Malibu’s SunLife Organics, a wellness brand found in five states, is getting ready to enter the San Diego market with at least two planned locations.
The company’s first area location is expected to open in Spring 2024 at the Del Mar Highlands Town Center at 12843 El Camino Real, Suite 204/205, according to the company’s website. SunLife Organics will sit under Studio 3 Fitness next to the G Street entrance for Sprouts. After this, the company plans to open a second location in Downtown San Diego at 200 Horton Plaza, Suite 110, which is expected to open in Fall 2024 at the upcoming Campus at Horton.
The company’s second San Diego site was recently announced as the newest tenant for the ongoing project from developer Stockdale Capital Partners. The Los Angeles-based vertically integrated real estate investment firm plans to convert the former Horton Plaza and its surrounding area into a retail and life science hub that will span one million square feet. Other tenants announced for the project include Shake Shack, Sweetgreen, Sprouts Farmers Market, Studio 3 Fitness, Salon Republic, and Rumble Fitness.
“Sunlife’s commitment is not only to great food and beverage, but to community, health, wellness, and lifestyle, which ties in perfectly with our vision of a centrally located destination for customers in the heart of Downtown San Diego and beyond,” Stockdale’s managing partner Jeff Bhathal tells Eater San Diego.
Founder Khalil Rafati has had many opportunities to bring the independently-owned chain to San Diego, but being a part of the Stockdale project is what ultimately prompted the expansion, according to Eater. Rafati tells the publication that he expects to open three to four stores in the San Diego area. The co-owner credits juicing and superfoods with his journey from homelessness and drug addiction to founding SunLife. The company is also opening new locations in Brentwood and Nashville.
