Monday, November 25, 2024

La Jolla Business Roundup: Technology-aided shopping, furniture, health and fitness and more

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La Jolla is welcoming several new businesses this month, and more are on the way.

Here’s a look.

Unscripted Spaces

Modern luxury brands Poliform, Antonio Lupi, Lualdi, Ethimo and more will be featured at Unscripted Spaces, a furniture retailer coming to a 4,100-square-foot showroom that will officially launch at 7730 Girard Ave. on Sunday, Nov. 24, as part of the La Jolla Holiday Open House.

Owner Jessica Chepovsky said the business will help interior designers and homeowners accomplish their goals from concept to completion.

“Being part of a woman-owned and -operated company is empowering and supporting the growth and leadership of women in the workplace,” Chepovsky said. “As the owner, I’m proud to help other women grow in their careers and share my knowledge and experience.”

For more information, visit unscriptedspaces.com.

The Way to Wellness Acupuncture

A new clinic at 909 Prospect St. intends to promote wellness in its many forms.

The Way to Wellness Acupuncture focuses on pain management, women’s health and fertility and emotional balance, among other health benefits.

The business will host a soft opening on Saturday, Nov. 16, followed by an official opening Nov. 18.

Owner Yahui Hou said she loves the location and looks forward to “benefiting the La Jolla community” by working with other local businesses.

Thread + Seed

Technology is at the forefront of Thread + Seed, a retailer offering in-store and online shopping with artificial intelligence-driven resources for customers.

Thread + Seed will hold a ribbon cutting from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30, at 7863 Girard Ave. The store will offer one-on-one experiences in which customers are booked with a stylist both online and in person to select their wardrobes. It also features a fashion quiz to help customers pick items that fit their needs.

A sign covers what will soon be Thread + Seed’s store in La Jolla. (Melanie Michaud)

In 2025, Thread + Seed plans to introduce an AI-driven app that curates products and delivers recommendations based on user preferences.

The launch event is by RSVP only and is limited to 75 guests. A VIP hour from 9 to 10 a.m. will include mimosas, exclusive gift bags and a founder speech from Melanie Michaud.

Learn more at threadandseed.com.

Honor Pilates

After a soft opening Oct. 28, Honor Pilates at 7734 Girard Ave. is focused on creating a space “where people can come together and feel connected to others” in the form of group Pilates classes, owner Kimi Evans said.

Honor Pilates incorporates a “classical” Pilates style and “modern” Pilates with custom machines.

Evans started with Pilates because of back injuries from her time as a snowboarder, surfer, kickboxer and competitive hula dancer. She owned Pilates Plus Pacific Beach for 14 years before expanding to La Jolla.

For more information, visit honorpilatesstudios.com.

Alma Style

Alma Style, a new boutique store, recently launched at 1266 Prospect St., and owner Alma Swanson is planning a grand-opening celebration for Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Alma Swanson's new boutique, Alma Style, is at 1266 Prospect St. (Alma Swanson)
Alma Swanson’s new boutique, Alma Style, is at 1266 Prospect St. (Alma Swanson)

Swanson, an image consultant and a personal stylist, described the boutique as trendy with a European influence. She lived in the United Kingdom and Milan, Italy, before moving to California in 2016.

The Nov. 12 event will offer a glass of bubbly for visitors, as well as a gift for the first five purchases. For more information, email Swanson at alma@almaswanson.com.

Left Coast Grooming

Humans in La Jolla have plenty of new businesses to explore, but dogs aren’t being left out.

Left Coast Grooming officially opened Oct. 29 at 7443 La Jolla Blvd., offering custom haircuts for all breeds. Owner Ashley Dorsey said she hopes to offer canine treats in the future and specialize in grooming bichon frise dogs.

Dorsey has worked in the grooming industry for nine years, 3½ of them in La Jolla. After working for The Dogg Lounge of La Jolla and La Jolla Grooming Co., she now has her own business.

“La Jolla has always been special to me, as I went to La Jolla Country Day School for most of my schooling,” Dorsey said. “It made the most sense for me to open my very own grooming salon in [La Jolla].”

To find out more, call 619-871-5849.

George’s at the Cove renovations

George’s at the Cove restaurant at 1250 Prospect St., which celebrated its 40th anniversary in August, is renovating its Level2 bar.

 

George's at the Cove restaurant is renovating its Level2 bar through November. (Ashley Mackin-Solomon)
George’s at the Cove restaurant is renovating its Level2 bar through November. (Ashley Mackin-Solomon)

The project began Oct. 4 and is expected to continue through November. Level2 will feature new high-top counters with chairs facing the water, dining tables, light fixtures and a roof with retractable awnings. Other furnishings will be added or adjusted.

During the renovations, George’s rooftop Ocean Terrace will remain open. The restaurant plans to renovate the terrace in late 2025.

For more information about George’s, visit georgesatthecove.com.

Queenstown Village ‘streetary’

The outdoor dining area in front of Queenstown Village at 1044 Wall St. has raised questions with some residents because two parking spaces — one outside each end of the dining space — are blocked off in addition to the six being occupied by the “streetary.”

A streetary is considered an extension of a food and drink establishment under the city of San Diego’s “Spaces as Places” program.

The city of San Diego says Queenstown Village restaurant in La Jolla is approved to block off parking spaces at each end of its
The city of San Diego says Queenstown Village restaurant in La Jolla is approved to block off parking spaces at each end of its “streetary.” (Phyllis Pfeiffer)

City spokesman Richard Berg said Queenstown has a Spaces as Places streetary permit and that its use of tire stops to block the two extra spaces is included.

“The placement of the wheel stops at Queenstown is consistent with the approved plans,” Berg said. “Wheel stops with reflectors must be included at each end of the streetary. The parking spaces where the wheel stops are located are adjacent to the business; therefore, the parking spaces are allowed to be a part of the streetary’s footprint.”

Echoes Boutique

New owner Elaina Gareta, who took over Echoes Boutique at 7705 Fay Ave. on Aug. 1, says she’s determined to provide customers with preowned fashion items at an affordable price.

Echoes Boutique is a consignment store offering brands such as Kate Spade and Chanel with help from the community.

Gareta said she was initially scared by the prospect of operating the boutique but has since felt the support of La Jollans and her friend and business partner, Viktoriia Moghilevets.

Among Gareta’s goals, she said, is preventing waste from fast fashion.

For more about Echoes Boutique, visit boutiquechoes.com.

New restaurant coming to Theatre District neighborhood

A new establishment from restaurateurs Accursio Lota and Corinne Goria of North Park’s Cori Trattoria Pastificio is coming to UC San Diego’s Theatre District Living and Learning Neighborhood next summer.

Accursio Lota and his wife, Corinne Goria, will be opening a restaurant in UC San Diego's Theatre District Living and Learning Neighborhood near La Jolla Playhouse. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Accursio Lota and his wife, Corinne Goria, will be opening a restaurant in UC San Diego’s Theatre District Living and Learning Neighborhood near La Jolla Playhouse. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

The neighborhood, located close to La Jolla Playhouse, is a mixed-use development intended to address high demand for on-campus student housing.

The upcoming 120-seat restaurant and bar, which is yet unnamed, will encompass 2,600 square feet of indoor space and 1,400 square feet of patio space. Other features include an open kitchen serving coastal southern Italian dishes with Southern California ingredients.

A key part of the restaurant will be its collaboration with La Jolla Playhouse. It will include an optional abridged pre-fixe dinner menu before shows, and theater-goers will be able to get a post-show cocktail at the bar.

— La Jolla Light staff writer Ashley Mackin-Solomon and San Diego Union-Tribune staff writer Pam Kragen contributed to this report.

La Jolla Business Roundup is published monthly by the La Jolla Light. Send your business news to staff writer Noah Lyons at noah.lyons@lajollalight.com.

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