Shopping can be a tedious task for many, but for those who love a unique and curated experience, shoppy shops are the way to go. Coined by designer Neil Shankar on TikTok in 2022, shoppy shops are small stores that offer intricately curated and highly designed independent goods, often locally made. These shops also tend to have a selection of perishable snacky snacks and tinned fish, adding to their charm and appeal.
In San Diego, shoppy shops are making a mark in various neighborhoods. In Little Italy, Home Ec offers a range of unique goods, while in University Heights, Fintastic Provisions by Clos is gaining popularity. Another upcoming shoppy shop in North Park is Tablespoon, set to open soon.
Tablespoon is the brainchild of Logan Mitchell and Gary McIntire, the couple behind Collins & Coupe and Cellar Door Supper Club. Originally focused on vintage bar supplies, Collins & Coupe expanded to include a curated selection of kitchen goods. Tablespoon, their latest venture, will offer a chef-curated selection of vintage and new kitchen tools, cookbooks, locally made pantry items, and more. Mitchell emphasizes their focus on local purveyors and invites interested vendors to reach out for collaboration opportunities.
The soft opening of Tablespoon is scheduled for Friday, August 30, with a grand opening on Friday, September 6. The shop will be open for Stroll the Boulevard from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will have regular hours from Thursday to Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Mitchell assures customers that they will strive to meet their needs and requests, aiming to grow their inventory based on customer feedback.
In addition to the exciting news about Tablespoon, San Diego’s food scene is buzzing with upcoming events and new establishments. California English is hosting a boozy tea time event, offering tea-based cocktails, small bites, live music, and lawn games. Smokey & The Brisket in La Mesa is hosting Brews & BBQ on August 24, featuring live music, dog adoptions, arcade games, and plenty of food and craft beer.
Looking ahead, Halloween preparations are already underway with the announcement of the Black Lagoon pop-up at Seven Grand. Beach Break in Bird Rock offers a variety of baked goods, beach boxes, and snacks for a perfect day at the Cove. And for burger enthusiasts, Eat Crispy Burger, endorsed by RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Chad Michaels, is expanding to National City, La Jolla, and possibly more locations in San Diego.
For those with exciting news, scoops, or stories about San Diego’s food scene, submissions can be sent to [email protected] Stay tuned for more updates and delicious discoveries in the vibrant culinary landscape of San Diego.