As the summer fades into fall, a handful of businesses have or are landing in La Jolla. Here’s a look at some of the newcomers in August and September.
Mahj Theory Collective
As the Chinese tile game of Mahjong grows in popularity in the United States, La Jolla now has its own dedicated club for it.
Mahj Theory Collective first opened its doors on Aug. 12 at 7863 Girard Ave. and offers memberships, tournaments, special events and leagues, as well as drop-in open play and lessons for different skill levels.
The two-hour, open play sessions offer equipment as well as light bites, non-alcoholic beverages and a glass of champagne. The space can be booked for private parties, corporate events, charity events and more.
Open play sessions cost $35 per person and memberships range from $99-299 per month. Reserved parking is available for $5 all day at 875 Prospect St., two blocks from the studio.
The studio is run by the mother-daughter team of Deb and Sam Solomon. Deb is a La Jolla native who graduated from La Jolla High School in 1984. The Solomon family also owns and operates The Pastrami Stand, which is open every Sunday at the La Jolla Open Aire Farmers Market.
Learn more: mahjtheorycollective.com
Bird Rock Athletic Club
A luxury fitness hub in Bird Rock opened its doors on Sept. 1, ushering in the new month of business openings in La Jolla.
Bird Rock Athletic Club is a luxury fitness and wellness facility located at 5721 La Jolla Blvd. The private club employs a limited membership model so that clients have a more exclusive, less crowded training experience.
The club offers open gym access, along with personal training, private Pilates lessons, and a recovery and wellness area.
Owner Mike Divine said the space also offers members a handful of amenities from an infrared/red-light sauna, recovery tools and heated hydromassages.
“We’re especially proud of the overall environment we’ve created,” Divine said. “Rather than feeling like a traditional commercial gym, Bird Rock Athletic Club has been designed to feel elevated, welcoming, and intentionally private — a place where members can train, recover and invest in their long-term health all under one roof.”
Learn more: birdrockathleticclub.com
Tina Krohn Photo Studio and Gallery
The Village of La Jolla’s newest photo studio and gallery offers not just photography services, but also exhibitions that change every other month.
Tina Krohn Photo Studio and Gallery opens Saturday, Sept. 19 at 1110 Torrey Pines Road. The La Jolla location joins Krohn’s studios in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.
Krohn describes her work as “European portrait and editorial (photography) — creating stylish, unexpected images of people with a polished, cinematic edge.” The gallery and studio offers editorial and portrait photoshoots for businesses and individuals, as well as a revolving door of photography exhibitions.
The first of such exhibitions comes from San Diego artist Rebecca Webb, who will showcase her desert photography and a series of bright, pop-art-inspired oversized prints of cacti.
Webb’s curatorial and project managing experience includes curating “San Diego: The Architecture of Four Ecologies” at what was then known as the La Jolla Historical Society. She also pitched and curated UC San Diego’s Filmatic Festival, which ran from 2014 to 2016.
Learn more at tinakrohnphoto.com.
La Jolla Perfume & Cologne
Although its outdoor sign has yet to go up and there are still some final touches going into the interior, La Jolla Perfume & Cologne is open for business.
The business at 7606 Girard Ave. held a soft opening on Aug. 1 and management expects to host a grand opening once their outdoor sign is up.
La Jolla Perfume & Cologne carries a selection of perfume from carriers Amouage, Memo Paris, Ormonde Jayne and Nishane, among others. Co-owner Adriana Herrman says her specialty are niche fragrances.
“Perfume can be very personal, and there’s simply no substitute for smelling it on your own skin and having someone help you navigate the choices without pressure,” said Herrman, whose husband and business partner Henry runs the business with her.
Learn more: lajollaperfume.com
Mr. Moto Pizza
A soft opening took place on Aug. 1 for the Mr. Moto Pizza chain’s newest location at 8935 Towne Center Drive, near the Westfield UTC shopping center.
Mr. Moto Pizza was launched in Pacific Beach in 2015 and has branched out to Little Italy, Seaport Village, Point Loma, North Park and Mission Valley. Mr. Moto Pizza also had a location at 617 Pearl St. in La Jolla’s Village from 2018 to 2022. The store was replaced by Pizza on Pearl upon its closure and hasn’t been in the La Jolla area since.
The September Pizza of the Month is “The Extraordinary Chicklet,” which includes chicken sausage, jalapenos, crispy onion and buffalo-infused ricotta cheese.
Barbarella
Popular La Jolla Shores eatery Barbarella Restaurant & Bar has a new executive chef at its helm in Oakland native Shawn Washington.
Washington was brought on board this summer, after years in the San Diego restaurant scene. And, according to restaurant management, “He’s already bringing a whole new wave of flavors, energy and vibrancy to the wood fired pizzas you know and love” and adding new meat and seafood dishes to the Barbarella menu.
His San Diego resume includes training under chefs Steven Lona and Moira Hatfield at Waterbar; helping open and develop concepts including Bun & Patti, Rosemarie’s, and Nova San Diego; and serving as Ironside Fish & Oyster’s executive sous chef.
“Every kitchen and chef along the way has shaped my approach, and I now bring that experience to Barbarella with a new vision and concept focused on pushing the needle, elevating the guest experience, and creating an unforgettable dining destination,” Washington told the La Jolla Light.