By KC Stanfield

What do a frozen yogurt store, a barbershop, luxury apartments and a Medicare insurance broker all have in common? They’re all the new businesses recently opened in Mission Valley. Each business is less than four months old and brings its own unique service and style to the neighborhood.

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
1620 Camino de la Reina, Suite D
619-450-6294

Baskin Robbins needs to watch its back, because this frozen yogurt shop is another link in Menchie’s fast-growing chain. The new location has more than 100 rotating flavors and 70 rotating toppings. In addition to that, the yogurt is made from dairy not treated with artificial growth hormones.

“All of our yogurt has real product in it, so it if says ‘Sweet and Tangy Peach-Mango,’ there’s actually peach and mango inside the product,” said Scott Turner, owner of the Mission Valley shop. “We’re definitely known for customer service, and we refer to all our customers as guests, because we want to treat them like guests.”

Menchie’s also has non-dairy, no-sugar-added, low-carb flavors. Turner also says Menchie’s is launching a frozen yogurt cake program that is still in its trial stage.

Every month at Menchie’s brings a special flavor. March is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and April will be carrot orange and pomegranate acai.

Floyd’s 99 Barbershop
5658 Mission Center Road, Suite 306
619-487-1014

This rock ‘n’ roll barbershop is for everyone who has hair. Stylists are encouraged to show their individual personality through fashion, hairstyles and taste in music. As for the music, customers at Floyd’s 99 can hear Frank Sinatra followed by Tool and everything in between.

Rock ‘n’ roll barbershops are popular because of the fun atmosphere, said Joslan Kamai, manager of the Mission Valley shop.

“You’re hearing fun music, you’re getting a great conversation, a great haircut. Everybody needs a great haircut,” Kamai said.

“It is a privilege to be a part of the brand’s growth in the San Diego market,” franchisee Jon Roise said in a press release. “My team and I are excited to provide the local community with another convenient location to experience our old-school client service and one-of-a-kind atmosphere. We are looking forward to becoming the regular spot where Mission Valley residents can stop in for quality haircuts at a value price.”

This is the third Floyd’s 99 Barbershop in San Diego. The Mission Valley shop is offering half-price haircuts until March 27.

Civita’s West Park Apartments
7777 Westside Drive
619-223-7777

West Park, a luxury apartment complex at Civita, has begun to take in tenants. Most of the planned 612-unit project is still under construction, but it still has amenities for those looking for a luxurious lifestyle.

As of now, there are 89 apartments available in the first phase of building. The list of amenities includes a 22-seat theater with stadium seating and lounge chairs, a game room and roof deck lounges with outdoor TVs. West Park will also install Wi-Fi throughout most common areas, a dog washing station, bicycle workshop space, three saltwater pools, a private jogging trail and a 10,000-square-foot fitness club.

“With West Park, we’re setting a new standard of luxury apartment living in San Diego County,” Marco A. Sessa, senior vice president of Sudberry Properties, developer of West Park and the surrounding urban community of Civita, said in a press release. “Our apartments, which range from loft-style studios to three-bedroom, two-bath flats, reflect our determination to fuse style, sustainability and comfort.”

Relion Insurance Solutions
858-999-2858

Relion Insurance Solutions is a new independent brokerage that started up at the beginning of this year for seniors and anyone else eligible for Medicare. Relion provides free advice, refers each person to an insurance company and acts as the point of contact when clients need to get in touch with their insurance company. It gets commission from the insurance companies, so all the services are free for clients.

Owner Diane Waggoner converted her agency, Diane Waggoner Insurance Solutions, because the teaching element that a broker has with a client was missing, she said.

“I became independent because I don’t feel you can serve the seniors’ needs if your work is a proprietary agent for one company … not every plan works for every person,” said Waggoner. “I’ve always felt that if you work for a company and you’re only selling their products, then you’re short-changing your clients.”

As an independent brokerage, Waggoner can pick out the best insurance provider depending on each person’s circumstances and preferences. During the past eight years of her career, she had more than 1,500 clients.

Waggoner can be reached by email at [email protected].