Jupiter & Main, downtown Half Moon Bay’s newest retailer, recently opened its doors at 432-B Main Street. As many people are spending a lot more time at home on digital devices, local owners Kevin and Colleen Henney saw an opportunity to create an authentic place for people to escape their stresses and lighten their mood, while bringing positive energy and style to their personal space.
Harkening back to the bygone era of the old-school general store, the store encourages customers to slow down and relax as they peruse home goods, self-care products, quality barware, fashionable menswear, leather goods, and an extensive apothecary.
“We are thrilled to bring our favorite finds to Half Moon Bay,” says Colleen Henney. “We believe that simple, quality-made goods bring joy to life, and the use of them is truly an act of meditation. Simple is the new high-tech, slow is the new fast, and home is the new getaway.”
Upon entering the serene, well-designed 2,200-square-foot store, customers are greeted by calming smells from the National Parks’ wooden-wick soy candles and a mid-1800s apothecary stocked with beard & shaving items, skincare, haircare, and bath & body products.
A fully-equipped barware area provides everything needed to create a personalized home bar, including traditional and modern recipe books, plus many varieties of flasks. The inviting space features rustic but comfortable furnishings and the relaxed vibe invites patrons to linger, whether they’re browsing the Taylor Stitch menswear line, admiring the photography, or perusing the huge jewelry case that once graced the San Gregorio General Store.
Jupiter & Main focuses on brands that have proven longevity, such as Faribault Woolen Mill Co. that opened in Minnesota the year the Civil War ended, and provided blankets for soldiers in two world wars. There is an emphasis on supporting small makers, such as master glass maker, Greg Clark of DeCicio Artisan Glass in Seattle, Dehen 1920 in Portland, Julie Shenkman Jewelry in Half Moon Bay, and The Sneerwell flasks from Missouri.
Kevin Henney’s photography hangs on the walls of Jupiter & Main, showcasing the majesty of the Northern California Coastside. The couple started on Main Street last year with the Kevin Henney Gallery before adding a full and unique retail experience around the gallery to create Jupiter & Main.
While opening a new business in the midst of a pandemic was not without its challenges, it brought about exciting opportunities as well, including the unexpected vacancy of a prime location on Half Moon Bay’s historic Main Street. Wholesalers were very eager to accommodate the needs of a new business, leading to some unique experiences for the Henneys as they curated their product selection, such as enjoying a private tour of a local warehouse studio and a virtual personal shopping experience with a store owner.
“We hope people love our store as much as we do—it’s certainly been a labor of love during a challenging time in the world, and our goal is to bring a little spark of joy, even if it’s in a candle or a bar of amazing-smelling soap,” says Colleen Henney.
For more information about Jupiter & Main, visit jupiterandmain.com or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @jupiterandmain. For more information about the Kevin Henney Gallery, go to kevinhenney.gallery.