With the beginning of summer, a series of business shakeups is coming to La Jolla.
A handful of new restaurants are coming soon. One store recently closed its doors and another business expanded its presence.
Meanwhile, a vaunted local restaurant was formally recognized with Michelin star status.
Here’s a look at the latest happenings.
Goop Kitchen
UC San Diego continues to develop its campus, including its culinary options.
One of the newest additions is Goop Kitchen, a restaurant chain founded by actress Gwyneth Paltrow. It’s expected to debut this fall at UCSD’s new Triton Center.
Goop Kitchen offers salads, soups, pasta, pizza, “organic, free-range, antibiotic-free and air-chilled” rotisserie chicken and “sustainably sourced” Norwegian salmon. Its foods are gluten-free, with no refined sugar or preservatives.
The restaurant chain is part of Paltrow’s Goop business, which also sells beauty, wellness, clothing and lifestyle products. The restaurants, which for about five years have been concentrated in Orange and Los Angeles counties, are spreading fast, with new locations in the Bay Area and New York City as well as San Diego.
The Triton Center has spaces for alumni, student health, arts, leisure and retail.
UCSD spokeswoman Melinda Battenberg told the La Jolla Light that two other tenants soon will be part of the Triton Center: Jeff’s Beach Burgers and Intermission Cafe. Additional details have not been announced.
Also opening soon
Shio La Jolla is coming to 2259 Avenida de la Playa, the former location of Sandpiper Restaurant.
The upcoming Japanese restaurant explained its name, which means “salt” in Japanese, in a social media post: “Simple yet essential, salt is what brings every dish together, enhancing flavor, creating balance and elevating the smallest details.”
The opening date has not yet been announced but is expected to be this summer.
Also slated to open is Myka Greek Frozen Yogurt. A “coming soon” sign is at 1274 Prospect St. Additional details were not announced.
For updates and more information, go to @myka_greek.usa on Instagram or visit mykagreek.com.
Myka Greek Frozen Yogurt is on its way to La Jolla. (Noah Lyons)
AlphaCore expansion
La Jolla’s AlphaCore Wealth Advisory just got bigger.
The independent firm acquired Colorado-based Elk River Wealth Management, a seven-person team that managed approximately $1 billion in assets.
Dick Pfister, founder and chief executive of AlphaCore, said the acquisition is in line with his company’s vision of “an enduring boutique wealth management firm” with a “premier client experience.”
Dick Pfister’s La Jolla-based AlphaCore Wealth Advisory acquired Colorado-based Elk River Wealth Management. (AlphaCore Wealth Advisory)
“Our investment in top-tier talent and leadership in Denver applies the same playbook that made San Diego a success,” he said. “We believe we are positioned in the market to be the premier destination for clients and talent alike.”
The combined company will have more than 120 employees serving clients across the country. Areas of expertise include tax strategy and preparation, philanthropic planning, family governance, concentrated risk management and trust and estate review.
Learn more about AlphaCore at alphacore.com.
PetSmart closure
The PetSmart store at 8657 Villa La Jolla Drive closed June 28.
PetSmart’s PetsHotel & Doggie Day Camp closed earlier, with its final day camp May 10 and final pet boarding May 18.
PetsHotel & Doggie Day Camp said in a social media post that it “was not a light decision” to close.
PetSmart officials could not be reached for comment about the reasons for the closure.
Michelin recognizes La Jolla restaurant
Elijah Arizmendi, leader of Lucien restaurant in La Jolla, dons a white jacket upon being awarded a Michelin star during a ceremony June 24 in San Diego. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Lucien, a California-inspired tasting-menu restaurant that opened last July at 7863 Girard Ave. in La Jolla, was crowned June 24 as San Diego’s newest Michelin-starred restaurant at the Michelin Guide’s 2026 California star awards ceremony in downtown San Diego.
— 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 Noah Lyons at noah.lyons@lajollalight.com. ♦