San Luis Obispo County, nestled between the bustling cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco, is an often-overlooked treasure known as SLO CAL. With 80 miles of pristine beaches and picturesque vineyard-covered hills, this hidden gem is a haven for sustainable business activities. Small business owners in SLO CAL have embraced the art of regeneration, upcycling discarded items into valuable treasures. Discover the essence of this region and how businesses are thriving with a sustainable focus.
Exploring SLO CAL: A Hidden Gem
SLO CAL, short for San Luis Obispo County, is a picturesque destination tucked away between the bustling metropolises of Los Angeles and San Francisco. This coastal region boasts breathtaking landscapes with 80 miles of pristine beaches and rolling vineyard-covered hills. While it may not be as renowned as its neighboring cities, it’s a hub of creativity and sustainable entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs in SLO CAL are leading the way in using limited resources to create beauty and value through upcycling, demonstrating that sustainability can go hand in hand with profitability.
The Pacific Motel: Where History Meets Sustainability
In SLO CAL, even the word “motel” has a unique history. It was coined in San Luis Obispo back in 1925 when architect Arthur Heineman designed the Milestone Mo-Tel Inn for the growing number of travelers on the road. While motels have become iconic along highways in the United States, many have lost their charm and fallen into disrepair over time. However, for Ryan and Marisa Fortini, the potential for transformation lay within the aging motels of Cayucos, a quaint beach town with just 2,200 residents.
The Fortinis embarked on a two-year journey to revamp the old Dolphin Inn, originally built in the 1920s. The result, the Pacific Motel, seamlessly blends the charm of the original beach bungalows with a modern twist. The Fortinis undertook a complete transformation, replacing unsightly asphalt and gravel with palm trees and succulents. Inside, the rooms were stripped down, reimagined, and redesigned, exuding a clean, boho beach chic aesthetic. Beyond the room renovations, the Fortinis repurposed a 1966 Chevy PT step van into a vintage food truck that serves guests beverages and snacks. To add an extra touch of nostalgia, they offer vintage cruisers for guests to explore the beach and town. The Pacific Motel, located at 399 S Ocean Ave, Cayucos, CA, stands as a testament to the marriage of history and sustainability.
The Shell Shop: Preserving Treasures from the Sea
The Shell Shop is a Morro Bay institution, where the art of selling seashells has been perfected since 1955. The story begins with David Thomas, the store’s owner, who, at the tender age of 11, started selling Abalone shells from a simple shell stand in his hometown of Morro Bay. His entrepreneurial spirit didn’t go unnoticed, and soon his father opened a brick-and-mortar shell shop, which now stands as an iconic local landmark.
The Shell Shop proudly carries a diverse array of shells, both local and international. Shells from 22 different countries worldwide, including East Africa, India, Vietnam, and the Philippines, grace the shelves. In some parts of the world, these shells are carelessly discarded. However, Thomas and his family have forged partnerships with their international suppliers to preserve these aquatic treasures. Shells at The Shell Shop range from a mere 15 cents to an impressive $15. Collectors can even find rare specimens fetching prices as high as $12,000. The Shell Shop, located at 590 Embarcadero, Morro Bay, is a testament to preserving the beauty of our oceans.
Maven Leather and Design: Artistry from Rescued Hides
In 2020, artist Emma Thieme made her way to SLO CAL after spending years crafting custom leather motorcycle seats in the Maine wilderness. In Cayucos, she opened Maven Leather and Design, a studio and storefront where she creates unique leather goods from “rescued hides” sourced from American Bison. These hides would typically go to waste, but Thieme is on a mission to breathe new life into them, crafting exquisite bags, belts, and plant swings. Her commitment to sustainability extends to the use of natural dyes derived from plants and insects. Thieme’s work reflects her deep connection to the environment and a dedication to protecting it for future generations.
Many of the vibrant colors in her work are the result of her own natural dye experiments, utilizing pigments from plants and insects that have been used by humans for millennia. Maven Leather and Design, located at 146 N Ocean Ave, Cayucos, showcases the harmonious blend of artistry and eco-consciousness.
The Hidden Kitchen: A Culinary Haven with Sustainability at Its Core
The original Hidden Kitchen, nestled in the town of Cambria, was, as the name suggests, literally hidden in an alleyway behind a wooden fence covered in ivy. Owner Amanecer Eizner had a vision of serving waffles made from a blue corn strain that had been cultivated on the West Coast for centuries. Her upbringing in the Esalen Institute, a hub of new-age thinking, instilled in her a profound connection to community, healthy living, and sustainable traditions.
The restaurant takes sustainability to heart. It sources most of its food locally, minimizes plastic use, recycles water for onsite plants, and composts waste, which is then sent to a nearby farm. However, what truly sets The Hidden Kitchen apart is its menu. It offers gluten-free and organic food, featuring items like blue corn tacos and superfood smoothies that not only align with sustainable practices but also taste incredibly delicious.
In addition to the Cambria location, The Hidden Kitchen has a second outpost in Cayucos. Be sure to arrive early, as lines often wrap around the block. The Hidden Kitchen can be found at 2164 Center Street, Cambria, and 113 North Ocean Ave, Cayucos.
Conclusion: SLO CAL’s Sustainable Business Scene
SLO CAL, with its hidden charm and natural beauty, has become a thriving hub for sustainable businesses. Entrepreneurs in this region have embraced the principles of regeneration and upcycling, turning discarded items into valuable treasures. The stories of The Pacific Motel, The Shell Shop, Maven Leather and Design, and The Hidden Kitchen exemplify the fusion of history, art, and eco-consciousness that defines the small business scene in SLO CAL. These entrepreneurs prove that sustainability can coexist with profitability, creating a model for businesses everywhere to follow. Whether you’re a local or a tourist exploring SLO CAL, these sustainable businesses offer a glimpse into a brighter, more sustainable future.
