La Jolla Business Roundup: Variety of enterprises join merchant community

From food to fitness and coffee to architecture, changes are underway in La Jolla’s business community.

Here’s a look at some recent happenings.

Wavelength supplements

Looking to provide a clean source of protein with added benefits such as hormone support and adaptogens designed to balance the body, La Jolla resident Jessica Price has launched a supplement line called Wavelength.

“Growing up, I had a variety of health issues, which led me to this passion,” Price said. “I obtained a health coach certificate in 2018 and have since been invested in helping myself and others optimize our well-being through simple actions. During this time, I was really focused on diet through a clean, healthy, organic approach.”

However, unable to find a source of protein that met her needs, Price created her own, adding fiber, antioxidants and supplements that she said support hormone balance, brain function and energy.

Wavelength supplements come in powder form and can be mixed into foods and drinks. They are not recommended for pregnant women, though they can be given to children in small doses with input from the child’s doctor.

A child’s version called Little Ripples does not include adaptogens and replaces them with powdered greens.

Orders may be placed one at a time or through a subscription. Learn more at wavelengthsupplements.com.

Queenstown Village ‘streetary’

Queenstown Village is building a “streetary” in front of the restaurant on Wall Street.

(Ashley Mackin-Solomon)

La Jolla’s Queenstown Village is expanding its footprint to outdoor dining as part of the city of San Diego’s Spaces as Places program with construction of a “streetary” underway at 1044 Wall St.

After opening a year ago, the New Zealand-inspired restaurant applied for a city permit to build outdoor dining through Spaces as Places, which went into effect in most of the city in 2022 and established regulations for eating and drinking areas placed on parking spaces on city streets and other outdoor public places. It provided a process for existing temporary operations to transition to permanent.

Subterranean Coffee

After 12 years in North Park, Subterranean Coffee opened a La Jolla location recently at 1237 Prospect St.

Touting a ‘90s cafe vibe that encourages patrons to take their time and relax, Subterranean Coffee offers smoothies, savory and sweet treats and, of course, coffee.

“What makes us stand out is the overall vibe and our recipes for food and drink. It’s of better quality than others in the area,” said owner Gene Padigos. “We also have record players and awesome decor that guests can explore.

“A lot of people consider it a good community hangout. We wanted to bring that to La Jolla because it seemed it was lacking in the area, and I feel like we fit well here.”

The coffee beans are roasted in house, and Subterranean offers original concoctions such as white lavender mocha and iced Mexican mocha, as well as the Siamese Basil smoothie.

The menu also features sandwiches such as the turkey and brie that Padigos is proud of.

“I love the beach and I love the whole community,” he said. “I wanted to have Subterranean Coffee in the best locations in San Diego, and I feel like La Jolla checks that box.”

For more information, visit subterraneancoffee.com.

Bodyrok

Bodyrok fitness studio opened April 16 at 1150 Silverado St. with the intent to provide a more “athletic and fun” spin on Pilates.

The exercises at Bodyrok are done on reformer machines just like Pilates, but with “a total body workout focused on strength building and toning as opposed to stretching,” said Bodyrock San Diego owner Stephany Erlbeck.

“We curate our classes to have quick transitions so you really maximize your 50 minutes and work hard,” she said. “We try to make it fun with an amazing stereo system and lights that change colors with the times. It’s like a fun, clubby vibe matched with Pilates.”

After Bodyrok opened locations in Encinitas and Bankers Hill, clients were asking for one in La Jolla, Erlbeck said.

“There has been a real shift in La Jolla. There are more young people and the vibe has shifted, and I thought this would be a good market for what we do,” she said. “There are a lot of like-minded clientele in the area where we are. We’re super excited to be in La Jolla.”

Learn more at bodyrok.com.

Well Fashioned by Tenni King

Need a wardrobe refresh? Recent La Jolla arrival Tenni King is at your service.

Clients of Well Fashioned by Tenni King can undergo a closet edit in which King extracts pieces that could be donated or sold. She also will go on shopping trips to find new pieces based on a client’s style, and clients can have clothes brought to them for an in-home shopping experience. There also are packing services so they can have outfits on vacations.

“When you know you have a good outfit, you move in the world differently,” King said. “I know people have an attachment to their clothes and I bear that in mind. But when I’m in the closet, I take notes of what the wardrobe could use based on lifestyle and budget. I get to know the client’s style and what they like and find what their wardrobe could use.”

After five years as a wardrobe stylist in Dallas, King moved to La Jolla last summer and quickly started making connections with local boutiques.

“I love creating outfits by mixing pieces from local stores with what they already have in their closet,” she said. “I get to bring these beloved pieces to life and style them.”

To learn more or book an appointment, visit wellfashionedbytenniking.com.

Island Architects partners

Island Architects’ partners are Tony Crisafi, Roger Sammon, Haley Duke and Lisa Kriedeman.

(Lori Mueller)

La Jolla-based Island Architects has named Haley Duke and Roger Sammon as partners, joining existing partners Lisa Kriedeman and Tony Crisafi.

Duke joined Island Architects in 2004 upon relocating from Boston, where she worked on custom residential and hospitality projects.

“Haley brings a unique perspective to project design and management with her dual licensure and ability to keenly unite the art and technique of architecture, space planning and material integration,” according to a company statement.

Sammon joined Island in 2014 after graduating from the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture.

“Roger applies his talents to both historical homes and renovations, as well as new development within the existing established community form and fabric,” according to the statement. “His authority and diligence serve his clients well in creating unique architecture with precedence and proportion.”

Coming to Westfield UTC mall

Uniqlo: Some have called this casual clothier Japan’s answer to Gap, but it has ambitions to be much more. Between now and 2027, it plans to more than double its presence in North America, and it’s coming to Westfield UTC this year in a space that used to house Forever 21 at 4545 La Jolla Village Drive.

Uniqlo round mini shoulder bags

(Associated Press)

Currently the chain’s closest store to San Diego is in Orange County.

The name Uniqlo is a portmanteau of its original name, Unique Clothing Warehouse. The company, founded in 1984 by the son of a suitmaker, has 2,400 stores worldwide.

Its clothes are priced higher than discount retailers but lower than many other brands and include items made of natural fabrics. The looks lean toward universal basics with clean lines.

Uniqlo carries a wide variety of sizes, from XXS to 3XL.

For more information, visit uniqlo.com/us/en.

Venchi: The chocolate boutique and gelateria is in the works in the mall at 4303 La Jolla Village Drive.

The company was founded in 1878 in Turin, Italy, a region with a long history of chocolate-making.

Venchi’s menu includes chocolate bars ($22.90 for roughly 7 ounces), gianduiotti (bite-size, soft, hazelnut-like treats in a variety of flavors) and nougatine (caramelized hazelnut enveloped in dark chocolate).

This will be the brand’s first store in Southern California.

Learn more at us.venchi.com.

Puesto donation

Puesto, whose La Jolla location is pictured in November 2020, recently donated $50,000 to Scripps Health.

(File)

Puesto Mexican restaurant, which has a location at 1026 Wall St. in La Jolla, donated $50,000 to Scripps Health on April 25 following a partnership in which proceeds from select menu items went to the medical network to support cancer care.

“This cause is close to the Puesto family,” said Puesto co-founder Eric Adler. “With team members who have personally been affected by cancer, either through their families or themselves, we are proud to partner with an organization that is working to provide patients with the utmost care and support through their recovery.”

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]. ◆