Help-Wanted Signs Dominate On Coast Highway in Laguna Beach

LAGUNA BEACH, CA—While strolling through the fog looking for open galleries at last Thursday's Art Walk, Patch saw a proliferation of retail and food-service job postings. Signs declaring "Help Wanted" and "Now Hiring" were either typed or hand-written, then taped up in storefronts all along Coast Highway from Cleo to Mountain Street. Keep an eye on the ocean-side corners of Mountain and Coast Highway. Construction inside long-dormant storefronts promises more such jobs.

Bear Flag Fish Co. is coming soon on the south corner, where once the Boom Boom Room held sway. Also, a remodel of Coast Liquor Fine Wine & Spirits is underway at the north corner. The large liquor store has occupied the building designed by Chris Abel for decades. According to the colorful Dornin Investment Group temporary window coverings, a third Bear Coast Coffee location is also slated to open.

There's nothing on Bear Coast's website yet about hiring for the future Laguna spot, but here's what founder/owner Jeff Clinard says about seeking employees for his San Clemente and Dana Point locations:

"Most importantly, we hire locals who care about the people coming into the cafe. Our staff is hired based on their empathy, work ethic, and personality. And then we put them through thorough coffee training. Skill can be trained. Being awesome is innate. You have it, or you don't. We hire awesome people."

The following merchants, who had posted signs, are also looking for awesome people.

Retail

• Chakra Shack
• Blue-Eyed Girl
• Merrilee's Swimwear and Boutique

Food & Beverage

• The Laguna Coffee Company
• Wahoo's
• Poke Tiki
• Banzai Bowls
• Saigon Beach Vietnamese
• Adolfo's Mexican
• Jack In The Box

It's hard to imagine anyone who pays rent or a mortgage in Laguna Beach surviving on one of these opportunities. The merchants have had a challenging year and a half and are struggling to stay open during their regular hours.

These are signs of difficult times.

Are you a business looking to hire new employees? Or an employee eager to find work? Let us know about your search by emailing your Patch editor.