Downtown Hermosa Beach is known for it’s relaxed environment, filled with wandering tourists and locals looking for a nice walk on the pier or a great time near the water. Pier plaza, the heart of the small city, is known for its historic bars and variety of restaurants, one being The Mermaid. This bar was opened in the 1960s and has been a consistent part of Hermosa’s beach culture ever since.

However, there has been recent discussion about The Mermaid being torn down in order to build a hotel. People have raised complaints about this possible replacement, arguing that The Mermaid is an important part of the beach lifestyle Hermosa provides for its residents. My concern with this is that while details of the hotel’s establishment have not been released, the city is still planning on going through with a construction project that will ultimately reduce the good vibes that exist. Who wants to go to the beach and have to listen to machinery? While the hotel is predicted to generate a lot of income for the city, the short term benefits are limited. Construction will begin in approximately 4 to 5 years, and in the meantime, The Mermaid has decided to move in their restaurant branch, Killer Shrimp, into where Cantina Real used to be. While Killer Shrimp’s time on the pier may be short lived, it will hopefully provide visitors with an even more enhanced dining experience.

This whole situation really shows the difference in what certain people value in our city; the comparison of money and revenue versus overall experience gained from the environment. There is room for optimism, however, and maybe the new hotel will prove to be an excellent addition to Hermosa Beach.