When the call came, Miller took action. The newsstand is the third business she has owned in Laguna, starting with a chain of yogurt shops in the 1980s. After selling those shops, she opened Tight Assets on South Coast Highway, the retail clothing shop where Miller said fashion meets function.
A look back at 2006
The resurrection of the local newsstand is a bright spot at the end of a year in which a number of notable, long-term businesses closed up shop or changed ownership and operations. But other businesses came to town in their place.
Local folks and visitors lamented the closing of the newsstand, as well as the Jolly Roger, where many patrons of the newsstand breakfasted; Big Dog, and Hi-Tech Cleaners on Ocean Avenue — which is designated for resident-serving businesses.
Also late and lamented are Jamba Juice, like Big Dog, a chain; and Chapleau's on Laguna Canyon Road, which had served some of the best hamburgers in Laguna for more than 25 years.
But the business news was not all bad in 2006.
"Even though we had some closures, overall it was a good year for the business community," said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rose Hancock.
The iconic complex of dilapidated shacks at 1212 South Coast Highway, renamed the Old Pottery Place, reopened after months of reconstruction, bringing six new shops to town and the soon-to-open Sapphire restaurant and gourmet deli.
"I am hearing such wonderful comments everywhere about the shops," Planning Commissioner Anne Johnson said.
Tootsies' shoe store, the Chocolate Soldier candy shop, Riviera Homes' lifestyle and interior design center, Scout 3 clothing, Studio Arts gallery and Laguna Beach Books are all newcomers to Laguna's retail community.
And the reopening of Wahoos' Fish Tacos up the street added luster to the already vibrant mid-town commercial area.
"This is the kind of redevelopment we want to see in that area," Johnson said.
