As a group of 20-something males paused to inspect the construction at the now-vacant site of Bullfrogs, scanning the empty bar for familiar rows of pool tables, the surprise was visible on their faces.
The longtime pool hall “” and occasional set for the San Diego-based TV shows “Renegade” and “Silk Stalkings” “” had been an Ocean Beach staple since 1987, according to Ocean Beach Historical Society President Pat James. However, being a local favorite was not enough to keep the business going.
“I think price was a very important factor,” said John Gallagher of the former owner’s decision to sell.
Gallagher’s son Eugene bought the establishment at 5046 Newport Ave. and has plans to turn the site into an Irish bar. Bullfrogs celebrated its last day of business on New Year’s Eve.
Gallagher’s Pub, scheduled to open St. Patrick’s Day, will feature food, drink and an upscale element somewhat foreign to Newport Avenue.
Bullfrogs’ departure, while one of the more surprising, is not the only familiar storefront to shut its doors. The Peninsula Beacon’s most recent count totals nine businesses on or around Newport Avenue that have left the area or announced plans to do so since November 2006.
Bullfrogs joins Homer’s Antique Shop, Photoquick, Antiquin and a gift shop located next to Hodads on Newport as the recently closed. Meanwhile, The Retro and Paladin Video have definite plans to leave, and Theo’s Pizza is considering a move due to lease struggles. The currently closed Arizona Café, which shut down two months ago, will re-open under new ownership after renovations are completed.
Denny Knox, executive director of the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association, is quick to note that what appears to be an exodus is actually a cyclical changing of the guard, so-to-speak, which occurs every 10 years or so as industries adjust to changing markets, rents rise and the occasional venture fails.
“It’s really varied,” Knox said of the businesses’ reasons for closing. “This happens. It’s cyclical. This is a pretty big one, but we have a lot of new property owners.”
According to Knox, new property owners typically renegotiate leases when they take over a building, and the increased cost of staying put leads some business owners to seek alternate accommodations.

Knox said Paladin Video’s plans to move are likely a response to an unsatisfactory lease agreement, though this could not be confirmed by Paladin owner Candy Johnson. After repeated attempts to contact Johnson, a store clerk stated that she was unable to discuss the reasons behind the move.
Retirement can also be a factor, as evidenced by former Arizona Café owner Robert Radovich.
“He had been trying to sell for a few years,” said Pam Komo, general manager for the Sunshine Co. Saloon, whose owner bought the building that houses the Arizona as well as James Gang Graphics.
“That’s a happy story because a local property owner purchased that property,” Knox said. And while the change prompted Radovich to sell the Arizona, neighbor James Gang Graphics, Inc. settled on a lease renewal that will allow the print shop to remain in its location of more than 30 years.
Also closing are Homer’s Antiques and Antiquin, both antique shops on Newport Avenue. The former will shut down when its owner retires; the latter closed in December because its owner decided to change industries.
On the same 4900 block of Newport, vintage clothing and costume store The Retro has removed its quirky window displays and will likely reopen in Hillcrest. While The Retro is moving out of the area, the store’s Newport Avenue location lease has not ended.

“[The owner] may be doing something there “” we’re not sure,” said Knox.
The Retro’s owner could not be reached for comment.
Photoquick One-Hour Photo, formerly located on the corner of Niagara Street and Sunset Cliffs Boulevard, also closed its doors in December due to changing technology in camera and photo finishing. After 17 years developing film in Ocean Beach “” providing an independent, small business alternative to the Rite Aid across the street “” Photoquik owner Mitra Tehranchi packed up shop.
“She relied strictly on photo finishing,” said Paul Holz, owner of Point Loma Camera and Video. Tehranchi has been referring clients to Holz’ location, though it too will soon go out of business.
With the growth of digital photography, clients can now print pictures at home, making shops like Photoquik obsolete, Holz said.
The litter of empty storefronts that pepper Newport Avenue will likely be filled in the coming months, which begs the question: Will Ocean Beach invite more corporate chains into the heart of its business district? It was only a few years ago that Starbucks shoehorned its way onto the main drag, despite vehement opposition from residents who questioned the corporation’s affect on the community’s character. According to Knox, the Ocean Beach business district has always supported both larger corporate chain operations as well as small businesses.
“It’s a myth that we didn’t ever have chain stores. If you check our history out we’ve had lots of chain stores all along, they were just intermixed with mom and pops.
“People still talk about being supportive of small mom and pop stores, there are just less of them to go around,” Knox said. “There are less of them because there are less people willing to take that kind of chance.”
Despite speculation that the recent round of business closings hints at larger issues of unaffordable rents or the changing face of a business district, Knox is hopeful for the future of Newport Avenue.
“Honestly, this kind of thing happens and people can get caught up in being negative about it rather than sort of looking forward to what’s going to be new,” Knox said. “I hate to see that happen because Ocean Beach has been doing so well.”