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The Loma Mar Store Story

The Loma Mar Store has been a historic Bay Area gathering place since about 1930. Over the years it has served as a gather place and supplier of goods for everyone from early settlers and logging crews to countercultural revolutionaries, rural residents and auto enthusiasts.

A Little History

Established in 1930, the Loma Mar Store has gone through several transformations and stewards over the years. 

Originally a lumber mill, then the Harrison Post Office, a general store was added to the west end of the building in the 1950s. In 2014, neighbors Jeff and Kate Haas purchased the store. After renovations, the store re-opened in August 2019 with an upgraded commercial kitchen, baking oven, espresso bar, outdoor decks, and more.

The renovations were truly a community effort from the local builder and his expert team of craftsmen, skilled neighbors, and support of the county. The building was redesigned by friend and San Francisco designer, Dan Lorimer, inspired by the work of architect Julia Morgan. The building features some of her techniques, such as the alternating colors of the ceiling boards, achieved by using goat milk wood stain from local Harley Farms.

Local materials and supplies were incorporated into the new structure as much as possible. The flooring of the old building was repurposed as the wainscoting for the new interior. The front, back, and west decks were built from old-growth redwood supplied by a neighbor. When a redwood tree was removed from the side of the old store, another neighbor milled the lumber and it was used as the new non-structural ceiling — the next time you visit, take a look up!

Thank you to the following for their expertise and guidance. It was a labor of love from all involved:

  • Dan Lorimer - Designer

  • Jason Skinner & Bay Area Custom Home - Contractor

  • Steve Garrels - Lead Craftsman

  • Arty, Manny, Jorge - Local Craftsmen

  • Chris Conner - Local Contractor, Volunteer Firefighter & Neighbor

  • Charles Sawyer - Local Wood Supplier & Neighbor

  • The San Mateo County Building Department

  • Don Horsley - Supervisor, San Mateo County's Third District

  • 1890s

    When Loma Mar was known as Harrison, approx. 1889-1919. This building may have been incorporated into the structure of the original store.

  • 1970s

    This was Roger's era — he was the postmaster and lived next door. During his ownership, there was a dinner club in the store called the Blue Eyed Goose.

  • 2000s

    When Beth was running the place. This was the building before renovation began. Remember pay phones?

  • 2014

    Current owners purchased the store and renovations began.

  • 2019

    The newly renovated store re-opened in August. The year that followed was full of challenges: unprecedented wildfires and a global pandemic.

  • Today

    Homestyle food, groceries, and live music in the redwoods.