Summer brings tens of thousands of tourists to La Jolla every year. From eyelash treatments to ice-cold pools, a variety of new businesses are looking to welcome visitors and locals alike. Here are some of the businesses in the area that are open or opening soon.
Sugaring Place
Aiming to offer a more convenient and less painful alternative to waxing, The Sugaring Place opened June 13 at 5726 La Jolla Blvd.
Co-owner Sabrina Song says sugaring is a natural method of hair removal that uses a simple paste made from sugar, water and lemon juice. It only sticks to dead skin cells and hair, reducing the risk of ingrown hairs and is much less painful than waxing. The sugar is applied at room temperature, so there’s no risk of burning. Anything that can be shaved or waxed can be sugared.
“All we do is sugaring,” and those who work there are specially trained in the procedure, she added.
“We greet everyone by name and offer them something to drink,” Tong says. “If they’re nervous about their first experience, we give them a vibration device to hold in their hand to help distract them from the pain. It puts them at ease.”
Click here for details Source.
Private Medical Spa
Following its opening on June 17, Prefct med spa is La Jolla’s newest establishment offering skin care for women, men and teenagers. Located at 7661 Girard Ave., the facility offers microneedling, Botox, laser hair removal, IV therapy, medical-grade facials and more.
“When you feel good about yourself in the mirror, it has a domino effect on other areas of your life,” says COO Nasim Wills. “You might smile more, make more eye contact, or sit up a little taller. There’s something intangible about feeling good about how you look. We preach that beauty comes from within, but we also help you with your appearance.”
The medical spa’s retail section offers a curated selection of products including a wide range of sunscreens, the Prfct skin care line and products used in facials.
In the coming months, the facility plans to begin offering health seminars and speaker series.
Click here for details helloprfct.com.
Stud Earscape
Studs opened June 26 in the Westfield UTC shopping center at 4305 La Jolla Village Drive and began offering piercing services to customers ages 13 and older.
“Studs is reinventing the ear piercing experience for millennials and Gen Z, offering expert, customized piercings that use needles (never guns!) for safety, precision and enhanced healing, along with an assortment of on-trend earrings,” the company’s statement reads. “By focusing exclusively on expert ear piercings and earrings, and not other body piercings, jewelry or accessories, we have earned the authority of Earscape, a term we coined and trademarked to define the art and science of ear piercing and earring stacking that is tailored to our customers’ unique ear anatomy and style.”
Click here for details stud.
Skappare Travel Club
Founded by La Jolla residents Maria Goldman and Amy Chambers, Scapare Travel Club offers locally-focused, curated small-group trips to Italy.
“We’ve developed a love for Italy over the years,” Goldman said. “We’ve both become fluent in Italian and go there at least two or three times a year. We have friends and business acquaintances there, so we try to go to unique and off the beaten path spots. We want your experience to be as fun and special as it was for us when we went to Italy.”
Scapare, which means “escape” in Italian, organises tours for groups of up to eight people in April, May, October and November, when the weather is milder and the crowds are fewer.
The founders, who met 10 years ago while studying Italian, accompany the group throughout the trip.
“We’re always there with the group, providing language assistance, concierge-style service and immediate real-time support,” Chambers said. “We want people to see what it’s like outside of the tourist spots.”
The club also offers solo and couples experiences.
Click here for details From scapparetravelclub.com.
San Diego Rush
Currently offering lash extension and lift services in a soft opening, San Diego Lashes plans to hold a grand opening event in July at 7492 La Jolla Blvd.
San Diego Lash “takes a unique approach to lash treatments,” says owner Jamie Just, “so it’s not one size fits all.”
While bigger, more dramatic lashes are trending, Justo said, “my favorite style right now is more natural lashes that you can’t even tell you’re wearing.”
The shop also offers a lash lift, which curls your lashes upwards as if you had used an eyelash curler, with results that last for several months.
Justo said her technique does not damage or harm natural lashes.
“I feel like lash extensions and lash lifts get a bad rap because they damage your lashes,” she says, “but if done properly, your natural lashes are fine.”
The salon also offers facials, eyebrow shaping and permanent makeup services.
Click here for details sdlashes.com.
Soul Plunge
Soul Plunge, a new business that plans to offer cold baths, sauna services, yoga and breathing exercises, is set to open at 7463 Girard Ave. in August.
“Cold baths have been studied for their physical effects on the immune system and muscle recovery, but the mental benefits are just now being explored,” says Mia Heck, who co-founded the business with her husband, Matt. “When you take a cold bath, your body releases hormones and dopamine, similar to exercise, which can act as a reset button for your mind. The mental resilience you get from putting yourself in a stressful situation and breathing in a cold bath can increase your mental resilience.” [shows] If you can do that, you can do anything.”
The temperature of the cold bath is kept at around 45 degrees and participants immerse themselves in the cold bath.
Aiming to offer “contrast therapy,” the facility will also offer sauna services.
“Saunas are great for detoxifying and relieving stress,” Heck says. “By alternating between a cold bath and a sauna, you’re giving your cardiovascular system a workout, so you get a double benefit.”
We are developing a website.
Le Coq Sportif
The much talked about modern French steakhouse Le Coq has opened at 7837 Herschel Avenue, formerly home to Herringbone Restaurant.
Named after the French dish coq au vin, Le Coq will be led by executive chef Tara Monsod, one of five finalists for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef in California award for 2024. It will be the final restaurant collaboration between business partners Christopher Puffer and Brian Malarkey.
Opening hours are 5pm to 9pm Sunday to Thursday, and 5pm to 10pm Friday and Saturday.
Click here for details lecoq.com.
Faherty
A vacant storefront on Girard Street near Warwick Bookstore has a sign about its next tenant, Faherty’s.
Founded by twin brothers Alex and Mike Faherty, the brand describes itself as having a “sustainable mindset.”
The store sells fresh clothing for men, women, and children, such as the striped linen La Jolla skirt.
Click here for details fahertybrand.com.
L55 Tacos + More
L55 Tacos, a new concept from Frank Vizcarra, founder of Michelin Bib Gourmand-winning Lola 55, will open in August at the Westfield UTC mall (4301 La Jolla Village Drive).
The 2,800-square-foot restaurant will serve Lola55’s burritos, bowls and salads, as well as a new lineup of gourmet tacos created by chef Daniel Soto, former head chef at Mexico City’s two-star Michelin restaurant Pujol.
L55 Tacos + More will offer indoor seating, patio seating and a separate bar.
Click here for details Source.
closure
Along with all the openings, La Jolla Village has also seen some business closures, most notably Benefit Cosmetics and Classic Burger, which closed in late June.
Tristin Osborne, manager of Benefit Cosmetics Boutique & Brow Bar, said the decision to close the store at 1001 Prospect St. was not made locally.
“This was unexpected and heartbreaking for us, but the headquarters does not believe this location is suitable and is looking for a location with more year-round traffic,” she said.
Classic Burger, located at 615 Pearl St., has closed its doors effective immediately after announcing the closure on social media, citing challenges with day-to-day operations.
new employee
La Jolla-based Alphacor has named Brian Havas as chief operating officer of the investment and asset management company.
Mr. Havas will oversee operational, technical and strategic planning across Alphacor’s business lines and functions.
Prior to joining AlphaCore, Mr. Habas spent more than 20 years in financial services with financial institutions including T. Rowe Price and most recently LPL Financial.
— The San Diego Union-Tribune contributed to this report.
La Jolla Business Roundup is published monthly by La Jolla Light. Send your business news to staff writer Ashley Mackin-Solomon at ashleym@lajollalight.com. ◆
