Cedros At A Crossroads

In the early 1990s, a group of forward-thinking business owners operating along Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach got together and started to develop a plan. They realized the quirky collection of light industrial and old military buildings along their street had a unique charm and miles of possibilities. Working collaboratively, the group decided to call the area the Cedros Design District, coming up with a look, logo, color scheme, and style all their own.

The newly-formed design district was targeted at companies and retailers geared toward the home and landscape design, art, and fashion. Over time, the mix of buildings began to fill with some of the most unique retail and design concepts in the area. Everything got a fresh use - even a group of old army barracks became the Belly Up Tavern.

As South Cedros Avenue continued to grow and succeed, the new Solana Beach Train Station was completed, including the relocation of the train tracks to a lowered crossing below Lomas Santa Fe, reducing pedestrian hazards and improving traffic flow for the area. "When the train station was completed, Solana Beach received a great boost to its infrastructure - we now have Amtrak and Coaster service, in addition to a smoother traffic flow and a pedestrian bridge over to Highway 101. These are all great in increasing the walk ability of the entire Cedros area," says Lori Naylor, principal planner for the City of Solana Beach.

In 2006, the Cedros Design District is thriving, becoming a major shopping destination for visitors from not only around San Diego but across the globe, as well. Visit stores like Muttropolis, Bella Fiore, and Weeds on any sunny afternoon or weekend morning, and you'll likely hear multiple languages and accents as shoppers stroll along South Cedros Avenue.

Now, the Cedros area is at a critical point - the North County Transit District (NCTD) is in a joint venture with Shea Properties to develop their land immediately around the train station on the north side of Cedros Avenue. Dubbed "Cedros Crossing," the new project is in the approval phase with the City of Solana Beach, and is designed to develop space currently being used as either parking or open space into a mixed-use blend of retail, office, and residential space. One of the key elements of the Cedros Crossing development includes a new location for the North Coast Repertory Theatre (www.northcoastrep.org), which is bursting out of its current location on Lomas Santa Fe Avenue.

"We are ready for the project to get approved and move forward - we are very excited," says Sara Meek, media relations representative for the North Coast Rep. "Right now we are waiting and watching to see what happens - we would love to be in this new location," she adds. Moving into a new location would give the theatre more amenities and badly-needed space, allowing it to have two theaters, more storage, and easier access.

"We've simply grown out of our existing space and need a bigger location," Meek continues. The decision to move the Rep needs to be finalized soon as they only have until 2010 on their current lease and must find a new location at that time.

At a cost of around $35 million, Cedros Crossing will include approximately 35,000 square feet of office and commercial space, and will also increase the number of parking spaces available in the area to approximately 1,000. While many of the businesses and community leaders in the area are excited to see the project go forward, the city and the developers have seen some pushback from residents. The city has just completed the environmental impact report on the project and now moves on to a public hearing slated for October. City officials are enthusiastic that the project will proceed, calling the plan a natural progression of the entire Cedros area.

"We are creating a wonderful 'heart' for Solana Beach with a great mix of cultural facilities, retail, nightlife, and more... It's an exciting time," adds Naylor.

Stores like Muttropolis Dog & Cat Boutique (www.muttropolis.com) have been in the Cedros Design District for several years and love the location. "This whole area continues to be top of mind for the savvy/design-conscious shopper looking to escape from the homogenized offerings found at most traditional shopping centers," says Janet McCulley, chief marketing officer for Muttropolis. "The district is no longer just about home furnishings, but offers cutting-edge fashion, innovative art galleries, personalized fitness, Pilates, and yoga facilities," she adds.

Muttropolis is an example of that eclectic mix of design and style that shoppers look for in the district - everything from European-inspired doggie bag holders to pet beds covered with the hippest fabrics.

While retailers like Muttropolis opened their location on South Cedros in the first place, other business owners are seeing the potential in the region and are relocating. Bella Fiore (www.bellafioreinc.com) recently relocated from its location in Rancho Santa Fe to 200 North Cedros Avenue to be closer to customers and take advantage of the redevelopment opportunities in the area.

Owner Leanne Michael is thrilled with her new spot near the proposed Cedros Crossing development."We have been able to double our space by moving to North Cedros Avenue and we can show event work that we never had space for in our previous location," Michael comments. "With 2,400 square feet of showroom space, we can illustrate a broader scope of our work, highlighting tabletop displays, linen, china, and floral options."

Looking forward, the City of Solana Beach is also working on plans for a Highway 101 Improvement Project and Traffic Calming effort. Currently, the city has approved plans for an overall streetscape improvement to include new landscaping, enhanced parking along a larger center median on Highway 101, and some sidewalk enlargements to allow more outdoor dining options for local restaurants. The improvements are still a few years away as the city is funding other regional improvements first, such as a redevelopment of Fletcher Cove and the pedestrian overcrossings from Cedros Avenue to Highway 101.

Whether it be new dining, shopping, or strolling options, the entire Solana Beach corridor along Highway 101 is in an exciting time of change and growth, and the region is poised to be a major economic factor for years to come. (www.cedroscrossing.com, www.cedrosdesigndistrict.com, www.cedrosdesigndistrict.net)
- Aimee Cebulski, photography by Vincent Knakal