With fall having arrived, three new businesses recently opened in La Jolla from Bird Rock to The Village.
Here’s a look.
Flexcore Pilates
Owner Kassandra Sanchez hopes people will come to her new Bird Rock business for the movement and stay for the community.
Flexcore Pilates had its grand opening Sept. 17 at 5628 La Jolla Blvd.
Sanchez said she made the transition from the accounting world to Pilates as she sought to ground herself. Seeing the impact Pilates has had on her life, she pursued certification in Reformer and mat Pilates, the latter of which she is bringing to La Jolla.
“I wanted to create a space where people could step away from the busy pace of life and just focus on themselves, even if it’s just for an hour,” Sanchez said. “Flexcore is more than a place to work out. It’s a place to belong.”
In celebration of its opening, Flexcore Pilates is offering deals to newcomers, who can try two mat classes for $30 or a month of unlimited mat classes for $99.
Learn more at flexcorepilatesstudio.com.
Bret Webster Gallery
Following a ribbon-cutting event Sept. 4, La Jolla’s newest art gallery has officially opened at 1241 Prospect St.
Bret Webster Gallery presents Webster’s photographic art in the heart of The Village. It is the third gallery of its kind, with other locations in Park City, Utah, and Las Vegas.
“I have loved La Jolla for many, many years,” Webster said. “In fact, nearly 20 years ago when I was first starting to do juried art shows, the very first one I ever traveled to was La Jolla. I guess I am completing the circuit and coming home in a way.”
Mark Caviston, the La Jolla gallery manager, said he is thrilled to contribute to La Jolla’s art community, especially with Webster.
“It’s refreshing to represent an artist who is happy to meet visitors, genuinely consider location suggestions, and overall affect people so positively,” Caviston said. “And La Jolla couldn’t be a better beach town to warmly open our doors.”
Bret Webster Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Find out more at bretwebsterimages.com.
Lena Trotsko Atelier & Boutique
Lena Trotsko’s fashion career started at age 15 and has spanned runways, philanthropic leadership and cultural ambassadorships since establishing herself in Moscow.
Now, her Lena Trotsko Atelier & Boutique at 7703 Fay Ave. in La Jolla offers custom tailoring, prom dresses, evening gowns and more, blending “couture craftsmanship with a personal touch,” she said.
The boutique, which officially opened Sept. 21, also is a platform for local designers and artisans including kimonos from Galina Schoettger and handcrafted hats from Diana Cavagnaro.
Trotsko also is considering introducing sewing and design lessons for children.
Her community work includes membership in Patrons of the Prado, an organization that supports art, science and cultural centers in San Diego’s Balboa Park, as well as educational programs in greater San Diego.
A committee she was part of, Bucks4Buses, raised $8,000 for cultural field trips last year through the Fashion4Futures Fashion Show at the San Diego History Center.
Learn more about Trotsko and her business at lenatrotsko.com.
New at UTC mall
Gen Korean BBQ, an Asian sit-down restaurant chain, has a grand-opening event scheduled for 3 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at its new location near Macy’s at the Westfield UTC mall at 4373 La Jolla Village Drive.
The event will feature free dinners for the first 100 guests, 50% off for the next 100 and 25% off for the next 100. There also will be raffle prizes and welcome gifts.
The restaurant offers cook-your-own platters of meats, seafood and vegetables with banchan (small side dishes and snacks). For more details, visit genkoreanbbq.com.
Le Coq chef to help cook for Beard Foundation dinner
Two-time James Beard Award finalist Tara Monsod, executive chef of Le Coq in La Jolla and Animae in downtown San Diego, will be among three of the area’s most acclaimed chefs sharing the kitchen for a James Beard Foundation dinner in New York City.
Robert Alcocer, founder and executive chef of the Michelin-starred Valle restaurant in Oceanside, and Eric Bost, executive chef of Michelin-starred restaurants Lilo and Jeune et Jolie in Carlsbad, also are on the team for the Collab Dinner: A Taste of SoCal Cuisine on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
The dinner at New York’s Pier 57 will raise money for Beard Foundation programs.
— San Diego Union-Tribune staff writer Pam Kragen 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. ♦