The stretch of blocks on La Jolla Boulevard in WindanSea between Nautilus Street on the north and Via Del Norte on the south offers an array of businesses and services, everything from the La Jolla Community Center to restaurants, boutiques, mom and pops — even a new brew pub.
One of the stalwart businesses in this block section is Eight Elements West, at 6830 La Jolla Blvd.
“I’ve been in WindanSea in the same location for 30, years and my business thrives because, like most local businesses, we help people in the neighborhood have a sense of community,” said Gloria Gonzalez, Eight Elements’ CCO/founder. “La Jolla has always had a good sense of itself as a close community. This craving for community is growing online like weeds, and it shows up in our businesses as the atmospheres we create to fill our clients’ need to hang out or meet up with like minds … Spaces are more textured and natural, more open, lending an invitation to slow down, relax and get back into relationship with ourselves and others — maybe even talk instead of text.”
Gonzalez noted that WindanSea “has made welcome changes” with the introduction of neighborhood eats like Vahik’s cafe, The Promiscuous Fork and La Jolla Tap & Grill. She added her “dream” is for “a WindanSea neighborhood redevelopment identity, a brand, in the style of most new redevelopments, creating an invitation for foot traffic, a sense of living in community, an urban space filled with relaxed activities in which to be involved, a good reason to part from our computers, TVs and phones and get up and out.”
Gonzalez added it’s becoming clear that “old concepts of brick and mortar need to change in order to thrive.”
A community hub, and a mainstay in this neighborhood, is La Jolla Community Center, at 6811 La Jolla Blvd.
“It’s great being on LJ Boulevard between busy downtown and beautiful Bird Rock,” said the center’s executive director, Nancy Walters. “We have many members who walk over to the center, so it’s convenient for many.”
One thing Walters would like to see is traffic slowing on the boulevard, “not only for pedestrian safety but for the businesses around, including us, that don’t get noticed by the thousands of cars that pass by daily.” For decades, the community center, formerly the Riford Center, has been La Jolla’s place for learning, wellness, friendship and social activities for all adults. Today, the center is operated and sustained as a nonprofit supported by members, volunteers and contributors. Through generous donations in recent years, the center has been significantly updated and enhanced. With a variety of classes ranging from cooking to language and writing courses, and zumba to yoga, there is something for everyone to do at the community center. Meanwhile, Jared Wells, of Wells Academic Solutions, at 6830 La Lolla Blvd., Suite 204, said of his learning center, “Wells Academic Solutions has been providing exceptional academic support for La Jolla families since 1994 in the areas of tutoring, test preparation, study skills, and academic counseling.”
Native Londoner David Collett, of Take 2 Ladies Consignment Boutique, at 6786 La Jolla Blvd., said he’s been at his current location for four years and loves it. “It’s a great area with top-name clothes,” Collett said. “I get a lot of wonderful consignments and a lot of wonderful customers.” Collett said most of the ladies who shop in his boutique are in the 20-to-45 age range. His mostly upscale clothing costs anywhere from a few dollars to $1,000 or more. He said consigners get 40 percent of their item’s sale price. He added he gets lots of tourist traffic with hotels in the area, like Holiday Inn across the street, in the process of building an addition, and Travelodge, right around the corner, at 6750 La Jolla Blvd. Collett noted the area has been invigorated with the recent addition of La Jolla Tap & Grill at 6830 La Jolla Blvd., No. 103. Located above world-famous WindanSea beach, La Jolla Tap & Grill is a purveyor of Coastal Americana dining, offering 30 different beers on tap and a wine selection with something for everyone. “La Jolla Tap and Grill’s interior reflects a clean industrial space while maintaining the comfortable warm ambience found at home,” said the eatery’s website, noting its 2,100-square-foot restaurant offers the choice to observe passersby in the warm sunlight of its patio or be “surrounded by TVs at the bar” while trying to choose between 30 beers on tap. Those not wanting to be on the patio or at the bar can opt can try one of the tables in the establishment’s open-kitchen dining room. The Mandarin House, at 6765 La Jolla Blvd., continues to serve up the finest in Asian cuisine.
“The Mandarin House has been La Jolla’s ‘go-to’ spot for exceptional Chinese since 1977,” says the estabishment’s website. “With dishes that range from light and healthy (Moo Goo Gai Pan w/Brown Rice) to crispy and spicy (Orange Chicken), we’ve got something for everyone. We’ve sold thousands of our Kung Pao Chicken, Crispy Beef, Popcorn Shrimp and our assortment of House made eggrolls, wontons and fried or steamed dumplings. Come taste La Jolla’s & Pacific Beach’s favorite Chinese.”
Other businesses in this block section include but are not limited to Sunset West Development, Inc., La Clochette Coffee Shop, Nia Yoga Pilates, Mark Bucon Design Architect, Bellini Beauty Bar, Sun’s Barber Salon, Café Vahik and Sea Breeze Vacation Rentals.