June 13, 2013
Overload Skate Shop has announced via Twitter that they're re-locating to the old Pigment location on 30th Street, next door to Urban Solace, bringing the hip clothing shop higher visibility in the hood. Looks like they'll have a July opening.
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SD Eater is reporting that Caffé Calabria will be bringing a gelato window (FINALLY) to their homage to all things Italian location on 30th Street. Initially they won't be making their own gelato, but we wouldn't be surprised if Arne decides to do it his way (which tends to be fantastic) at some point.
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May 30, 2013
Looks like the Jack in the Box at 30th and Upas is getting a major face lift. While earlier plans had called for an expansion of square footage and redirection of traffic (which were nixed by city planning), the current activity includes keeping the same footprint while overhauling the interior, and moving trash bins.
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A new design and footwear shop called Gym Standard is getting ready to open this summer at the corner of 30th and El Cajon Boulevard.
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Furniture store Grace-ful Living at 2852 University Avenue has announced they're re-locating to Encinitas and are having a moving sale. Call 619-399-3460 for more information.
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Two open houses for the Mid-City Rapid Bus Project are coming up (one on June 10, the other on June 13). This is a project that could have a large impact along the El Cajon and Park Boulevard thoroughfares, and needs community input to ensure a balance is achieved between area-wide transit and neighborhood needs. See SANDAG's website for details on the open houses.
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May 27, 2013
Pigment has opened their new location at 3801 30th Street (corner of North Park Way). The new space is 2-3 times larger than their prior location three doors north. The new space gives them more room for furniture and lots more things to spend your dinero on!
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Jonathan Segal has begun a blog documenting the progress of his new development located at Upas and 30th, The North Parker Lofts. There's also an in-depth story on the starchitect over at Pillar to Post.
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A few blocks north, Foundation For Form's You Got Mail project at the old post office on North Park Way is in the framing stage. Keep track of progress on their project on their Facebook page.
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May 4, 2013
A rendering for The North Parker Lofts has been posted over at SD Urban's website. Looks like there will be overhangs on the first floor that will provide shade for outdoor dining.
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April 26, 2013
A new burger lounge called Hubcap has replaced El Take It Easy. After a quick visual refresh, changing out some of the wood exterior for shiny metal and some new paint, the restaurant launched on April 23rd. The menu includes a selection of burgers (beef and vegi), salads, and cocktails (sadly we don't see a requisite milkshake listed). We tried the burgers and found them extremely good.
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Stopped by the new Pigment location this past weekend and Chad (co-owner) mentioned they hope to be open within 10 days, which would land around May 8. They've completed refurbishment of the exterior stucco and plan to add 3 living walls to finish it off. The interior space, which looks to be double or triple the size of their current location, is looking fantastic as well.
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April 22, 2013
Project Updates: In preparation for the new North Parker Lofts, the demolition of the building at 30th & Upas (where Pat's used to be) has commenced. Most of the structures are already flattened. Target opening date for the lofts and ground-level retail is Fall of 2014.
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Foundation for Form's development at the old post office at Grim is moving along at a clip, with foundation and framing already far along.
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Pigment's relocation continues, with the exterior of the building at 30th & North Park Way getting an application of stucco over the weekend.
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March 14, 2013

A tipster sent us word that Belching Beaver Brewery is getting ready to open an outpost at 4223 30th Street near Crazee Burger.
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Apparently they've been open for nearly a year, but a tipster also just let us know of a new neighborhood store named Ripe North Park, located at 3302 32nd Street, between Thorn and Upas Streets. Reviews on Yelp for their deli (with Boar's Head meats) are good. We'll definitely be checking them out soon!
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February 9, 2013
The 17th Annual 2013 North Park Festival for the Arts has been set for Saturday, May 18th.
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Demolition of the parking lot behind the North Park Post Office has begun, with machinery prepping the development for 5,000 square feet of retail space and 32 apartments in a 4 story building. See the Project Tracker below for additional details.
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We heard a rumor that influx is eyeing one of the new retail spaces on the bottom floor of the North Park Lofts, at 30th and Upas. See more details of this development at the Project Tracker below.
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February 6, 2013
North Park recently had new recycling cans, branded with signage that echo the North Park sign, installed throughout the neighborhood. It's another example of the Sustainable North Park initiative being coordinated by North Park Main Street. Good job!
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January 22, 2013
Swoon Dessert Bar has announced their grand opening for February 9, 2013, from 6-9pm. Located at 3139 University Avenue, in the Art Produce building, the fabulous new space is designed so customers can watch as their dessert, sourced with local seasonal ingredients, are created by chef Ian Smith and his staff.
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January 14, 2013
North Park Bikes has opened at 3022 North Park Way, next door to Pacific Drapery (nay Pigment's new location). Phone is 619.255.3100.
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First the New York Times, and now the Los Angeles Times is highlighting North Park as a travel destination. The locations in the article don't cover a lot of the fantastic options to be found, but there's still plenty of love.
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Pat's Corner has left the building, and now a banner adorns the building at 30th Street and Upas way that Jonathan Segal has bought, announcing The North Parker Lofts coming soon. It says that construction will begin Spring 2013 with completion in Fall 2013. Seems like a pretty tight deadline to demolish and build a new structure with 27 apartments units sitting on 8,000 square feet of retail.
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This-n-that... The Endzone Sports Bar looks to be quickly nearing completion. There's a new faux brick back wall and mural being painted that's looking pretty cool... Hess Brewery installed their huge beer making vats this past week and it's incredible how such a large space has been filled to the gills with the equipment... We hear that George's Camera may be opening a small specialty store in the old Chester's Furniture location next to Chito's Shoe Repair on University... Swoon Dessert Bar is ever so close to opening, putting the finishing touches on the interior... a mini-parklet project is being proposed outside of Caffe Calabria... Imig's Kitchen, in the Lafayette Hotel, is now open for dinner...
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January 5, 2013
The Costume Shop has closed their brick and mortar location in the North Park Parking Garage complex. A sign on their door indicates they'll soon open an online presence.
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Eater San Diego is reporting that Jay Turner, owner of The Linkery and El Take it Easy, is moving up to San Francisco. He'll be keeping the restaurants in his stable, while opening a new place in the Bay Area. They also report that Caffe Calabria is busy installing a brewery in their basement.
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