Take a walk down Memory Lane as we highlight some of our favorite moments from 2022
Dear Clients, Friends, and Colleagues,
Happy New Year and Happy Lunar New Year! For the past 15 years Location Matters has been dedicated to the retail and restaurant space. Assisting everyone from landlords finding the tenants, to real estate investors and restaurant owners finding the perfect location for longevity and financial reward. As with the change of the year, it’s the opportune time to reflect on the list of successful deals and positive stories with tenants expanding new restaurant concepts, and successful investment transactions.
Please take a moment to read through some of our sale and leasing highlights of 2022 that have shaped the restaurant and retail landscape in our city.
Take a walk down Memory Lane as we highlight some of our favorite moments from 2022.
Carlsbad Welcomed a New High-End Steakhouse
Represented Landlord & Tenant
The owner of Paon Restaurant & Wine Bar revamped a 4,700 SF restaurant in Carlsbad to Polo Steakhouse. Polo Steakhouse elevates the traditional Steakhouse experience by combining extraordinary flavors with modern techniques, paired with specialty cocktails and top-shelf wines guided by their experienced staff. Located off Cannon Road, the restaurant group scored with this location being near high tourism areas and large businesses, right off I- 5.
8,000 Square Foot Freestanding Carlsbad Property Sells for $3.6M
Represented Buyer & Seller
Located on Roosevelt Street in Carlsbad, an 8,000 SF two-story building on an 18,950 SF parcel located closed for $3,625,000. Situated in close proximity to residential, local businesses, and the ever-popular Carlsbad Village, making it a great real estate investment. The buyer is well-versed in mixed-use projects and has plans to reposition the current building for creative office use.
Thai Concept Headed for Bressi Ranch
Represented Tenant
With the help of Location Matters, Torsap Thai Kitchen leased a 3,990 SF restaurant with an 830 SF patio at The Square in Bressi Ranch. The acclaimed Thai food restaurant from Walnut Creek will offer an elevated version of traditional Thai cuisine, bringing a differentiated Thai offering to San Diego. This expansion will make their first San Diego restaurant and second Torsap Thai location set to open early this year.
San Clemente Iconic Tavern Sells for $2.5M
Represented Buyer & Seller
Selling for $2,500,000, the 7,551 SF lot on El Camino Real includes a 3,700 SF building that houses Goody’s Tavern. Since 1929 the historic tavern has been a go-to for good drinks and community in the heart of downtown San Clemente. We were happy to have helped both parties in the transaction and for the new owners to capitalize on this amazing investment.
Angry Chicks Monumental Year of Firsts
Represented Tenant
Another year of growth for Angry Chicks! This year has brought four grand openings, from Fresno, Corona, and Stockton in California to their first Arizona location in Glendale. Another first for the hot chicken group was the addition of drive-thru locations at Stockton and Glendale. The addition of drive-thru locations has been a game changer for the group, and we feel super lucky to continue to help them find great opportunities.
Pali Wine Co. San Diego Expansion
Represented Landlord & Tenant
Pali Wine Co. will open its second San Diego tasting room in the space that previously occupied Oscar Wilde’s Irish Pub in Hillcrest. The site will be undergoing a serious remodel to transform the space into Pali’s notoriously architecturally savvy outposts. We’re excited to see the outcome of their latest design bringing an elevated wine-tasting experience with their variety of vino hailing from California’s Central Coast.
San Diego Sandwich Takeover Featuring Ike’s
Represented Tenant
Ike’s Love and Sandwiches set their eyes on a San Diego expansion and Location Matters helped deliver with 3 new locations, two of which opened in 2022. Sorrento Valley’s grand opening welcomed a long line of people at the Mercato while Poway opened and introduced sandwiches that paid homage to the city and its famous rock band origin. The La Jolla Village Square location is set to open this year and become a staple of UTC with its highly craveable sandwiches.
Bird Rock Expands to Encinitas
Represented Tenant
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters continues to spread its wings in San Diego and landed in Downtown Encinitas on S. Coast Hwy. While they continue to expand, the Bird Rock Coffee team stays true to their mission of farm-to-cup sourcing, supporting local initiatives like the Little Blue Penguins at Birch Aquarium, and delivering great-quality coffee. We are excited to help Bird Rock Coffee soar in finding promising locations.
Sale of Half-Decade Old Restaurant in Mission Valley
Represented Buyer & Seller
Half-Century old Hunter Steakhouse in Mission Valley was purchased by the owners of Home & Away, a popular sports bar in San Diego’s Old Town. The 5,200 SF Restaurant will undergo a complete renovation to bring a fresh new concept called The Remy. The redevelopment will align with the revitalizing of Mission Valley, with the much anticipated Riverwalk project breaking ground in September aiming to bring a walkable, live-work-play neighborhood right next to The Remy.
Baja Ricks Opens in Gaslamp
Represented Buyer & Seller
From the owner of Rockin’ Baja Lobster Coastal Cantina, came a fun new concept called Baja Ricks Cantina in a prime 4,500 SF location in Gaslamp. Highly visible on 6th avenue, directly across from the San Diego Convention Center and within walking distance of Petco Park! The restaurant is inspired by Puerto Nuevo in Mexico serving Baja-inspired eats with an approachable menu and drinks perfect for a fiesta.
Toasted Gastrobrunch Moved to Oceanside
Represented Buyer & Seller
The group behind Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza and Toasted Gastrobrunch moved its Carlsbad brunch location into the heart of Oceanside. They acquired the former Carte Blanch Bistro and Bar restaurant, a beautifully designed 4,231 SF space with a 528 SF outdoor patio on the ground floor of the SALT complex. In transitioning locations, they added a full dinner menu and expansive bar offerings to make it the first Toasted Gastrobrunch + Dinner.
Joyee’s Dumpling House Heading to Vista
Represented Tenant
Growing Chinese restaurant, Joyee’s Dumpling House, has opened its 3rd location in Torrey Highlands Village in a 1,700 SF store in a Vons anchored center. In addition to the opening, they also secured a new location in Vista 2,397 SF set to open this year. Joyee’s specializes in dumplings and homemade buns, with a menu that offers a variety of soups, noodles, meat, and vegetable dishes and we are thrilled to have helped this brand grow its presence in San Diego.
San Diego Gymnastics Opening in Mission Valley
Represented Tenant
Established in 2008 in Liberty Station, San Diego Gymnastics has grown to 4 locations with the addition of Otay Ranch, La Mesa, and Carlsbad. San Diego Gymnastics provides state-of-the-art facilities, new fun classes for kids, and flexible and convenient times and locations for parents. They have quickly become San Diego’s largest kids’ fitness program and will soon be opening their 5th location, joining Westfield Mission Valley West in a 7,986 SF building right off Hwy I-8.
New Faces & Life Events
In transitioning Hannah Sierpina over to the brokerage side of Location Matters in 2022, we welcomed Deanna De La Fuente as our new Operation Manager to support the growing team. Over the summer we celebrated two associates as they tied the knot with their significant others. David Cutler married his longtime sweetheart in the Philippines, while Alexis Couch (fka Dachs) married her USD college love in Santa Barbara.
