Chris O’Malley of Waterman’s and Dave Davis of Hermosa Brew Company with downtown Hermosa Beach business benefactor Peter Nolan. Photo
Throughout the pandemic, Hermosa Beach explored new ideas to help beloved businesses make it through the tough times, some of which changed the very look of the city.
In May, the council voted to expand the ability of businesses in town to take advantage of outdoor space on their property. Later, they would expand the ability of businesses to operate on public property.
Gyms and fitness studios were among those to take advantage. Closed at the beginning of the pandemic, then briefly allowed to resume indoor operations, Gov. Gavin Newsom once again closed gyms in early July as COVID cases began to soar again. Some, like Soho Yoga, a studio on Hermosa Avenue, began offering classes on the beach, just a block away. Others, like CrossFit South Bay on Fifth Street, made greater use of the outdoor space they already had.