San Diego Business Journal Downtown Resource Guide 2007

This document from the San Diego Business Journal is worth reading.

Best Sandwich in the City: Global Village Marketplace in Little Italy

I've lived in the city for several years and while there is a lot of very good food around most of it is of the sit down and wait/high end variety which isn't always practical. When looking for a deli sandwich I'm also not usually interested in chain places like Quiznos, Subway or Submarina.

I recently stumbled into Global Village Marketplace in Little Italy between Ash and Beech Streets, it's in the Portico building and ordered a sandwich to go. I usually don't try places that don't have big lines or that friends recommend, I'm amazed at the quality, so much so I'm putting up a blog entry over the experience. Give them a try if you're in the neighborhood.

http://www.globalvillagemarketplace.com/

Broadway Lofts announces new retail

I found this news release on www.sandiegometro.com. I was hoping for something a little more urban for that location. Could this be the beginning of the suburbanization of downtown? There was talk of a Banana Republic in this location, that would have been much better for that part of the city.

Fuddruckers has signed a 10-year, $1.9 million lease for space in the old First National Bank Building at Fifth Avenue and Broadway in Downtown San Diego and is tentatively scheduled to open in a portion of the space in August. Broadway Lofts has preserved the nearly 100-year-old building by developing the property into 84 residential lofts, four penthouses and ground-level retail space. The lease is with Watt Genton Associates. “Broadway Lofts is extremely well positioned in Downtown for Fuddruckers as it is sandwiched between the Central Business District, which will pull in the majority of their lunch crowd, and the Gaslamp Quarter, which will pull in most of their nighttime crowd,” says Lauren Trussell of CB Richard Ellis. “Fuddruckers is committing to a long-term presence in the Downtown location. Most restaurants in the area are fine-dining or a bistro/pub-style venue. Having a Fuddruckers adjacent to the Gaslamp Quarter creates more options for the Downtown workforce, residents, families and tourists alike.” Fuddruckers is a family-oriented, casual restaurant franchise specializing in hamburgers, hot sandwiches, soups, salads and side dishes. Its corporate name is Casual Concepts Food Inc.

The former bank building was originally built in 1909. It was renovated in 1940 to give it a “modern” look. Arched windows, terra-cotta trim, columns and ornate entrances were removed in favor of a smoother, streamlined appearance. Trussell and David Hagglund of CB Richard Ellis represented Casual Concepts Food.

East Village Tavern & Bowl

While this is still in the planning stage this project would definitely offer a unique experience for downtown.

From CCDC's recent update:

East Village Tavern & Bowl (East Village Tavern, LLC) - Centre City Conditional Use Permit to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages in conjunction with live music and entertainment within a proposed neighborhood restaurant/bar and six-lane bowling alley located at 930 Market Street - East Village.

I personally believe that the city needs more entertainment, shopping and workout options. The recent demise of Sunset Bowl in Clairemont left very few options for a occaisonal bowling night with friends.

It's lonely at the top

If you've never had dinner or cocktails at Mister A's then do yourself a big favor and go check it out. Awesome and unique views and experience. I'm glad the Union Tribune did a story on this place as well as the hopeful new trend coming downtown.