Two longtime of La Jolla’s business community are moving on, though one didn’t go far. Meanwhile, new enterprises are ing the local merchant makeup.
Here’s a look at what’s coming and going in La Jolla.
Bubba’s Smokehouse BBQ
After 14 years at 888 Prospect St. in The Village, Bubba’s Smokehouse BBQ will close Sunday, Oct. 29, following a rent increase.
Owner Jeff Nicoletta said a proposed lease renewal agreement carried nearly twice the rent he had been paying. That, coupled with declines in sales since the COVID-19 pandemic, meant staying open in La Jolla “didn’t make sense,” he said.
“La Jolla is a lot different after COVID because people aren’t working in offices as much and there are fewer people on vacation,” Nicoletta said. “The locals helped, but you can’t go on that alone. I knew it would come to this point, but I didn’t think it would happen this fast.”
Instead of having a brick-and-mortar location in town, Nicoletta will continue to offer catering services and said he might open another location outside La Jolla.
To his patrons, he said: “Thank you so much for ing us; we love the community. This was a great ride because of the community.”
Ocean Girl
Similarly, the apparel shop Ocean Girl, which has been on Avenida de la Playa for more than 20 years, also faced a lease issue that prompted owner Terry Kraszewski to move.
“My landlord didn’t renew my lease for the [location] I had been at for 24 years” at 2162 Avenida de la Playa, Kraszewski said at the La Jolla Shores Association meeting Oct. 11. “I had to vacate my shop on Sept. 30, but I am moving down the street and am excited to stay in the neighborhood.”
The store is set to open at its new site at 2226 Avenida de la Playa on Wednesday, Nov. 1.
The store offers ocean-themed art, apparel, hats, jewelry and books, including the “Surf Angel” series written by Kraszewski and her daughter Heather. Learn more at oceangirlstore.com.
Blue Whale restaurant
Blue Whale, helmed by La Jolla resident Michael Harrison, one-time manager of The Cottage restaurant, opened in mid-October at 834 Kline St. to offer a surf-inspired “all-day beach cafe.”
It currently is open for breakfast and lunch, with plans to expand to dinner once management gets its beer and wine license. The breakfast menu includes build-your-own bowls, an espresso bar, smoothies, chicken and waffles, pancakes and more. For lunch, the menu includes poke bowls, burritos, salads and rib-eye steaks.
“We are very surf-oriented, so we hope to welcome the people that just came from the beach, but we are open to everyone,” Harrison said. “You could come wearing flip-flops and sit on the outdoor patio or have a business lunch in a suit and tie.”
In addition to the food, Blue Whale features surf apparel, hats, ceramics, a grab-and-go counter and more.
Having worked at The Cottage nearby, Harrison said, “I know how busy this block is, so when this space became available, I had to jump on it.”
Blue Whale is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (breakfast is served until 3 p.m.). A website is still being developed. To place an order or for more information, call (858) 352-6580.
CC Patio La Jolla
Having undergone a series of changes in the past few years, CC Patio had a grand opening for its storefront at 7920 Herschel Ave. on Sept. 29.
Manager Stephanie Thompson, recently elected to the La Jolla Village Merchants Association board, said the location originally opened during the COVID-19 pandemic by appointment only. But with pandemic restrictions lifted, the owners wanted to make the showroom readily available to display the custom outdoor furniture the company can create.
Among the offerings, Thompson said, are day beds, chairs, ottomans, coffee tables, dining tables, sectionals, fire pits and more.
“We do furniture for residential and commercial, large and small,” she said. “Everything is done with the clients from start to finish using materials made in the United States.”
The process starts with a consultation and proposal, followed by selection of finishes. From there, the production team makes each custom piece from materials in a 40,000-square-foot warehouse in Arizona and delivers it to the client.
CC Patio is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Learn more at catio.com.
Aspen’s Dog House
The Shops at La Jolla Village has a new offering for canine treat-seekers.
Aspen’s Dog House, which is now open on the north side of the mall — west of Interstate 5 and north of Nobel Drive — near Rubio’s Coastal Grill and European Wax Center, describes itself as “the premier destination for dog owners who want to go above and beyond for their canine companions.”
The location, named for a three-legged dog belonging to Ace Rogers, one of the co-owners along with Cody Decker, is intended “to create an extravagant experience available to anyone who wants to splurge on their own four-legged family .”
Per its website, you can find “ A5 wagyu meals, state-of-the-art dog-washing stations and the finest dog toys.”
Learn more at aspensdoghouse.com.
La Jolla Business Roundup is published monthly by the La Jolla Light. Send your business news to staff writer Ashley Mackin-Solomon at [email protected]. ◆
