What makes a business more than just a storefront? In Downtown Long Beach, it’s culture, connection, and character. In this two-part series, we’re highlighting local businesses that have thrived for over a decade — places that have become touchstones of the community. From harbor cruises and heritage shops to elegant dining and cozy delis, these beloved establishments help shape the rhythm, flavor, and personality of Downtown. They’re more than businesses — they’re part of the whole city’s story.
For almost 25 years, Harbor Breeze Cruises has been helping folks discover the delights of Long Beach’s harbor and coastline. With the exception of a handful of severely stormy days, the company has never closed — even on Christmas! This is due to the dedication of the company’s founder and owner, Captain Danny Salas, who never takes for granted that on any given day he could be providing someone with the experience of a lifetime.
“I had a customer from Oklahoma who had only seen cornfields for her entire life,” said Salas. “She came to Long Beach, and for the first time she saw the ocean. She saw a whale, she saw dolphins, and she was crying. That’s only one of a million stories I have like that.”
Salas has the seafaring life in his blood. He started working on a sportfishing boat when he was 12 years old. “If the fish weren’t biting, our customers weren’t very happy,” he recalled. “As the pressure of fishing grew over the years, those bad days would be more and more common.”
One day in his 30s Salas asked himself what the future would hold. He was running some whale watch cruises out of San Pedro at the time, and he noticed that his cruise customers always seemed to leave satisfied. “No pressure, just enjoying the beauty, whether they saw a whale or just had a great boat ride,” he said. He decided that this would be his new business direction, and the City of Long Beach gave him a golden opportunity to make it happen.
Salas has built a state-of-the-art fleet and a business that Long Beach can rely on. He’s passing his knowledge to his son Christopher, who got his captain’s license at age 17. “My son has been with me on boats since he was in diapers,” said the Captain. “I used to sit him on the compass of our main harbor cruise ship and he’d be with me all day. At age eight he was wearing a hard hat, helping me build one of my boats. Today he’s the project manager for our new, emission-free vessel.”
“A rising tide lifts all boats,” Salas continued. “We’ve always believed that being part of Long Beach means giving back to it. We believe in lifting each other up. When Long Beach thrives, we all do. We’ll keep doing our part — not just on the water, but in our neighborhood — to help make this city the best it can be.”
For an eye-opening, mind-expanding cultural experience, Village Treasures is a must-visit. There isn’t another shop like this for miles around. Its inventory of masks, statues, jewelry, and many other items imported from Africa is absolutely stunning.
Village Treasures was established in 1997. Owner Max Viltz will take it from there: “I started my shop after traveling to Africa and experiencing the culture and history of my ancestral home. I became fascinated with the artifacts and other items that I began to amass for my personal collection. I decided to change directions in my corporate career and Village Treasures was born. My original shop was not in the Downtown area, but I soon realized that Downtown was the place to be.”
After several years in the East Village, Viltz moved her shop to its current location at 247 E Broadway. It’s easy to spot, just look for the life-sized zebra greeting people at the front door!
The earthy, authentic items for sale at Village Treasures blend well with any decor and also serve well as unique gifts. Viltz pointed out that she’s able to provide first-hand stories regarding the origin, meaning and use of each item.
“We love to connect with the community through non-profits and other organizations that support all the arts and culture that’s based in our diverse city,” said Viltz. “Hopefully, with renewed visibility for the unique, special inventory that Village Treasures offers, we will continue our legacy.”
Doing business for 35 years in the imposing neo-classical building at 1st and Pine that was built in 1906, L’Opera Ristorante is, literally and figuratively, a cornerstone of the Downtown community. It’s a proud fixture in the ever-changing landscape of the city, and has been acknowledged over the years with countless top industry awards for food, ambience and service, including the Award of Excellence for its wine list by Wine Spectator magazine.
“Our consistency has been a main staple of our longevity,” said owner Terry Antonelli. “The authentic Italian cuisine that includes pasta, bread and desserts freshly made in-house daily, along with our innovative, continuously-updated menus, are complemented by our impeccable service featuring a staff of 40 with an average tenure of 24 years.”
Executive Chef Walter Cotta weighed in: “A large component of why L’Opera thrives is because we are old school. We treat our guests and employees like family. My biggest challenge as Chef is also my greatest love, which is to continuously come up with new menu ideas, keeping the menus fresh and creative so they attract new guests and keep our regulars happy.”
L’Opera faced a disastrous year in 2020. Already dealing with the challenges of pandemic mandates, the restaurant was completely destroyed during the civil unrest that occurred in Downtown on May 31 of that year. “Those two simultaneous impacts closed L’Opera for approximately 15 months,” said Antonelli. “The good news is we rebuilt, we restored the restaurant, and now we look forward to another 35 years of being a thriving business and contributor to the Long Beach community.”
Orsa Modica opened her small, family-run deli in 1996 at the corner of Ocean Blvd. and Linden Ave. She has grown it into a full-service restaurant offering beer, wine, catering, and live jazz on weekends. “It has been amazing to witness the area transform, and to see us growing along with it,” she said.
People feel the heart in what her deli offers. “We have always focused on warmth, consistency, and great food,” said Modica. “Our staff treats everyone like family, and many of our customers have been coming here for decades. The vibe is relaxed yet thoughtful. We’re not trying to be trendy, we’re just authentic. I also believe that our combination of homemade food, good music, and our unbeatable patio with the ocean breeze keeps people coming back.”
The deli has been able to flow with the changes that have happened in Downtown over the decades. “Like many small businesses, we have had to adapt continually and work hard to stay afloat,” Modica said. “But we’re still here, thanks to an incredible team, loyal customers, and a lot of perseverance.”
Modica is active in the community, supporting local events, other small business owners, and advocating for more vibrant streets. “I believe in giving back to the city that has supported me throughout the years,” she said.