November was busy for new La Jolla businesses as a Cajun seafood restaurant, homeware store and facial bar were among several enterprises hosting openings.
Those locations, as well as several soon-to-open businesses, give La Jolla customers lots to do and buy in the holiday season.
Here’s a look at what’s new.
Roam Homeware
After hosting the 2024 San Diego Design Expo on Nov. 16, Roam Homeware officially opened to the public Nov. 30 in Bird Rock.
Roam, founded by La Jolla High School alumna Elyse Clark, says it “curates a globally inspired selection of objects meticulously sourced from various corners of the world.”
The 4,000-square-foot showroom at 5661 La Jolla Blvd. sells vintage, reclaimed or homemade home decor, furniture, art and more. It also offers interior design, plant installation and styling services.
Roam’s previous location in Miramar now will be used as a by-appointment warehouse space.
Learn more at roamhomeware.com.
The Stitch Lab
Visitors will have the opportunity to transform 2D shapes into 3D forms at a new sewing and design studio in Suite 224A at 909 Prospect St.
Shapes to Forms’ store, called The Stitch Lab, opens Friday, Dec. 6, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a tour and creative demonstrations from 4 to 7 p.m. Guests also will be able to for January courses. The event is free but requires an RSVP.
The Stitch Lab says it is dedicated to “integrating STEM [science, technology, engineering and math] concepts into hands-on projects.” Students, adults and families have the chance to take on projects with sewing, draping and pattern-making.
While this marks the debut of The Stitch Lab, Shapes to Forms has been in operation for years. Diana Ngo, the business’s founder and a parent at Muirlands Middle School in La Jolla, donated crafts to local schools for art projects and for creating costumes for La Jolla High School plays.
“Shapes to Forms is not just about teaching sewing and fashion in after-school classes — it’s about being an active part of the La Jolla community and showing kids how creativity connects them to something bigger,” Ngo said.
To learn more, visit shapestoforms.com.
Facials Bar
“High-quality, accessible and results-driven” skin care is billed as the primary focus of Facials Bar, one of the newest businesses on Girard Avenue.
Facials Bar held a soft opening Nov. 1 before a grand opening two weeks later. Now, the business is fully operational and accepting appointments from old and new clients.
Its signature services include facials, LED and cold therapy, serum infusion and sculpting facial massages called “Face Yoga.”
Owner Alina Godz said she and her team are particularly enthusiastic about their holistic technologies and professional skin care products. Efficiency also is among their goals.
“Both the sculpting facial massage and our other treatments are designed to fit seamlessly into busy schedules, making them perfect for anyone looking to maintain healthy, glowing skin without sacrificing time,” Godz said.
Facials Bar is at 7605 Girard Ave. For more information, visit facials.bar.
Montessori by the Sea
Private preschool Montessori by the Sea is expanding its operations in La Jolla after New Year’s Day.
It will open a second location at Mount Soledad Presbyterian Church at 6551 Soledad Mountain Road, replacing Little Steps Christian Preschool. The first location at St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church at 743 Prospect St. in The Village opened in 2022.
Montessori by the Sea follows the Montessori method, emphasizing hands-on, self-paced education with a variety of extracurricular activities.
According to the school, it reached capacity within months of opening its Village location, spurring a need to expand.
Montessori by the Sea also is expanding its services to infants through kindergartners. For more, visit montessoribythesea.org.
Art at the Cove
Art at the Cove, owned by artist T. (Trisha) Marguerite, offers painting workshops, private paint parties and corporate team-building events, along with a Sunday brunch and featured artists, in Suite 130C at 909 Prospect St.
Private parties can be reserved at artatthecove.com. New workshops and classes will be added to the website on a regular basis.
Art at the Cove will celebrate its grand opening from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. The event will feature food and wine.
Crab City Cajun Seafood & Bar
Cajun seafood lovers rejoice!
A new location for Crab City Cajun Seafood & Bar opened last week at 8008 Girard Ave. To celebrate, the restaurant announced that customers can receive 20% off their bill through Thursday, Dec. 5.
Crab City is family-owned and -operated, serving an array of seafood and drinks from local and other Southern California breweries. Each seafood item can be ordered with either a Cajun house sauce, lemon pepper, garlic butter or “naked,” without sauce. The new location also will offer an exclusive item, lobster pho.
The restaurant’s original spot is in Barrio Logan. For more information, visit crabcitybar.com.
L55 Tacos & More
L55 Tacos & More, a new concept from Frank Vizcarra, founder of Michelin Bib Gourmand-honored Lola 55, opened Nov. 4 at Westfield UTC mall.
The new restaurant, in the space formerly occupied by Tocaya Organica, says it turns Lola’s “gourmet standards” into a “more casual and convenient” dining experience.
L55 Tacos’ 2,800-square-foot fast-casual location at 4301 La Jolla Village Drive serves Lola 55’s burritos, bowls, salads and a new lineup of gourmet tacos created by chef Daniel Soto (formerly of Michelin two-star restaurant Pujol in Mexico City), with low-proof cocktails by Gareth Moore along with draft beer and seasonal agua fresca flavors.
The restaurant offers indoor and patio seating and a stand-alone bar.
The core of the menu revolves around five proteins — black chicken tinga, mushroom barbacoa, carnitas, carne asada and birria. Each item is available in a taco plate, burrito, bowl, quesadilla or salad.
La Jolla Business Roundup is published monthly by the La Jolla Light. Send your business news to staff writer Noah Lyons at [email protected]. ♦
