by Gwen O’Neill

Mark Sipowicz, owner of Moon News, next to Charise McHugh and Main Street merchants. Photo courtesy of Terri Reece.

Bundled up against a cold breeze as commuters rushed by, downtown Half Moon Bay merchants held an awareness event at the corner of Main Street and Highway 92 on Dec. 5.

Terri Reece said, “We had a fabulous time letting commuters know that they should shop local, buy local. Twenty-eight shop owners, one city council member, and Charise McHugh — in their holiday finest and funniest — greeted the morning commute with ‘Happy holidays’ and ‘Deck the halls, forget the malls.’”

Reece also reminds us, “When you support a locally owned business, you give back to the community in which you live, learn and play. Three times as much money stays in our community when you shop in a local business rather than a chain. Your local businesses give freely to the community, sponsoring teams, giving to non-profits, and hosting events such as Nights of Light. When you shop locally, you don’t pay shipping costs, you get to talk to a friendly person who lives near you, and the money you spend stays here. Just as you invest to care for your home, spending locally helps you care for your community.”

Even though the biggest consumer season is over, we wanted to remind readers that wherever you live, there are retail shops and other local businesses that still need support from their local communities. There is a wealth of unique places to shop on the coast and in the rest of San Mateo County, and many one-of-a-kind items can be found. We asked some of our readers about the importance of shopping locally.

Yvonne Lorvan says: “Shopping at the Pacifica open air farmers market is not only a treat to the eye, but it is a treat to the pocketbook and to the support of local businesspeople. I grew up on a farm and know how precious the crop planting and harvesting are to the growers. A local market is the best way for them to get anywhere near fair payment for their hard work, and they have the satisfaction of hearing words of appreciation for their efforts.

Staff photo.

“I also shop at the Food Town Market in Eureka Square where the management goes out of its way to carry the nutritious food people ask for.” Lorvan also notes that the store’s prices are as low as management can afford to set them, and that the store supports our local schools.

Charise McHugh, chief executive, Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce & Visitors’ Bureau, says: “When you shop locally you support your neighbor, your child’s Little League sponsors, and your community. Your sales tax dollars pave your streets and build your parks. It is an ecosystem for your town. … We take many of those things for granted without knowing where they come from. The Chamber encourages all of the travel writers to visit our retailers, our harbor, and our Main Street. It is a big part of what makes the Coastside special. And, on a personal note, what a nice feeling it is to shop from someone you know!”

Staff photo.

Kellie Morlock says: “When deciding where to shop, I always start local for a few reasons. First, it’s closer — I can walk to the local organic farmer’s market and always see neighbors and friends, so I catch up on news and happenings as well. Second, the service is usually better locally than over the hill, especially at Ocean Shore Hardware, Napa Auto Parts, New Leaf Market and Half Moon Bay Wine and Cheese. Finally, the quality restaurants (Café Gibraltar, Sam’s), local color (Ketch Joanne and Café Classique) and world-class jazz (Cetrella’s) can’t be beat!”

Ocean Shore Hardware in Half Moon Bay. Staff photo.

Ken Myers says: “I like to shop locally for several reasons. At many of these places I’ve gotten to know the owners over the years and that is great. I enjoy meeting the farmers and getting to know them and their produce at the farmers market. I look forward to their wonderful produce as things come in season, and every year Erin seems to find some new specialty vendor with wonderful products.

“I also enjoy shopping at our local bookshops. If Kevin, owner of Bay Books, is in, it’s dangerous, as he makes a point of knowing each of his customers’ reading taste. So if he is in the store when I stop by to browse I end up with an armful of good books to read! He and the rest of the staff are real readers so they really can give good suggestions, unlike some of the major chain stores over the hill. I find that is also true for the other independent booksellers in town, who also contributed to my stack of good books to read.

“I also love to visit La Piazza to get the wonderful baked goods at Moonside Bakery and the wonderful cheeses and olives (and of course wine) at Half Moon Bay Wine and Cheese. I also like to support our local community. So if I can get something in town at a similar price to over the hill, they get the businesses. I’ve found that a significant percentage of the time our local merchants are quite competitive.”

And Debra Lenzi notes that she likes “having local businesses available that are much more convenient for my needs — like running into the health food store after the gym last night at 8:15 in Pacifica).”

I would like to challenge you, our readers, to spend a few weekends being tourists in your own back yards. I’ll bet you’ll find several shops or restaurants you have not visited lately. Create a list of ideas for that upcoming birthday or other special occasion and remember to return to that neighborhood store when the time comes; help keep those great shops in business. If we all take action we will preserve the unique character of the places where we live.