Region experiences strong retail gains in 2014

It was a busy year for businesses in Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch and Carmel Mountain Ranch, with several well-known establishments closing and newcomers on the horizon.

In February, it was announced the Hooters restaurant was closing by month’s end and an Aloft Rancho Bernardo hotel — part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. — plus a couple restaurants would be constructed by HP Investors on its property that had Hooters and former Roadway Inn.

Months later HP Investors also purchased the adjacent Boardwalk Development office building property, making a larger combined parcel. The four- or five-story Aloft hotel is tentatively set to open in July 2016 at 16929 W. Bernardo Drive.

In April, Petco announced it is relocating its corporate headquarters to a 300,000-square-foot building at 10850 Via Frontera in the Rancho Bernardo Industrial Park, bringing around 650 employees from its Miramar and Scripps Ranch facilities. The building’s extensive renovations will tentatively be done by fall 2015.

Rancho Bernardo and Carmel Mountain Ranch Rubio’s restaurants were among the company’s first to be remodeled to reflect its brand evolution, a menu shift toward more coastal fare that emphasizes grilled seafood.

The Elephant Bar & Restaurant, a longtime dining option in Rancho Bernardo, closed in June, one of the company’s many closures as it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

In November, approximately 40 Rancho Bernardo-based real estate agents looked for new companies to join since Real Living Lifestyles closed. Employees and independent sales agents were notified on Nov. 6. Real Living’s RB office, one of seven in San Diego County, opened in April 2011. Many of those affected found positions in other local companies.

In The Plaza there have been a lot of changes. Barkley’s Pet Spa opened this spring, a storefront for owners Rodger and Angie Aladray’s mobile pet grooming business, Alopaw Mobile Pet Spa.

By September progress had been made on a 5,200-square-foot retail building being constructed between Big 5 Sporting Goods and Aaron Brothers Art & Framing. One of the building’s tenants is Starbucks, which closed in September after 20 years in the Vons Town Center. It is being replaced by a Peet’s Coffee & Tea.

Also in The Plaza, Warrior Elite Krav Maga was set to open this month and Windermere expanded its real estate office. Silvergate Medical opened and Eye Level Learning Center of Rancho Bernardo also planned to begin operations.

As for other Vons Town Center developments this year, Fast Frame closed as did the Pizza Hut, which relocated to The Mercado.

The owners of Carver’s Steaks & Chops announced they renewed the restaurant’s long-term lease at 11940 Bernardo Plaza Drive and plan to extensively renovate.

In November, Tandoori Express held its grand opening celebration in Rancho Bernardo’s High Country Plaza. The 1,200-square-foot restaurant in Suite 112 specializes in Indian food and replaces a pizza restaurant. It was announced Sushi on the Rocks is opening an express version to replace another sushi restaurant that left the 840-square-foot Suite 106. Nearby, Kelly’s Pub came under new management this summer.

High Country Plaza was also renovated this year, with its buildings repainted, parking lot resurfaced and walkway restored and new furniture installed.

It was learned this fall that by January the Tuesday Morning store next door to Sprouts will be closing in Bernardo Heights.

Over at Bernardo Winery, The Bag Cellar reopened on June 13 after being closed for a quick remodel. The store that specializes in handbags and accessories also launched a new jewelry line, Uno de 50.

In 4S Commons Town Center, Eighteen Eight Fine Men’s Salons opened in June, taking the place of Pure Barre, which closed in March. Ulta Beauty Supply also signed a lease for a 10,000-square-foot space next door to Cost Plus World Market. This summer Napizza opened in Suite 186, the second restaurant for owners Giulia Colmignoi and Christopher Antinucci, who have a Napizza in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood.

Over at the 4S Village Shopping Center it was announced that Carl’s Jr. would be opening in the former Union Bank of California. Green Spot Salad Company is also coming to Suite 109, taking the space that most recently was Pitas and Buns.

At Carmel Mountain Plaza, Jared The Galleria of Jewelry constructed a 5,000-square-foot store across from Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th. The jewelry store opened this fall. Next door a 4,000-square-foot building was constructed for Verizon Wireless. As for closures, they included Home Trends, Nickel City and TGI Fridays. It was also announced that by early 2015 Reading Cinemas would undergo extensive renovations.