Westfield UTC Adds 70,000-Square-Foot Luxury Wing as True Food Kitchen Files for Bankruptcy

Westfield University Town Center opened a 70,000-square-foot luxury wing last month.

The new section occupies the former site of Nordstrom and nearby stores. It features high-profile brands including Chanel, Tom Ford, Hermès, and Saint Laurent. Ryan Perry, the senior general manager at Westfield UTC, described the change as “a new era of UTC” in a statement. Perry said the expansion reflects a commitment to creating places where people connect through shared experiences.

Not all tenants at the mall are expanding. True Food Kitchen filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Arizona-based chain is closing a dozen stores nationwide, including its location at Westfield UTC. The UTC restaurant closed on Oct. 4. The chain’s first San Diego location, at Fashion Valley, remains open. It is one of 34 restaurants across 14 states that will continue operating.

Nathan Cook, the company’s chief restructuring officer, attributed the financial struggles to strategic missteps. Cook wrote that successive leadership teams invested capital outside core market areas. He noted that new product lines and restaurant concepts were unsuccessful. Several restaurants faced lower-than-anticipated foot and driving traffic. Others were impacted by changing market forces and demographics, leading to steady decreases in profitability.

Meanwhile, new businesses are opening in La Jolla. Shio La Jolla opened at 2259 Avenida de la Playa in La Jolla Shores. The Japanese restaurant took over the former Sandpiper Restaurant space. It held a grand opening on Oct. 24. The menu includes sushi rolls, nigiri, sashimi, and noodle dishes. A signature dish is the hon toro tadaki, which features five pieces of seared bluefin tuna belly with truffle ponzu and crispy onions. The Tasting Shio menu costs $200 and requires a minimum of two people. The restaurant is open 5-9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

The Bunny Hive will open this month at 5670 La Jolla Blvd. in Bird Rock. It is the first location in San Diego for the children’s social club. The facility offers 30-minute classes for children up to age five, including art, ballet, and culinary exploration. Classes begin on Nov. 16. That day starts a preview week where all classes are free and open to the public. A grand opening is scheduled for Nov. 21. Memberships are for the entire family. An introductory eight-class pass costs $225 per month and requires a three-month commitment.

Brenda Viola is taking orders for her Fa La La Store. The online retailer sells holiday apparel with the tagline “Hometown Pride (and) Holiday Spirit.” Viola moved to San Diego in 2022 and created the brand after remarking to her family that La Jolla felt like a Hallmark movie during Christmastime. Her cousin suggested the name “Fa La La La Jolla.” Viola will host a Black Friday event from 9 a.m. to noon on Nov. 27 in the lobby of the Life Time fitness center at 1055 Wall St. She also plans a booth at the La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival on Dec. 6.