From supplying island homes to welcoming overnight guests, the Cassidy family’s businesses have become woven into everyday life in Avalon.
On an island where nearly everything arrives by boat, locally owned businesses often become much more than places to shop or stay the night. They become gathering places, trusted resources and familiar faces that help keep the community running year after year.
Few families embody that spirit more than the Cassidy family.
For decades, Mike and Cinde Cassidy have built a portfolio of businesses that serve both Catalina Island residents and the hundreds of thousands of visitors who arrive each year. Whether helping homeowners find the right tool at Chet’s Hardware, serving pizza to generations of families at Antonio’s Pizzeria, or recently welcoming overnight guests to Snug Harbor Inn, the Cassidys have quietly become part of the island’s everyday rhythm.
For Cinde Cassidy, those businesses represent far more than a livelihood.
“Owning businesses on Catalina Island has never been just about making a living — it’s been about being part of the fabric of this community,” she said. “Whether someone walks into Chet’s Hardware looking for the right part to fix a broken pipe, checks into Snug Harbor to celebrate a special occasion, or gathers around a table at Antonio’s with family and friends, we know we’re part of the moments that make island life unique.”
Their newest venture came on June 1, when the couple purchased Snug Harbor Inn, one of Avalon’s most recognizable boutique hotels. Located along Crescent Avenue overlooking Avalon Harbor, the six-room inn has earned a loyal following since opening in 1997, known for its Cape Cod-inspired architecture, personalized service and waterfront location.
In announcing the acquisition, the Cassidys said they have long admired the inn’s character and legacy and are committed to preserving the intimate atmosphere established by former owners Jerry Dunn and Kelly Rowsey while thoughtfully guiding the property into its next chapter.
The acquisition represents another chapter in a family story that has long been connected to Catalina.
Perhaps no business better illustrates that connection than Chet’s Hardware.
For island residents, Chet’s has never been simply a hardware store. It’s where homeowners find supplies for repairs that can’t wait for the next boat from the mainland, where contractors pick up materials for ongoing projects and where boaters often stop before heading back to their slips in search of marine supplies, rope, fasteners or emergency repair items.
Unlike mainland hardware stores, Chet’s has evolved to meet the unique needs of island life. Its inventory extends beyond tools and paint to include boating essentials, fishing gear, plumbing and electrical supplies, camping equipment, household necessities and seasonal items that help residents and visitors alike make the most of life on Catalina.
Because replacement parts and specialty items cannot always be delivered immediately, maintaining a well-stocked hardware store is an essential service for the island community. Over the years, Chet’s has earned a reputation as the place where residents know they can find what they need—or someone who knows how to help.
The Cassidy family’s commitment to serving Catalina extends well beyond hardware.
Antonio’s Pizzeria has welcomed hungry locals and visitors since 1977, becoming one of Avalon’s best-known restaurants and a longtime gathering place after a day on the water. The restaurant has become part of many Catalina traditions, with generations of families making it a regular stop during island vacations.
Together with Northwind Refrigeration, Catalina Business Services and several other family-operated companies, the Cassidy businesses touch nearly every corner of island life, supporting residents, local organizations and the tourism industry that serves as Catalina’s economic engine.
Despite the different roles each business plays, Cassidy said they all share the same guiding philosophy.
“While each business serves a different need, they all operate under the same philosophy: treat people the way we would want our own family to be treated,” she said. “We believe in honesty, hard work, exceptional customer service, and being present for our community.”
She added that success is measured by much more than financial performance.
“It’s measured by the relationships we build, the trust we earn, and the positive impact we have on the people we serve,” Cassidy said.
Now, with the addition of Snug Harbor Inn, the Cassidy family is welcoming visitors in an entirely new way.
The boutique inn offers six individually appointed guest rooms, each named after one of California’s Channel Islands. Amenities such as fireplaces, jetted tubs, complimentary breakfast delivered to each room and welcome wine and cheese have helped make it one of Avalon’s most sought-after accommodations.
Former owners Jerry Dunn and Kelly Rowsey spent nearly three decades building the inn’s reputation before transferring ownership earlier this year. In announcing the transition, they described Snug Harbor as a labor of love and expressed confidence that the Cassidy family would continue caring for the property with the same dedication that had defined it since its founding.
For the Cassidys, preserving that tradition while continuing to invest in the island is a natural extension of their longstanding commitment to Catalina.
Cassidy said one of the most rewarding aspects of operating businesses on the island is the opportunity to serve both longtime residents and first-time visitors.
“Every day is different,” she said. “We have the opportunity to serve lifelong residents who have supported our businesses for generations, while also welcoming first-time visitors who are discovering the magic of Catalina Island.”
She noted that island life comes with unique challenges, making locally owned businesses an important part of the community’s support system.
“Being able to provide essential services, create local jobs, and contribute to the community that has given so much to our family is something we consider both an honor and a responsibility,” Cassidy said.
Island communities depend on businesses that do more than provide goods and services. They rely on owners who understand the challenges of operating in a place where supplies arrive by ferry, relationships span generations and customer service often means helping a neighbor.
Through businesses that support residents, welcome visitors and contribute to Catalina’s tourism economy, the Cassidy family has spent decades doing exactly that. Whether checking into a harbor-view inn, picking up supplies for a weekend project or sharing a pizza after a day on the water, many Catalina memories have been shaped by businesses bearing the Cassidy name.
As Snug Harbor Inn begins its next chapter, it also becomes part of a family legacy that continues to help define everyday life on Catalina Island.
