It’s a thrilling location with a spectacular view of the ocean. Still, just before and during the pandemic, restaurants and beverage shops at Pacific City closed or paused and reopened, sometimes at a dizzying rate in the center and its Lot 579 Food Hall.

In case you missed it, here’s the lineup. Permanently closed in 2019: Pie-Not and Beau Soleil Kitchen & Bar. Permanently closed in 2020: Ways & Means Oyster House, Saint Marc,  Il Barone Sicilian Street Food. Paused and returned: Bluegold and LSXO. Burnt Crumbs closed in April 2020 and made a comeback, only to close permanently later. Portola Coffee Lab and Petals and Pop also disappeared.

Now the shopping center has decided to rethink some of its dining space to make way for Salon Republic, which is expected to open in winter. Mahogany Smoked Meats, Burnt Crumbs, Four Sons Brewing and Oakberry Acai Bowls and Smoothies were given notice to vacate by April 1, 2020. The space devoted to Beau Soleil will also be given over to the salon.

“From the doors all the way to the middle of Lot 579 is all going to be Salon Republic, barring Hans’ Homemade Ice Cream and the bathrooms,” said Pacific City’s marketing director Jennifer Williams. That’s about 13,500 square feet that will be devoted to the new concept.

“Salon Republic offers beauty professionals the opportunity to run their own business in a modern salon studio environment. We provide private studios in various sizes and supportive amenities like an in-salon beauty supply store, free technical and business-building education, and complimentary towel service,” said Marissa Black, marketing director for Salon Republic, in an announcement released to the media.

Pacific City, which opened in 2015, is a $135 million retail development, a block south of the city’s pier. It was bought by Nuveen in March 2020 and Dallas-based Centennial REC took over its management from DJM Capital Partners in January 2021.

“We feel that it’s a good move for the center. We’re able to lease common areas that were not leaseable before in the food hall,” said Williams. “It’s good for the owners. It’s good for the tenants. It’s good for the community and the hotels. Pacific City is considered an amenity to the hotels. So having boutique options at Salon Republic is a nice use of an under-performing area of the center.”

The steadfast collection of restaurants that have remained in the center include American Dream, The Bungalow, Frosted Cupcakery, Lemonade, Backhouse Restaurant, Ola Mexican Cuisine, Old Crow Smokehouse, Bear Flag Fish Co. and Simmzy’s.

Newcomers, such as Bella Sophia Chocolates, which opened in September, always seem to be on the horizon. Two more dining options are about to come online, Williams said. “Nardo from the Bay Area is opening Memorial Day weekend,” she said. “And then we’ve got the space at Saint Marc’s fully leased. They’re starting construction now and an announcement will be coming from us very, very soon.”

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