Shuttered for nearly a year, China Inn in Pacific Beach will be redeveloped as another restaurant; though it’s new owners are disclosing few details.
“I purchased the assets of the China Inn,” said Mark Oliver, who was once part of the executive team at George’s La Jolla. “It is going to be a concept that is more upscale than most restaurants are that service PB.”
Oliver added he’s “pretty sure 99 percent of people in the community will welcome us as a nice addition. We’re not going to be one of the bars all the kids go to and that PB is famous for.”
Oliver previously was involved with Mission Valley’s Randy Jones All American Sports Grill, which closed last June. He has been searching for a new coastal “opportunity” to invest in.
Oliver is the general partner in the new restaurant venture along with a group of local investors whom he said “all live within a very short distance” from the property.
Oliver pointed out his new restaurant concept will appeal to a broad spectrum of the market.
“We understand there’s a need for a nice place to dine for the tourists who stay in the hotels around us,” he said. “We certainly will look to cater toward the adult local population, as well as the tourists in the hotels.”
Oliver said the 5,900-square-foot corner property at 877 Hornblend St. will be “totally remodeled.”
Two local architectural firms, Golba Archicture Inc. of Pacific Beach and David Robinson Design of Bird Rock, have been engaged, respectively, to handle exterior and interior design of the soon-to-be refurbished building.
“We are designing the architecture for the new restaurant,” said Tim Golba. “It will include a fairly significant remodel to the outside for the new theme and of course, the inside layout as well. David Robinson will be handling the interior design itself.”
Realtor Paul Ahern, of Location Matters, helped facilitate the China Inn transaction. He noted there has been a growing demand from the Pacific Beach community for “alternative higher-quality dining options in recent years that restaurateurs have begun picking up on.”
News of a higher-end restaurant coming into town was greeted warmly by at least some in Pacific Beach.
“PB needs more real restaurants — those who serve all ages without a bouncer at the door,” said Eve Anderson, a longtime member of the Pacific Beach Planning Group.
Anderson said there will be one key “sign” indicating what type of restaurant the new facility on Hornblend is going to be.
“If they close at 2 a.m., then that ‘restaurant’ morphs into a bar at night,” she said adding, “A real, bonafide, eating establishment, which serves far more food than beer or wine, would probably close around 11 p.m. when the last dinner patrons finish dessert and wander away.” China Inn closed at the end of March 2014 when previous owners Andy and Judy Kam’s lease expired and negotiations for an extension were unsuccessful. The Kam’s had operated the Chinese restaurant on the corner of Hornblend and Cass since 1988. Their establishment was known for its authenticity in food and atmosphere. A real draw was their Tiki bar boasting Polynesian drinks like the Mai-Tai, Scopion and Volcano.
If all goes well with design, planning and permitting, Oliver said the new as-yet-to-be-named restaurant could “begin construction in May.” That, he said, should take about six months and be ready for an opening in “October or November.”
The entrepreneur said he will be more forthcoming with details about his restaurant concept “once the chef is brought on board.”
A year ago, The Beach & Bay Press reported that The Green Flash, at 701 Thomas Ave. on the boardwalk, was changing ownership and that China Inn was closing.
The Green Flash, owned by the Gemora family and named for the green-spot optical phenomenon occurring just before or after sunset, was sold to Michael Bezarra, who also owns Cabo Cantina and PB Cantina.
That restaurant has since reopened as Baja Beach Café, a sports bar and eatery offering Mexican food and known for its margaritas.