendors behind the shops on Traffic Way at Palma Avenue, featuring vintage clothes, candles, sea-glass goods, smashburgers, dirty sodas and live music. Its next market is scheduled for May 17.

This story was originally published May 5, 2026 at 9:00 AM.