While January and February usually are slower months for business openings, there’s still activity in store around La Jolla.
Here’s a look at recent developments.
Robina Apparel & Accessories
A long-standing high-end women’s clothing boutique at 1275 Prospect St. is under new ownership.
Suna Singh took the helm at Robina Apparel & Accessories in December with the goal of expanding the store’s online presence while maintaining its in-person experience.
Robina offers “elevated casual” clothing and more from brands including Mother Denim, Raquel Allegra, Go Silk and Dana Kellin Jewelry. It also offers personal styling in store and by text, which Singh believes sets the business apart from others.
“We spend a lot of time with the customers who come in to shop,” she said. “It’s a personalized experience where women feel special and good about themselves trying on fashion.”
Under Singh’s leadership, Robina is hosting new shopping events. The first, named “Sip and Shop,” was held Jan. 26 and will be a monthly event featuring champagne, styling and conversation. ission is free, but by invitation only.
To learn more about Robina, visit @robinalajolla on Instagram.
Le Coq chef a semifinalist in James Beard competition
Chef Tara Monsod of Le Coq in La Jolla and Animae in San Diego’s Marina District was named a semifinalist Jan. 22 for a 2025 James Beard Award in the Best Chef category for California.
Le Coq is a contemporary French restaurant that opened in June. Animae specializes in Asian fusion.
Monsod earned her second nomination after becoming the first San Diego County chef to make it to the final round of the Beard competition last year.
Though Monsod didn’t win, as the prize went to chef Lord Maynard Llera of Kuya Lord in Los Angeles, she said she’s proud to be competing again this year because of the recognition it brings to the local culinary scene.
“I’m very grateful for the [San Diego] has given me, and maybe hopefully I can make the finals again this year and bring a win to the city,” she said.
Monsod said Le Coq is doing very well, with steadily growing business and an evolving menu.
“It’s still a baby being formed and growing,” she said.
The James Beard Award winners will be unveiled at a ceremony June 16 in Chicago. A full list of semifinalists is available at jamesbeard.org/blog/the-2025-james-beard-award-semifinalists#.
To learn more about Le Coq, visit lecoq.com.
Roam Homeware’s Gallery Nights
A monthly tradition is forming at one of Bird Rock’s newest businesses.
Roam Homeware 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.
And now it is the home of Gallery Nights, when guests can browse the work of 10 or more local artists, listen to live music and partake of complimentary drinks the third Thursday of each month. The first event was held Jan. 16 for a crowd of about 150 people.
The second Gallery Night is set for 5-9 p.m. Feb. 20. To , go to @roam.homeware on Instagram. ission is free.
Roam, founded by La Jolla High School alumna Elyse Clark, opened to the public Nov. 30. Before that, it was the host of the 2024 San Diego Design Expo on Nov. 16.
Learn more at roamhomeware.com.
Activate House
Before it opens a La Jolla location in March, Activate House is giving guests a sneak peek of the space and the services it will offer.
Activate House, which describes itself as a “destination for holistic wellness,” is a hub for sculpt, spin, Pilates and yoga classes. Its first location, in North Park, will be ed by a new store at 5663 La Jolla Blvd.
The new spot will kick off from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, with “Rise & Align: A Wellness Experience,” described as “a thoughtfully curated evening … designed to inspire clarity, intention and connection in a nurturing environment.” It will begin with a “grounding” yoga session, followed by breathwork and an “Art Through Healing” period led by Sarah Rose of Funki Fungi.
General ission is $40 and can be purchased at eventbrite.com (search for “Rise & Align”).
Activate House is set to host several events and workshops at its La Jolla location, including a women-in-business mixer and a monthly running club. To learn more, visit activate-house.com.
AMC UTC
AMC Theatres is betting billions on theater improvements — and its first big local upgrade is at Westfield UTC mall.
After six months of construction, the AMC UTC 14 cinema recently unveiled new recliners, complete with heaters, in every theater. The upgrade also includes a new 117-seat Dolby Cinema, new drink and food offerings and a kiosk ordering system.
AMC told investors in November that it planned to spend $1 billion to $1.5 billion overall in the next four to seven years for theater upgrades. AMC declined to say how much it spent to upgrade UTC 14, saying only that it was a “multimillion-dollar” remodel.
— San Diego Union-Tribune staff writers Pam Kragen and Phillip Molnar 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 [email protected]. ♦
