Carlsbad-headquartered Islands Restaurants has joined a growing list of new restaurants in the dining line-up at The Shoppes at Carlsbad, the regional mall that’s in the midst of a major overhaul by owner Rouse Properties.
Officials of New York-based Rouse announced that the beach-themed, burger-centric Islands will occupy a 4,500-square-foot space at the mall, including a 1,300-square-foot patio, with an opening expected in the early fourth quarter of this year. It will be the 10th San Diego County restaurant for Islands Restaurants.
The 35-year-old company operates a total of 56 full-service restaurants in California and three other Western states, including one on Palomar Airport Road in Carlsbad. In a statement issued by Rouse, Islands President Michael Smith said the company was looking forward “to continuing to be a part of the Carlsbad community and have a presence at the growing (Rouse) property.”
Rouse also announced that Islands will be joined at the mall in early 2018 by the Los Angeles-based Wokcano Asian Restaurant & Bar, with a 7,000-square-foot space (plus a 1,500-square-foot patio) serving up items like fresh sushi, maki rolls and other Japanese and Chinese-style foods. It will be the first San Diego County location for Wokcano, which debuted in 2001 and operates 10 Southern California restaurants.
The mall operator previously announced the coming arrivals of out-of-town restaurant chains including Dave & Buster’s (now open), Yard House and The Cheesecake Factory, along with fashion retailer Zara. Rouse acquired the mall from Westfield Corp. for $170 million in 2015 and is overhauling it to include more indoor-outdoor “lifestyle” elements, including new plazas and gathering spaces.
Initially known as Plaza Camino Real and later Westfield Carlsbad, the 47-year-old mall is located on El Camino Real near state Route 78 in northern Carlsbad, near the city’s border with Oceanside.
