Food dominated the business scene in Rancho Bernardo and 4S Ranch in 2025

There was a lot of movement on the business front in Rancho Bernardo and 4S Ranch, especially when it came to food.

In Rancho Bernardo, Swadeshi Indian Grocery Store opened in The Plaza, at 16777 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite E on Feb. 1, with plans to offer around 2,500 products by summer, said Sagar Ghosh, a corporate chef who was making his first grocery store venture.

Much of what was being offered was imported, especially the spices, herbs and various flours used in Indian cooking and not found in most chain stores, he said.

The Rancho Bernardo Inn got a new executive chef — Jonathan Kinsella — who made his debut during an Aug. 14 culinary event after joining the Inn in late May. Kinsella, who has worked all over the world, said he was looking forward to transforming the menus at the resort’s restaurants.

“Chef Jonathan Kinsella’s arrival at Rancho Bernardo Inn marks an exciting chapter for our dining outlets and culinary experiences,” said Jamie Lemon, area general manager. “From his roots in classic French technique to his global experience and thoughtful approach to seasonal ingredients, he brings a perspective that feels both worldly and deeply personal.”

A local wine company — Barrel Riot — has its first permanent location at 16765 Bernardo Center Drive in the spot that used to house The Barrel Room.

“The whole idea … is for people to have great food and a wine atmosphere experience where customers will enjoy themselves,” said CEO and owner Dan Lipsky.

He created Barrel Riot at his Poway home, offering his first set of five wines combined with bourbon, tequila and rum in 2019. Since then he has been growing its fame via local farmers markets and festivals.

The Starbucks at 16773 Bernardo Center Drive in The Plaza was one of seven in the City of San Diego that closed suddenly in late September as part of a company-wide restructuring that impacted over 450 locations nationwide. The Poway Starbucks near Target also closed.

Over in 4S Ranch, the restaurant scene was busy. For example, Miguel’s Cocina closed in early fall, but its space at 10514 Craftsman Way in the 4S Commons Town Center did not stay vacant for long. By December, another Mexican restaurant opened in its place — Flecha Cantina.

The chain — which also has locations in Huntington Beach and Las Vegas — is owned by Mark Wahlberg. It features a menu “crafted by renowned international chefs and mixologists,” according to its website. “(It) blends Mexican classics with contemporary fire.”

There was a very long line of locals outside Nick the Greek Souvlaki & Gyro House on Dec. 5. For its opening day celebration, the restaurant chain gave out free lunch entrees and beverages from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Those waiting outside the restaurant at 10550 Craftsman Way Suite 185 for their turn to order a free meal did not seem to mind the hour or longer wait.

The fast-casual restaurant offers authentic Greek cuisine. It has almost 90 locations, many throughout California, but the 4S Ranch location is just the third in San Diego County.

For those looking for office, meeting or event space, Kiln opened a 40,000-square-foot facility in Rancho Bernardo in late spring at 17190 Bernardo Center Drive. To introduce itself before officially opening, Kiln held a free community wellness event on April 5.

Company officials said Kiln’s RB location –- one of 17 across the country — has 82 offices and meeting rooms of varying sizes, an event space, full theater, podcast room, workout area, atrium and courtyard.

“The reason we wanted to be here is (Rancho Bernardo’s) proximity to the growing tech hub,” said Nicholas Han, Kiln’s business development manager. Its proximity to Poway Unified schools, desirable neighborhoods and Interstate 15 were also appealing factors, he said.

In other corporate news, in November Sony Electronics Inc. sold its San Diego campus at 16535 Via Esprillo in the Rancho Bernardo Industrial Park for $67.4 million to an entity affiliated with Irvine-based real estate investment and management company LBA Properties. Sony spent $150 million to build the 11-story building that opened in 2009.

It was silver-themed everything at the Discovery Shop in Rancho Bernardo in late August when the resale store that benefits the American Cancer Society celebrated its 25th anniversary on Aug. 30.

The RB store at 16787 Bernardo Center Drive Suite A10B raises the most annually among the Discovery Shops in Southern California, said former manager Patsy Rosado, who has been working there all 25 years.

Other new developments:

• Boujee Beast Pet Grooming took over the space that was Barkley’s Pet Spa on March 1 in The Plaza, at 16777 Bernardo Center Drive Suite E7. Salon owner Jillian Goddard, who has been a pet groomer for 20 years, said she had always wanted to be a salon owner. She had worked at many places, including Barkley’s for two years, before purchasing the business.

• Laasya School of Dance opened its first studio at 16769 Bernardo Center Drive after offering classes in Bharatha Natyam, a form of South Indian classical dance, at the RB home of founder Rohini Herur and other locations since 2001.

• The fencing school at 16775 Bernardo Center Drive has new ownership and a new name. In September, Elite Fencers was sold and renamed Elite Fencers Club International.

• Extensive renovations have been ongoing this fall at the former Souplantation at 17210 Bernardo Center Drive, near the RB Library. The restaurant closed in early 2020. Next year, 4,000 square feet of it will become the office for Dr. Melanie Orthodontics, which is relocating from 4S Ranch. A yet-to-be identified business will fill the remaining 3,000 square feet.