CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

CdM Today’s Reader Comment of the Week

Corona del Mar Today’s Reader Comment of the Week this week came from Jamie, who wrote in response to a story about the possible closure of the Toy Boat Toy Boat Toy Boat shop on East Coast Highway.

Jamie wrote, “That’s sad. While it’s been many years since I bought a toy (sad face) I remember Toy Boat as a child when it was next to the hardware store. The problem is the demographics of both the area and of retail in general have changed. When I was a kid CdM was full of children and Toy Boat or Christensen’s Pharmacy (where Gina’s and the bank is now ) were the only games in town. Now many families have been priced out of CdM. It’s hard for stores like this to compete with the big box discount chains. And few small businesses can survive long term unless they own their building free and clear. That monthly rent nut is just too hard to crack when business slows. As an aside on the walk down memory lane if anyone cares, my second job was at the old donut shop where Gina’s is now. I was 13 years old and used to get up at 4 am to make the donuts and have them all warm and ready when the local coffee crowd would start showing up about 5:30 am. Before that, when I was 11 or 12, I washed dishes at the sandwich shop where Gary’s is now. I made .35 cents an hour. LOL Well I guess the loss of Toy Boat will make room for another rug shop or over priced furniture store.”

We love stories about old Corona del Mar — please leave comments with your memories as often as you want.

To read the original story and comments, click here.