Bakery, florist open in Cambria; San Simeon Pines gets new name
One entrepreneur has started a new business in town, and another has made some major changes.
Handsome Bakes
Brianne Arrastia initially launched her Handsome Bakes enterprise supplying wholesale accounts, such as Cambria Coffee and Soto’s True Earth Market. When that business started to take off, she realized she’d have to move out of her cottage business at home and find a commercial location.
Recently she opened in the little shop on the upper floor of the building across from Cookie Crock Market. Handsome Bakes is at 1235 Knollwood Circle, Suite 202, above the community gym, but the shop is accessed most easily from the upper parking area behind the building.
Once potential retail customers began peering in the windows, or coming in to ask if there were products they could buy, Arrastia realized it was time to branch out.
For now, she sells to the public during what she calls her “baby step hours,” from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. But like everything else in the new business, that schedule is subject to expansion or change in the future.
“I’m listening to my customers to see what they want,” she said.
Her product line, too, is flexing its muscles.
Her cookies and scones are a big hit, according to comments made on social media.
“One of my most popular products is a vegan breakfast cookie,” she said of the goodie that’s packed with coconut, black sesame seeds, dates, coconut oil and other good things. Arrastia also makes a gluten-free brownie, and “I’m working on my cinnamon roll” and various other products, based on requests from her customers.
One wistful question she gets often is about doughnuts, which is logical since a previous business in the location sold those treats. She hasn’t decided yet about that.
“I don’t want to sink the ship before it sails,” she said with a laugh.
But she’s hired a couple of helpers, so time will tell.
For details, email Arrastia at brianne@handsomebakes.com, look for Handsome Bakes on Facebook or Instagram, or call 805-395-7055. But you may need to leave a message: Answering the phone with dough-coated hands can be awkward.
Oceanpoint Ranch
Pacifica Hotels has launched its new Oceanpoint Ranch, after completion of the first phase of a $4 million renovation at the Moonstone Beach Drive resort formerly known as San Simeon Pines.
According to information released recently to media, Pacifica has introduced the Ranch’s first 27 fully remodeled guest rooms with a modern ranch-chic motif and such amenities as fireplaces, 50-inch high-definition televisions, mini refrigerators and high-speed WiFi. The remodeled rooms offer king or two queen beds.
The 61-room resort opened in 1959 on 9 ocean-view acres with direct access to the beach. It has a solar-heated pool, outdoor fire pits and an assortment of games, including shuffleboard, cornhole, croquet and faux cow roping. For details, call 805-927-4648.
Future plans at 7200 Moonstone Beach Drive include a grab-and-go restaurant, landscaping upgrades and more. 805-927-4648
Pacific Hotels owns and operates six properties along Moonstone Beach, and a total of 34 hotels, most along the California coast. For details, go to www.pacificahotels.com.
This story was originally published November 9, 2016 at 10:35 AM with the headline "Bakery, florist open in Cambria; San Simeon Pines gets new name."