Franco Carruba has bought Shoreline Station, Cunha’s Country Store, and San Benito House. And he’s making folks in Half Moon a little nervous, reports Julia Scott in the County Times. Carruba moved here six months ago from Palo alto.
Carrubba, 59, a native of Syracuse, Sicily, laughs at his reputation as an international Man of Mystery. Few people know that he bought a home in Half Moon Bay six months ago that he and his family took residence in after leaving Palo Alto. Rather than tear anything down, Carrubba intends to preserve the buildings that house Cunha’s and the San Benito House and expand their business the best way he knows how — by adding an Italian touch.
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Carrubba made good on his vision right away. He kept all 35 employees at Cunha’s and added four more to help manage business on the second floor, half of which he turned into a wine cave stocked with rare Italian vintages. Italian frescoes adorn the walls, some so fresh they still say “wet paint.”
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Few people took note when Carrubba — who owns Caffe Riace, an Italian restaurant in Palo Alto — bought Shoreline Station plaza on Highway 1 more than two years ago at a time when it had crumbling sidewalks, peeling paint and a 30 percent occupancy rate. Now every space is leased. Carrubba’s own Riace Wine Tasting & Deli opened there this fall, serving gelato, pannini, imported Italian cheese, pasta and wine.
