South Park
While this enclave of quaint shops and restaurants is fairly established, a new crop of businesses are upping the cool factor on what is quickly becoming the Mission Hills of the south.
Buona Forchetta
Matteo Cattaneo and Alexa Kollmeier, who hail from Italy and NYC, would stroll their neighborhood streets and dream of opening a spot with wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, meatballs, house-made pasta, and a sidewalk patio to serve as a local gathering place. We’re glad this husband and wife team have made that dream a reality. 3001 Beech Street
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G Fit
The couple behind Ginseng Yoga is kicking butts into shape at their new G Fit studio. Small group and private sessions provide strength training, core conditioning, and cardio fitness to all levels, with Fundamental Interval Training as well as “Soulercize” and Barre Fusion. 1504 30th Street
Goldline Salon
After more than a decade at Salon Tonic, Anna Elia and Heather Northcote Elsey have opened their own salon in the old Halcyon Tea space. Named for the proposed “Gold Line” streetcar system, the new space marries vintage and contemporary style. And they want you to feel at home—they serve local beer and they’re dog-friendly. 3009 Beech Street
Specs Optometry
This once unassuming optometry office has renovated and revamped, turning the shop into an intimate, hidden gem loaded with stylish frames by brands like Drift, Eco, Legre, and Persol. There are so many sexy new yous begging to come to life here, you might not even care about blowing past your insurance deductible. 1947 Fern Street
Left Hand Black & Diego Tattoo Gallery
Fern Street is buzzing with fresh ink. The spacious Left Hand Black is unabashedly goth with its dark blue walls, skeletons, and curios (1947 Fern Street). In a male-dominated field, it’s notable that Diego Tattoo’s artists are women, and Diana DeAugustine’s talent for bright, watercolor-style tattoos is an exciting find. 1606 Fern Street
Eclipse Chocolate Bar & Bistro
Eclipse Chocolat Americanized its name and closed up shop on El Cajon Boulevard, moving to a giant space to up the production of all-natural chocolate and confections. It also serves soup, panini, wine, and local beer. But the best thing? Daily brunch, with cocoa-glazed bacon and cheesy white chocolate biscuits and gravy. 2145 Fern Street
