The following is a list of businesses that were new in Marin county in January 2020
EAT & DRINK
Marinites who love superfoods like hydrating acai and graviola (aka soursop) can find those and other wonders at Vitality Bowls in Mill Valley. Look for bowls and smoothies like The Hulk (powered by broccoli) and an organic coffee bar with pour-over coffee, kombucha and superfood drinks like a pitaya latte.
Known as the longest continuously operating saloon in the county, William Tell House in Tomales reopened after an extensive renovation. Sip a Black Betty cocktail in the bar area, then dine in the adjacent room on dishes like the Tomales Bay cioppino before heading upstairs to one of the inn’s three rooms to rest your weary head.
San Rafael’s beer shed grew again when Ryan Spencer opened Libation Taproom & Bottle Shop downtown earlier this year. It has 20 taps with a steady rotation of fresh-crafted brews and 150-plus bottles to drink on premises or at home.
SHOP
After 45 years in Mill Valley’s Strawberry Village, Rims & Goggles is expanding, adding a lab to the optical boutique and a design studio offering custom frames and its own frame line, GRO Eyewear.
The blankets, home goods and apparel that defined the Pendleton brand for its 156-year history are once again locally sold, this time at a new 1,770-square-foot store in the Corte Madera Town Center.
First established in San Francisco, George Lawson Gallery recently moved from Emeryville to downtown Mill Valley. A showcase for contemporary art, the Marin gallery opened with Multiverse, an exhibit exploring the theme of multiple universes, on view through October 13.
The longtime success of her Bon Air Shopping Center pop-up guided owner Jodi Shaw to find a permanent home for Flourish Succulents. Now at The Cove Shopping Center in Tiburon, this floral shop specializing in succulents, orchids and home decor also offers hand-tied fresh floral bouquets.
Founded on the idea that shopping for eyewear should be easy and fun, former internet-only company Warby Parker opened a store in the Corte Madera Town Center.
BEAUTY & WELLNESS
The formerly online-only beauty subscription service Beauty Heroes comes to downtown Novato, bringing a selection of health, wellness and beauty samples to its chill lounge.
Expert stretching in one-on-one and group class sessions at StretchLab are said to promote increased range of motion and proper alignment and posture. Mill Valley resident and owner Alex Burnham now offers this flexibility work in a Strawberry Village location.
Downtown San Rafael’s Essential Sleep Boutique moved a block west from its previous spot on Fourth Street, into a bigger space that has ample room to supplement its selection of natural and organic mattresses, adjustable bases and bedding.
Owner Jay Maya opened The Xclusive Club in downtown San Rafael earlier this summer with a haircut, steam facial and shave menu that goes far beyond hot towels and razors. Seventh to 12th graders alert: bring your 3.5-GPA-or-higher report card at semester’s end and get a free haircut.
Aiming to help people have and maintain successful relationships, Bertina Cannizzaro, M.S., opened Proactive Relationships in Mill Valley. She will offer premarital and relationship educational consultations, trainings, seminars and lectures to help clients build spiritual and emotional strength and minimize relationship conflict.
In downtown San Rafael, Leon Chen opened Marin Family Spa in June. Deep-tissue and Swedish massage and foot reflexology are available, and acupuncture will soon be too.
Though it has no storefront, Sausalito’s HellaID has brought the standard medical ID bracelet to a new level. Made of premium materials and laser engraved, the bands slide onto a watch, wearable wristband or necklace, ensuring your personal medical information is immediately accessible. Exclusively available at George stores (including Larkspur) and Sofia in Mill Valley.
EDUCATION
The Irene M. Hunt School in San Anselmo, serving K-12 students with behavioral and emotional challenges, now has two new classrooms to accommodate an additional 20 students.
Drawing on kids’ interest levels and tailoring the curriculum to each group, Angela Solberg Kay provides STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) learning for ages 18 months to 4 years at her new home day care program in Larkspur, TynkerTots.
WORK
Sally Newson’s Mind Tank HQ in downtown Ross offers seven month-to-month private office work-spaces, a living room with a coffee bar and stocked kitchenette, creekside garden with accessible Wi-Fi and, oh yeah, a conference room.
DESIGN
A move from Berkeley to Tiburon for Dawn Carlson meant bringing her business, MAS Design, to town. The interior design shop, run in partnership with Tiburon resident Carol Perry, features an approachable California-chic style.
Christina Mueller is a long-time Bay Area food writer. She hails from the East Coast and has spent way too much time in South America and Europe. She discovered her talent as a wordsmith in college and her love of all things epicurean in grad school. She has written for Condé Nast Contract Publishing, Sunset, and the Marin Independent Journal, among others. She volunteers with California State Parks and at her childrens’ schools, and supports the Marin Audubon Society, PEN America, and Planned Parenthood. When she is not drinking wine by a fire, she is known to spend time with her extended family.
