I hate most types of shopping, but I love stores.

If you’re not familiar with the term “designer,” coined by Neil Shankar on TikTok in 2022, you probably at least know the vibe. Shoppy stores tend to be quite small, stocked with intricately curated and high-quality designed independent goods and sundries – often made locally – and usually have at least a few perishable snacks (and there’s almost always canned fish).

In Little Italy, it’s “Housekeeping.” In University Heights, Clos is building Fintastic Provisions. And in North Park, Tablespoon is about to open.

Logan Mitchell and Gary McIntire, the couple behind Collins & Coupe and Cellar Door Supper Club, opened Collins & Coupe in 2017 with a curated selection of vintage barware for professionals and amateur bartenders. They’ve been using the suite next door for storage and seasonal events for a few years, but decided earlier this year to start an expansion or sister company that would offer more kitchenware in addition to the bar—an idea they had before Collins & Coupe.

“(It) was going to be much bigger and include a cooking class,” Mitchell explains. “San Diego hasn’t had an independent cooking store since Great News closed.”

Unlike other local shops that offer kitschy kitchen items, Mitchell says Tablespoon will focus more on vintage knick-knacks and specialty cooking tools. “We’ll have a chef-curated selection of old and new kitchen tools and cookbooks, locally made pantry and grocery items, even coffee and sourdough from local brands like Sequoia Nut Butter, Juice Jerky, JoJo’s Peanut Butter, Sugar Kiln Cookies, Crysalis Florals and more,” Mitchell says.

She says they always want to include local vendors in their offering, so she invites interested vendors to get in touch via her Instagram page or (email protected)“Because we are so small, we don’t have everything, especially not immediately, but we will do our best to increase our inventory according to our customers’ requests. So don’t hesitate to ask for what you need and we will try to find it for you,” she says.

Tablespoon will open in small increments on Friday, August 30, with a grand opening on Friday, September 6, for Stroll the Boulevard from 5 to 8 p.m. Mitchell promises, “We’ll be open all day, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.” for Stroll. Regular hours are Thursday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

Restaurant news and culinary events in San Diego

Tea time? Well. Tipsy tea time? Yes!

afternoon tea with Alcohol? Now we’re talking. On Wednesday, August 21, from 5 to 7 p.m., California English is hosting a boozy tea time with tea-based cocktails, small bites, live music and lawn games. $55 gets you two drink vouchers for the 21-and-over event. If you can’t make it that day, there’s Tipsy Tea Time Tuesdays through Saturdays from 3 to 5 p.m. (reservations required). Enjoy a hot honey chicken sandwich scone and a Southern Belle tea cocktail and get that Southern feel without the humidity.

Beers and BBQ at Smokey & The Brisket on August 24th

East County is in full swing, with barbecue joints like Papalo, Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs, Coop’s and Smokey and The Brisket keeping the local barbecue scene strong. The latter in La Mesa is wrapping up the summer with Brews & BBQ on Saturday, August 24, from noon to 6 p.m., featuring live music, dog adoptions, arcade games and, of course, plenty of food and craft beer for purchase. For $65, guests can get a plate of barbecue and unlimited beer samples from six local breweries, but the event is free.

Beth’s Bites

• Is it too early to plan for Halloween? I already got a promotional email this week saying “start your holiday shopping,” so I guess not. The spooky pop-up Black Lagoon will be at Seven Grand in San Diego from October 13 to November 3, offering special spooky cocktails and other mixed drinks by Kelsey Ramage and Erin Hayes.
• The brand new Beach Break in Bird Rock is full of delicious baked goods, beets, beach boxes, and butter. Now that I’ve run out of (appropriate) B-words, it’s a cute little market with snacks and other supplies for the perfect day on the bay or wherever your favorite wave breaks. That sounds a hell of a lot better than the mushy peanut butter and jelly sandwiches I pack!
• Chad Michaels, Winners of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars According to Season One, the burgers at Eat Crispy Burger taste “like a million dollars.” But soon, we won’t have to drive to Encinitas to get one of our own—more are coming to San Diego in National City, La Jolla, and possibly a few more.

Do you have breaking news, exciting updates or great stories about new restaurants in San Diego or the city’s dining scene? Send your suggestions to (email protected).