Block by Block: Volume 4
I've come up with a plan, to visit every business in the shore and share my experiences. To put my plan in action I needed company and a writer, so I called my good friend Lisa Ramelow and said ... Let's Meet on 2nd Street!! Join Lisa and I as we explore Belmont Shore Block by Block!
- Heather Kern, Executive Director BSBA
Block By Block: Volume 4 - St. Joseph to Argonne - south
Written by Lisa Ramelow
A Legacy block
The Belmont Athletic Club - since 1980
Second Street Optique - since 1967
Luna - since 1993
Z-Fabrique - since 1992
Salon Indah owner Charlene - since 1987
Heather and I headed out to 2nd St. once again to conquer our next block in our “Block by Block” series – it was time for Block 4, the south side of the street, from St. Joseph to Argonne Ave.
Of course, we had to start with the Grande Dame of this block – The Belmont Athletic Club aka The Belmont.
Most people in the Shore know that the Belmont was previously a movie theater. It opened in 1929, and was owned by different movie chains over the years. It had a beautiful memorable marquee, and stunning mosaic tile out front, blending out to interface with the sidewalk.
It was wonderful to grow up with a movie theater right in your immediate neighborhood.
At one time, “Planet of the Apes” was playing there and I think I saw it 6 or 7 times when I was in High School in the 70’s. I couldn’t get enough of Charleston Heston and his memorable quotes: “Take your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape!” “My God. I'm back. You maniacs! You blew it up! Damn you!” OMG! Was that a great movie or what!!
So… the theater closed in 1977 and stayed empty a few years until 1980, when a man named John Doyle decided to turn it into a racquetball club. It became a huge success!
Over time, as racquetball faded in popularity, it was converted to more of a true gymnasium.
Now the Belmont is operated as an ESOP, which is an “employee stock ownership plan,” in essence, it is owned by the employees.
Heather signed us up for a morning yoga class, and I am fairly certain that it was obvious to the regular students that we were definite newbies. I was concerned before we even got there because the class was listed as “one hour and 15 minutes.” Aren’t fitness classes supposed to be 50 minutes or less?
We tried our hardest during the class: we bent this way and that. I began to glance at the clock beginning at about 5 minutes in; I estimate I checked it again at least 30-40 times. I just wanted it to be over with; I have nothing against anyone who loves gyms, they’re just not for me.
After yoga, we headed upstairs to Murphy’s Bar and Restaurant and met up with *Jeff Cozart, the principal stock holder, and Lorinda Drake, a long-time employee of the Belmont.
*Read our Meet our Members profile of Jeff and learn more about how he went from a raquet stretcher to principal partner.
Murphy's has a great patio with a view and a wall of champions of the Hall of Hops - Around the World in 70 Beers. Once you've had all 70 beers your name will go on a plaque on the wall. Some people have multiple plaques!
They also have weekly trivia on Wednesday nights.
We enjoyed lunch together, and believe me, not only do these two love what they do, but they seemed to know absolutely everyone in the community. No matter who I mentioned, they not only recognized their name, but offered some anecdotal facts about that person.
Besides the wonderful and informative conversation, my BLT at Murphy’s was excellent!
Heather and I said goodbye, and on we went.
From there, we went into Luna and chatted with owner Harold Sturgeon.
Luna just celebrated 30 years in the Shore in October.
Stop in and wish them a Happy Anniversary!
Harold told us about the evolution of the store, how they came to carry certain items, and of their annual display of Christmas ornaments that take up every inch of the shop’s window space, beginning right after Halloween. Their best-selling items are these colorful specialty glasses that come in many shapes and sizes, but they have gifts for absolutely anyone, and everyone.
Luna is very thoughtfully curated by Harold and is a MUST VISIT for gift shopping - for others and yourself!
Close by was Second Street Optique. The owner, Marcus Schain, buzzed us in, greeted us, and then began telling us all about his shop. It used to be located a couple blocks west on the street, but moved to this location 2 years ago because it was smaller and more intimate. He explained they carry only hand-crafted luxury glasses, and he let us try on many pairs of glasses and was so very accommodating.
Heather mentioned that she missed the window displays in the previous location, and he explained they had been done all those years by a friend who was a professional window dresser.
The boutique, Shara, was next up on our block exploration. Upon walking in, it felt like the absolutely perfect store for anyone in their 20’s. Tons of cute clothes, jewelry, and other accessories. Lots of “cropped things,” super-high-waisted pants, etc. Every current trend could be found in this store. Many of the dresses were just beautiful; Heather kept wanting me to try on this gorgeous milk-chocolate satin, one-shoulder gown, but I was not up the challenge!
I‘m just not a ”one-shoulder-dress” type of girl. But it was stunning.
(Sidenote: I did try on the black leather mini-shorts/hot pants in Block 3 however – go figure).
Heather asked about their best-selling item (as she does in every restuarant/retail establishment we have visited). It’s always a great question!
The shop clerk said it was all of the items that had some reference to the Zodiac. They had all kinds of jewelry - necklaces, bracelets, and earrings - depicting all 12 signs of the zodiac.
Next door is Bit's N Pieces (Shara's stand along gift shop) which has only been open a few months – what a fun and fabulous store! We were told the hairclips were their number one seller, who knew???
I fell in love with the “California” stuffed animal – it was so sweet. Later on, when I returned home, I looked online to see if they have a stuffed animal for every one of the 50 states: they do, and are all so adorable! But for the California version though, just head to the Shara gift store.
We stopped in at “NUYU” which carries “organic CBD goodness.” I asked why they didn’t need guards out front like other types of these stores. He explained that their products do not have any THC, they are strictly CBD, so they are drug-free and regulated differently.
He said many people purchase their products because they offer pain relief for many afflictions, from arthritis to those suffering from cancer and chemo-therapy side effects – they have a loyal following. I purchased a jar of the anti-anxiety gummies, and took one on the spot. An hour later, I felt absolutely no effect from it. But Heather had tried one also, and she later texted me asking if I had accidentally given her one of the “sleep” ones – she definitely felt the effect!
We ended our gym tour at Salud, juice bar connected to The Belmont. We enjoyed reading the names of the shots, such as the “4th and Cherry” and the “LB Greenbelt.” We opted to split the “Up the Anti” shot, which was loaded with turmeric and Cayenne. Wow, that was spicy!
But wait, there's more. The side streets are also filled with unique businesses. We headed over to the 2 small shops around the corner on Argonne Ave.
Z Fabrique is owned by a vivacious and interesting person, Nancy Scott. She went to college in Humboldt and graduated with a Forestry degree. She got a job in her field, but said she wasn’t thrilled working in a government capacity.
Over the years, her love of travel had resulted in quite a collection of souvenirs and interesting artifacts from all over the world:
instruments from Africa and other places, stones and crystals from several different countries, and various articles of clothing handmade from beautiful silks. Her friends often asked her if they could purchase an item in her collection, so in 1985, she opened her store on 4th St (retro row). She moved her business to 191 Argonne in 1992, and has been there ever since.
She had a steady stream of customers the entire time we were there. Her best-selling items are incense and crystals; in fact, she gave both me and Heather a special white crystal called a “Selenite.” She told us to put it at the entrance to our home, so that when we walk in, we will be reminded to leave all the outside problems at the door because our home is our sanctuary.
As we were leaving, she summed up by saying she feels so very blessed, and she has the best customers. And to remember that everything in life is an “exchange of energy.”
I would return to her shop just to hear her talk!
SIDE BAR by Heather Kern
Charlene Ferry, the owner of Salon Indah is a personal friend of mine. When we stopped into the Salon, a mutual personal friend, Chuck, happened to be in Charlene's chair. I call that serendipity. Running into people is one of the best things about Belmont Shore.
Charlene has been in this salon for 36 years. Starting out as a stylist she eventually bought the salon 23 years ago and rebranded it as Salon Indah - Indah meaning beautiful.
She explained to us that the salon is in what used to be 3 garages for the building. They provide services for hair, nails and make up.
Stop in ... maybe you'll run into a dear friend, or make a new one.
The day after our Yoga Flow class at The Belmont, Heather and I were both texting each other, “Do you feel as sore as I do???” That yoga workout stayed with both of us for about a week!
But the memories of this block, and all of our fun experiences, will last much longer than that.
Directory of the 4900 Block - South
4900 E. 2nd Street - Shara
4910 E. 2nd Street - Shara Bits and Pieces
4918 E. 2nd Street - Shore Strength Lab
4918 E. 2nd Street - The Belmont Athletic Club
4918 E. 2nd Street - Murphy's Pub At the Belmont
4918 E. 2nd Street - Salud Juice
4924 E. 2nd Street - Second Street Optique
4922 E. 2nd Street - Nuyu Wellness
4928 E. 2nd Street - Luna
ON ARGONNE AVE:
191 Argonne Ave - Z-Fabrique
189 Argonne Ave - Salon Indah