News


Malibu Farm to Freshen Up Seaport Village

Oct 12, 2020

CONTACT: Brianne Mundy Page, 619.348.1518, bpage@portofsandiego.org

The Port of San Diego’s revitalization of Seaport Village has cultivated a new and exciting partnership. Malibu Farm, founded by celebrity chef Helene Henderson and her husband, actor, film director and restauranteur John Stockwell, will join more than a dozen new stores and restaurants now open or coming soon. With simple farm-to-table California-inspired cuisine that is fresh, organic and locally sourced whenever possible, Malibu Farm will be a popular restaurant destination as well as a transformative, anchor tenant at Seaport Village.

“We welcome Malibu Farm to our table and are delighted they want to plant a seed on our beautiful San Diego bayfront,” said Chair Ann Moore, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “The Port has invested a lot of time, money and effort in bringing more locals and visitors to Seaport Village, and it’s really paying off. Malibu Farm and what they’ll add to our community will help us continue to fulfill our promise to enrich the relationship people and businesses have with our dynamic waterfront.”

Seaport Village will be the ninth location for Malibu Farm, which has grown from its first home as a pop-up café on the Malibu Pier to establishments throughout the U.S. and the world including New York City, Miami, Tokyo, and Cabo San Lucas.

“We are thrilled to be opening Malibu Farm at Seaport Village,” said Helene Henderson, founder of Malibu Farm. “I have always been very cautious and specific about where we open a location as the guest experience is of critical importance to me. The spectacular waterfront location at Seaport reminds us of when we first opened on the Malibu Pier which had not been enjoying the popularity and acclaim it deserved and which is now a thriving bustling destination. We always work to be inclusive, offering up food and beverage options that everyone in the family can enjoy, and have thrived in places where an outdoor, healthy lifestyle is welcome and cherished and that is what Seaport Village affords to us.”

The Port anticipates Malibu Farm will begin construction in fall 2021 and open for business by summer 2022.

With new and established shops, dining and entertainment options, site enhancements, and operational improvements, Seaport Village is a vibrant and prosperous waterfront destination for residents, visitors and the businesses that operate within it.

Notable improvements include:

  • Exterior painting using a more modern, sun and ocean-inspired color pallet;
  • Upgraded amenities include the Urban Beach, a picturesque seating area with Adirondack chairs facing the bayfront vista, and flexible furniture in the Lighthouse District; and
  • Seaport Village’s landscaping has also seen a transformation, now flourishing with native plants and flora.
Exciting new additions that are now open include:
  • Seaport Market – a one-stop shop for Seaport Village guests and nearby residents looking for snacks, sodas, tobacco products, and fine wines and spirits. Free delivery is available to neighboring hotels and marinas.
  • Geppetto’s – locally owned and operated, Geppetto’s is a time-honored chain of boutique toy stores with locations throughout San Diego. The curated assortment of playful merchandise ranges from games and puzzles to crafts and dolls, fostering imaginative fun for everyone in the family.
Coming soon:
  • Spill the Beans (anticipated to open fall 2020) – a specialty coffee and bagel shop that opened in the Gaslamp Quarter in 2017. They’ve built a successful and unique brand since launching in 2017. They’ll open their second location in a key boardwalk vacancy in the Lighthouse District across from the Marriott Marina near San Pasqual Winery.
  • Eats by Sam (anticipated to open fall 2020) – Celebrity chef “Sam the Cooking Guy” (Not Not Tacos, Graze) and acclaimed hospitality group Grain & Grit Collective (Carnitas Snack Shack, Broken Yolk, Little Italy Food Hall), are teaming up to launch a full-service restaurant at Seaport Village, slated to debut spring 2021. Ahead of this highly anticipated opening, Grain & Grit is introducing a temporary, multi-concept co-op with Sam Zien spearheading culinary operations. Dubbed Eats by Sam, this creative and well-suited pandemic pivot will operate on a predominately virtual model, with a brick-and-mortar location occupying the 8,000 square-foot venue on Seaport’s waterfront. The interim eatery will be complete with ordering kiosks and ample outdoor seating. Eats by Sam will launch this fall with two initial concepts under its co-op: Samburgers and Samwiches. The Cooking Guy’s program of hoagies and burgers will showcase fan favorites, like the “Not So Basic Samburger,” in addition to savory new creations. The Seaport Village eatery will also tote a medley of craft beer offerings for guests to enjoy in the al fresco garden area. Plus, visitors can expect a lineup of onsite activations, including live music and more!
  • Mr. Moto Pizza (anticipated to open in spring 2021) – one of San Diego’s favorite pizza restaurants, serving up New York-style pizza either by the slice or an entire pie at five locations. Seaport Village will be its sixth location. They’ll offer pickup and delivery in addition to dining-in on its waterfront patio, adjacent to Mike Hess Brewing in the Carousel District;
  • Mike Hess Brewing (anticipated to open in spring 2021) – One of San Diego’s first craft breweries, Mike Hess Brewing provides great beers and a welcoming atmosphere at its locations in Miramar, North Park and Ocean Beach. They’re moving in along the waterfront boardwalk in the Carousel District (north of the Pier CafĂ©) and will include a beer tasting room and patio area with a full-service restaurant;
  • San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room (expansion under construction) – San Pasqual Winery is a small, family-owned winery located in La Mesa. With a recent event space expansion underway in the Lighthouse District, the San Pasqual Winery provides patrons with wine by the glass and bottled wine for sale along the shop’s patio and deck area with great views of San Diego Bay.
Opened in 2019:
  • Something Sweet – This confectionary offers a splendid assortment of treats and candies, including nostalgic bonbons, chocolate delights, sour suckers, fruity gummies, cold drinks, ice cream, popcorn, and an assortment of giftware and toys. Create your own mix candy bags, gifts, Mexican candy, packaged popcorn, old school toys, Dippin' Dots, snacks, cold refreshments and lots of throwback novelty candy along with classic favorites.
  • Introstem – Specializing in luxury skin care products that deliver tangible results using effective, science-backed ingredients, including hemp seed oil and grape stem cell extract, the Seaport Village location marks the beauty bar concept’s first downtown San Diego outpost.
  • Vino Stoppers – A novelty gift store offering a selection of wine stoppers to preserve your favorite bottle of wine. These gadgets make handy presents and perfect souvenirs for anyone on your gift list.
With large scale on-site gatherings and events on hold until further notice, Seaport Village is continuing its community-driven content with live streams on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. Virtual programming features “Balcony Concerts” with local musicians, outdoor fitness training with organizations such as the San Diego Track Club, as well as art activations in partnership with New Children's Museum and the Seaport Mural project, which showcases regional artists and seasonal installations. Learn more about the Virtual Village at seaportvillage.com and follow Seaport Village on Instagram and Facebook for daily updates.

Prioritizing public health to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and in alignment with the State of California’s reopening guidelines, Seaport Village has implemented heightened cleaning procedures and safety measures. Throughout the property, floor markers help visitors navigate social distancing and informational signage regarding face coverings and hand washing are in place. Additionally, tables and seating are placed to ensure ample space between each individual and/or party.

Seaport Village is managed on behalf of the Port by Protea Property Management, Inc. The Port is working with R.I. Properties, Inc. (Retail Insite) to list and market vacant retail space.

ABOUT SEAPORT VILLAGE
Adjacent to downtown San Diego and the iconic USS Midway Museum, Seaport Village is a vibrant harbor-side hub of unique retailers, artisans and eateries. Situated on the waterfront, this dynamic shopping and dining complex debuted in 1980 and showcases 14 acres of Spanish-style storefronts, cobblestone walkways and an historic carousel. The outdoor venue, now owned and operated by the Port of San Diego, is home to 60 retailers including souvenir shops, a surf shop, and a wine tasting room. Seaport Village also boasts a collection of waterfront dining options, including cafes, fast-casual bistros and fine restaurants.

ABOUT THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO
The Port of San Diego serves the people of California as a specially created district, balancing multiple uses on 34 miles along San Diego Bay spanning five cities. Collecting no tax dollars, the Port manages a diverse portfolio to generate revenues that support vital public services and amenities.

The Port champions Maritime, Waterfront Development, Public Safety, Experiences and Environment, all focused on enriching the relationship people and businesses have with our dynamic waterfront. From cargo and cruise terminals to hotels and restaurants, from marinas to museums, from 22 public parks to countless events, the Port contributes to the region’s prosperity and remarkable way of life on a daily basis.

ABOUT PORT OF SAN DIEGO WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT
Port of San Diego Waterfront Development contributes to the continuous prosperity of the local economy.

From Real Estate to Aquaculture and Blue Tech, the Port invests in major redevelopment and community infrastructure, so businesses in our region have the opportunity to stay competitive in the global marketplace.

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