With summer bringing the annual influx of tourists to La Jolla, new business offerings ranging from eyelash care to cold plunges are looking to greet them, as well as the local clientele. Here’s a look at what is open or opening soon in the area.
The Sugaring Place
Looking to provide a more convenient — and less painful — alternative to waxing for hair removal, The Sugaring Place opened June 13 at 5726 La Jolla Blvd.
Co-owner Sabrina Thon said sugaring is a “natural hair-removal method using a simple paste of sugar, water and lemon juice. It only adheres to dead skin cells and hair, so it reduces the risk of ingrown hairs and makes it much less painful than waxing. The sugar is applied at room temperature, so there is no risk of burning. Anything you can shave or wax can be sugared.”
Sugaring is “all we do,” she added, and those who work there are specially trained in the procedure.
“Everyone is greeted by name and offered a beverage,” Thon said. “For someone’s first experience, if they are nervous, we give them a vibrating tool to hold in their hand to distract them from any pain. It makes them comfortable.”
Learn more at thesugaringplace.com.
Prfct med spa
Following its June 17 opening, Prfct med spa is the latest in La Jolla to offer skin care for women, men and teenagers. The facility at 7661 Girard Ave. offers microneedling, Botox, laser hair removal, IV therapies, medical-grade facials and more.
“When you feel good about what you see in the mirror, there is a domino effect into other areas of your life,” said Chief Operating Officer Nassim Wills. “You might smile more, make eye contact more or stand a little taller. There is something intangible about feeling good about the way you look. We do preach that beauty comes from within … but we are also here to help with the exterior.”
The retail component of the med spa offers a curated line of different types of sunscreen, the Prfct skin care line, the products used in the facials and more.
In coming months, the facility will start offering wellness seminars and a speakers series.
Learn more at helloprfct.com.
Studs earscaping
Studs opened June 26 at the Westfield UTC shopping center at 4305 La Jolla Village Drive, offering ear-piercing services for customers 13 and older.
“Studs has reimagined the ear-piercing experience specifically for millennials and Gen Z, providing customized piercings done by experts that use needles (never guns!) for better safety, precision and healing with an on-trend piercing assortment,” according to a statement from the business. “Focusing only on expert ear piercing and earrings — and not other body piercings, jewelry or accessories — gives us the authority in earscaping — a term we coined and trademarked to define the art and science of ear piercings and earring stacking for your unique ear anatomy and style.”
Learn more at studs.com.
Scappare Travel Club
The Scappare Travel Club, founded by La Jolla resident Maria Goldman with Amy Chambers, provides curated, region-specific, small-group trips to Italy.
“We have a mutual love of Italy that we have developed over the years,” Goldman said. “We have both become fluent and go at least two or three times a year. We have friends there and business contacts there, so we try to do things that are unique and off the beaten path. We want everyone’s experience to be as pleasant and special as ours are when we go there.”
Scappare, which means “escape” in Italian, plans trips for groups of up to eight in April, May, October and November, when the weather is more moderate and the crowds are smaller.
The founders, who met while studying Italian 10 years ago, accompany the groups throughout the trip.
“We are always with the group for language help and concierge-style service, immediate real-time help,” Chambers said. “We want to show people what it can be like there outside of the tourist traps.”
The club also offers single travel opportunities and couples experiences.
Learn more at scapparetravelclub.com.
San Diego Lashes
San Diego Lashes, which currently is providing lash extension and lifting services in a soft opening, plans to host a grand-opening event in July at 7492 La Jolla Blvd.
San Diego Lashes “takes a different approach to doing lashes,” owner Jamie Justo said. “It’s not one size fits all.”
Though larger, more dramatic lashes are trending, Justo said her “favorite look to do right now is the more natural ones, so people can’t tell you have them on.”
The shop also offers lash lifts that curl the lashes upward as if the client had used an eyelash curler, but with effects that last for months.
Justo said her technique does not harm or damage one’s natural lashes.
“I feel like lash extensions and lifts got a bad rap because people have had their lashes damaged,” she said. “But if you are doing them properly, your natural lashes will be fine.”
The salon also offers facials, eyebrow shaping and permanent makeup services.
Learn more at sdlashes.com.
Soul Plunge
Soul Plunge, a new enterprise planning to offer cold plunges, sauna services, yoga and breathwork, is scheduled to open in August at 7463 Girard Ave.
“Cold plunging has been studied for the physical effects on the immune system and muscle recovery, but the mental health benefits are just now being researched,” said Mia Heck, who co-founded the business with her husband, Matt. “When you cold-plunge, your body releases hormones and dopamine like when you work out. That can be a reset button for your mental health. The mental resilience you gain from cold plunging by putting yourself in a stressful situation and breathing through it [shows] if you can do that, you can do anything.”
The cold-plunge water is kept around 45 degrees, and participants submerge themselves in the plunge tubs.
Looking to offer “contrast therapy,” the facility also will offer sauna services.
“Sauna is good for detoxifying and relieving stress,” Heck said. “In doing both the cold plunge and the sauna, it’s a workout for your circulatory system. Doing that back and forth creates a duality of benefits.”
A website is being developed.
Le Coq
The much-publicized Le Coq, a modern French steakhouse, is now open at 7837 Herschel Ave., which once housed the Herringbone restaurant.
Le Coq, named for the French dish coq au vin, is led by executive chef Tara Monsod, a top-five finalist for the James Beard Foundation’s 2024 Best Chef award for California. It is the final restaurant collaboration between business partners Christopher Puffer and Brian Malarkey.
Hours are 5-9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Learn more at lecoq.com.
Faherty
An empty storefront on Girard Avenue near Warwick’s bookstore has posted signs about its next tenant: Faherty.
The brand, founded by twin brothers Alex and Mike Faherty, describes itself as “sustainably minded.”
The business offers men’s, women’s and children’s clothes with a breezy aesthetic. One example is the striped linen La Jolla skirt.
Learn more at fahertybrand.com.
L55 Tacos + More
L55 Tacos, a new concept from Frank Vizcarra, founder of Michelin Bib Gourmand-honored Lola 55, will open in August at Westfield UTC mall, 4301 La Jolla Village Drive.
The 2,800-square-foot restaurant will serve Lola 55’s burritos, bowls and salads and a new lineup of gourmet tacos created by chef Daniel Soto, formerly of Michelin two-starred Pujol in Mexico City.
L55 Tacos + More will offer indoor and patio seating and a stand-alone bar.
Learn more at lola55.com.
Closures
Along with the many openings, there have been a few closures in La Jolla’s Village, notably the Benefit cosmetics store and Classic Burger, both of which were shuttered in late June.
Benefit Cosmetics Boutique & BrowBar manager Tristyn Osborne said the decision to close the store at 1001 Prospect St. was not made locally.
“It was unexpected and heartbreaking for us, but corporate doesn’t think this is the right location and is looking to find a location with more year-round foot traffic,” she said.
Classic Burger at 615 Pearl St. quickly shut down after announcing the closure on social media, citing hardships associated with day-to-day operations.
New hire
La Jolla-based AlphaCore has appointed Brian Habas as chief operating officer of the investment and wealth management company.
Habas will oversee operations, technology and strategic planning across AlphaCore’s business lines and functions.
Before joining AlphaCore, Habas spent more than 20 years in financial services at institutions such as 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 the La Jolla Light. Send your business news to staff writer Ashley Mackin-Solomon at ashleym@lajollalight.com. ◆
