Journey to the Far East

Day Tripper

Shop owners on Morena Boulevard search far and wide for unique home products

Ample parking was a criteria when Rob Horby contemplated a new location for Circa A.D., his store dedicated to furnishings and accessories imported from Asia. Having been in the same Hillcrest location for more than 10 years, the store had developed a devoted clientele, not just for imported case goods but for Horby’s design services, too. His new location would have to be central, with plenty of warehouse space and parking.

He found the answer on Morena Boulevard, where he moved operations four years ago. Now Circa A.D. is part of a growing design district, where homeowners and designers shop for furnishings, accessories, stone and brand-name paint.

“It’s all about the mix, not the match,” Horby says of Circa A.D.’s collection of products from the Far East. “We design everything to come together.”

Having “everything” close at hand is one of the other reasons relocating to Morena Boulevard was so appealing. On a short stroll from his store, Horby says, you can find a variety of home-design resources, as well as culinary stops along the way. For illumination, he suggests Continental Lighting or Lamps Plus, where solutions range from ceiling fans to chandeliers to wall sconces. And while San Diego boasts warm weather most of the year, fireplaces are still a sought-after centerpiece for today’s homes. For inspiration, he heads to The Mantel Company, where styles vary from traditional to contemporary, in wood, stone or marble. Of course, shopping on Morena Boulevard wouldn’t be complete without perusing the selection of stones—from exotic to traditional—at Arizona Tile, Unique Stone and Tile Club.

The move to Morena Boulevard also put Circa A.D. closer to one of its competitors: Genghis Khan, whose Asian furnishings and accessories range from contemporary to conservative. Together, the retailers strengthen the neighborhood’s standing as a design destination for goods imported from Indonesia, China and other points in the Pacific.

And with more and more San Diegans taking up cooking, Morena Boulevard offers resources for creating the perfect kitchen—indoors or out. A premier source for appliances and decorative plumbing, Standards of Excellence not only provides design ideas via vignettes in the showroom, it also offers Saturday cooking classes. For outdoor spaces, Hauser’s Patio & Rattan has long been the place to go for lounge chairs and other backyard furnishings.

Though much of Horby’s time is spent in countries such as Indonesia and China, when he’s back in the showroom, he doesn’t have to go far for his favorite cuisine. He frequents Waters Café for its “nouveau American cuisine.”

With foods and furnishings ranging from the traditional to exotic, it’s no wonder Horby’s happy to call Morena Boulevard home.

Do you like what you read? Subscribe to San Diego Magazine »