This first week of January, I’m pondering New Year’s resolutions and goals.
Over the last year, two legacy business owners — Baja Sonora’s Mary Sophie and Jeannette Architects’ Robert and Jeff Jeannette — made it their mission to retire. And with the year officially at its close, they’ve all succeeded.
I sat down with them to learn about their careers, and what they’ve got planned moving into 2026. .
Mary Sophie, Baja Sonora
Q: Tell me about the restaurant’s history.
A: “Baja Sonora started 28 years ago. I briefly owned the airport deli across the street from Time Square Center with another individual and we had the idea of opening a Mexican restaurant.
There was an empty store in Time Square Center and my partner Mike Mendelsohn, and I remodeled the area completely, doing most of the work ourselves. We opened March 28, 1998 in the 1,000 square-foot area that we were leasing.
Wilson High athletes post with tacos in front of Baja Sonora. (Photo courtesy Mary Sophie).
Baja Sonora owner Mary Sophie poses with staff in the restaurant. (Photo courtesy Mary Sophie).
Baja Sonora owner Mary Sophie (left) celebrates the restaurant’s 25th anniversary with Mayor Rex Richardson (right). (Photo courtesy Mary Sophie).
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Wilson High athletes post with tacos in front of Baja Sonora. (Photo courtesy Mary Sophie).
After being open for approximately six months, Jennie Douglas of the Press-Telegram wrote a beautiful article in the Cheers Section, and our business exploded.
A few years later, Mike had the idea of taking over the space next door to us as we were outgrowing our space.
At that point we were able to open the salsa bar that has become so popular — and this is Baja Sonora today.
Baja Sonora allowed me the avenue to begin my involvement with giving back to the community that I love. My motivation was twofold: To put Baja Sonora’s name out in the community while at the same time giving all I was able to give back to Long Beach, my home.”
Q: What has given you the strength to overcome the challenges of running a small business?
A: “I have, over the years, always found my strength from other people. My activity in the Long Beach community has always been a passion of mine. My belief in God and my sobriety has continued to push me forward.”
Q: Where are your go-to places to eat?
A: “If I want a wonderful and consistent breakfast, I go to Schooner or Later, and/or The Small Cafe in Naples. For lunch, I usually have one of my favorites at Baja Sonora — the deep-fried tacos. For dinner, some of my favorites are the salmon salad at The Boat House, Mary’s Chicken at Nico’s, and the pizza at Marlena’s. Long Beach has so many fantastic restaurants, I could go on and on.”
Jeff and Roberta Jeannette, Jeannette Architects
Q: How did you meet, and how did you come to work together?
A: “We first met at the University of Arizona College of Architecture orientation, while still in high school. Jeff looked at Roberta and thought she’s cute and asked where she was from. Being from Chicago, Roberta looked at Jeff and said, dang, he’s short! Her at 4’10 and him at 5’2, seeing eye to eye with someone was rare for us both.
We soon became best friends, but sparks didn’t start flying till our second year of architecture school. After graduation, we moved to Costa Mesa for work but in 2000, Jeff started Jeannette Architects out of our 1922 Craftsman one-car garage in Long Beach.
In 2006 we built a modern, sustainable home of concrete block, glass and steel with an office attached. After having our two boys, Roberta joined the firm around 2007 and has been an integral partner in the family business since.”
Q: How many homes have you designed or remodeled?
A: “It’s more than 900 homes in 25 years. I can remember the personal relationship with each family along with their floor plan and story for design.”
Q: Why have you decided to retire now?
A: “We’re both looking to relax from the daily pressures of running a successful residential architectural firm. We’ve enjoyed the interactions with our Long Beach community and architecture connections over the years. We’ve given 200% of ourselves over the last 25 years and are looking to relax.
Jeff and Roberta Jeannette of Jeannette Architects. (Photo courtesy of the Jeannette family).
Jeff and Roberta Jeannette with their two sons. (Photo courtesy of the Jeannette family).
A home designed by Jeannette Architects. (Photo courtesy of the Jeannette family).
A home designed by Jeannette Architects. (Photo courtesy of the Jeannette family).
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Jeff and Roberta Jeannette of Jeannette Architects. (Photo courtesy of the Jeannette family).
With our current workload and drive to see every project to completion, we’re expecting full retirement of the firm around a year and a half from now.”
Q: What are your next steps?
A: “Jeff plans to sleep for a year. He really wants to feel what it’s like to be bored and enjoy his hobbies including mountain and road biking, sabot sailing, flying remote control planes, and reading. He’s looking forward to traveling with Roberta and doing anything we wish, whenever we want.
It’ll be great to be able to really take care of ourselves and not feel selfish. Time spent cooking and hiking, being outside together, as well as truly growing old with each other.
We’re looking forward to spending time at our Mid-Century Modern home in Palm Springs we bought and restored in 2009. Having met in Tucson, the desert is our home away from home. We also plan to travel, with Japan and a western states road trip on the horizon.
Spending time with our sons — wherever they may be — is our plan, as long as it’s theirs too.”
Q: Do you have special memories of working with clients to design unique solutions for everyday living?
A: “Meeting new people and designing homes has been my passion as an architect. Listening intently to comprehend a family’s needs is the foundation of any successful project. Sitting across the table from homeowners with a blank sheet of paper and pen while sketching on-the-fly solutions to make living in their homes more comfortable, is exhilarating.
Their involvement and excitement being part of the design process is a special memory. Renovating a home or designing a new one is a giant puzzle with many moving parts, each with its own challenges. I thoroughly enjoy helping complete that puzzle through construction and guide our coworkers and clients through the multitude of decisions.
Every project is its own three-dimensional puzzle and the gratitude on client’s faces when they move in is my greatest reward.”
Q: What impressed me the most about your own home was that the design was pleasing and comfortable — yet practical.
A: “We’ve always appreciated and understood the benefits of good design. When the pieces fit perfectly in a home, you have time to enjoy the spaces both inside and out. We were guinea pigs with our home, testing what worked and what didn’t, and how to improve your quality of life. It’s about how well things work, as well as how they look. You shouldn’t compromise on either.”
Q: What are your favorite buildings in Long Beach?
Jeff: “One of my favorites has always been the Killingsworth Marina Tower Model Home on Ocean Boulevard in Bluff Park. The simplicity of architectural and structural design, floor plan, and transparency with glass make this home a work of art. How Killingsworth detailed the glass sliding doors and windows to disappear into the floor and ceiling demonstrate the creative beauty that defines Mid-Century Modern architecture. Similarly, the Cliff May Rancho homes are special little gems hidden in our Long Beach community.
Roberta: “I really like the sculptured panels on the main building at Poly High School. Their focus on historic men and women were meant to inspire students, or at least subliminally encourage them to appreciate their surroundings. The Rancho Los Alamitos’s gardens are also a favorite. The Spanish details and the cactus garden are especially appreciated, since this Chicago girl didn’t grow up with them.”