“To MarlysVasterling, Balboa Island’s mixture of old and new, quaint and modern, makes it a special place, even though an old gas station, bank, pharmacy, hardware store and, most recently, a market that had been in the same location for around 80 years are gone.
So, too, are many of the island’s original beach cottages — replaced by bigger houses.
“Yes, the island is changing, no question about it,” said Vasterling, a real estate broker who grew up on Balboa Island and is continuing Vance Realty Group, the business her late mother, Lora Vance, established 45 years ago.
But the island remains one of the most desirable places to live, she said….”
Source: https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/tn-dpt-me-balboa-island-changes-20190315-story.html