In what otherwise has been a fairly slow period for business openings in the La Jolla area, a handful just settled in or are coming soon.
Here’s a rundown of recent local developments.
El Pueblo
Mexican restaurant El Pueblo is coming this spring to fill the long-vacant space once occupied by Jack in the Box at 564 Pearl St.
El Pueblo was founded by Yasir Ballo and is owned and operated by the Ballo family. The restaurant has four other locations in San Diego County — Del Mar, Carlsbad, Cardiff and Carmel Valley.
The menu includes tacos, burritos, tortas, quesadillas, fries and more. But one of its most popular and affordable dishes is the $1.39 fish taco, available any day of the week.
“We’re big on good food at a great price,” General Manager Nony Funes told the La Jolla Light in January. “That is the core value. We want you to come in and have a really great meal and not break the bank.”
The Pearl Street property has been unoccupied since it was purchased by the adjacent Bishop’s School in September 2021 and the Jack in the Box abruptly closed.
When the $5.5 million purchase was announced, Bishop’s Head of School Ron Kim said the school’s plan was to lease out the site in the short term and later convert it for student use. It was fenced off and used for school bus parking before El Pueblo’s arrival.
Neither Bishop’s nor El Pueblo disclosed details about the restaurant’s lease, and Bishop’s did not discuss the school’s possible long-term plans for the site.
An opening date for El Pueblo has not yet been announced. For updates, visit elpueblomex.com.
Telefèric Barcelona
Arriving at the Westfield UTC mall this spring is Telefèric Barcelona, a family-owned Spanish-born restaurant brand now based in Palo Alto.
Telefèric Barcelona restaurant will open this spring at Westfield UTC mall. (Telefèric Barcelona)
Telefèric Barcelona operates 10 locations in California, Arizona and Spain. Telefèric (the Catalan word for cable car) specializes in authentic Spanish food, including paella and the bite-size appetizers known as pintxos, plus more than 100 Spanish wines.
The restaurant is listed as “coming soon” on Westfield UTC’s website, and representatives of Telefèric Barcelona could not be reached for more information.
For updates, visit telefericbarcelona.com.
Telefèric joins Joey Restaurant as a prominent culinary newcomer to UTC. Joey, which offers steaks, fire-torched sushi, fresh seafood, shareable plates and more, along with a bar and lounge and a dedicated DJ booth for select nights, opened its first San Diego location April 23.
Rightly Realty
A nonprofit real estate brokerage operating in all 50 states that does not charge commissions or consumer fees has made its way to La Jolla.
Rightly Realty opened in February at 800 Silverado St.
According to its website, the brokerage aims to make housing affordable by “donating our team of top-performing, highly experienced Realtors to our clients at no charge.”
It does so by combining licensed real estate professionals with artificial intelligence technology that enables the team to automate administrative tasks. The operation is supported by corporate and private donations as well as nonprofit grants.
Rightly’s managing broker, Kevin Gioia, told the Light that “Rightly provides services that will allow homeowners in La Jolla to save tens of thousands, potentially hundreds of thousands, of dollars on the sale of their homes.”
Learn more at rightlyrealty.com.
Cove Wellness
Cove Wellness has had a steady presence in La Jolla since 1993, and for just the second time in that stretch, it has new owners.
Cove Wellness at 7946 Ivanhoe Ave. in La Jolla recently underwent an ownership change. (Cove Wellness)
Gabriela Turner and her husband, Taylor, took over Cove Wellness in January. The business at 7946 Ivanhoe Ave. offers services including colon hydrotherapy, electro-lymphatic therapy, lymphatic drainage and lymphatic facials.
Turner told the Light that Cove Wellness’ commitment to preventive care and results-driven treatments drew her to the business.
“[It] has been an incredible opportunity,” she said. “While it has taken a great deal of hard work, it’s deeply rewarding to see the impact we have on so many people’s lives. I’m excited to continue building on its legacy and growing the business for years to come.”
For more information, visit covewellness.com.
Face Foundrié grand opening
A little over a month after it debuted at 7855 Girard Ave., Face Foundrié is planning a grand-opening party for noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 9.
The event will feature what are billed as complimentary experiences, plus local vendors and giveaways. The first 50 guests will receive a goody bag including a free Focused Facial.
A ribbon-cutting is scheduled to include representatives of the La Jolla Village Merchants Association.
Face Foundrié is now open at 7855 Girard Ave. in La Jolla. (Noah Lyons)
Face Foundrié, locally owned and operated by Monika Garratt, says it seeks to make skin care “approachable, efficient and results-driven,” with professional facial, lash, brow and skin services.
Facials are offered in 40- and 50-minute formats, along with other services including chemical peels, LED light therapy and waxing. Professional skin care products also are available.
For more details, visit @monika.facefoundrie on Instagram.
The Cat Lounge
For those who have seen a “For lease” sign at The Cat Lounge at 1006 Torrey Pines Road and are wondering what, if anything, is going on, the wait for information may continue awhile longer.
Owner Renee Shamloo declined to comment this week, saying only that “We have yet to make any public announcements but can reach out when we are ready to do so.”
The nonprofit rescue and adoption center opened in November 2019, inspired by “cat cafes,” where guests pay an admission fee to play with cats. The shelter asks for a $25 donation to spend time in a room full of cats with the hope that they will be adopted.
More than 6,200 cats have been adopted since the center’s inception, according to its website.
— San Diego Union-Tribune staff writer Pam Kragen and La Jolla Light staff writer Ashley Mackin-Solomon 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. ♦