NEED LINK Claire’s gives thought to green
By Erica Schroeder
Intern
A new restaurant and bakery, featuring organic, vegetarian-friendly food, opened Saturday across from the train station in Solana Beach.Claire’s on Cedros promises a casual dining experience offering gluten-free and vegan items in a comfortable, family-oriented environment. And business owners Terrie Boley and Claire Allison went to great lengths to achieve that goal and open the doors to Claire’s on Cedros last Saturday.
Claire’s heads up the North Cedros end of the Cedros Design District, neighboring the Solana Beach School District. Boley and Allison hope to be involved with the school district, among other local groups, to strengthen community bonds.
“The business is planning on having a themed event every month. Some months the event will be in support of a local nonprofit corporation,” said Eva Stimson, director of media relations for the business. “We are promoting the ‘Dog Days of August’ event for the Helen Woodward Animal Center next month. A portion of each dog biscuit sold from the bakery will go to the animal center.”
By having themed events for local groups, the company is hoping to embrace the
community and strengthen bonds.
In order to build a green and community-oriented business, Boley and Allison started from the ground up.
Claire’s boasts an energy-efficient building, designed by architect Jean-Louis Coquereau of JLC Architecture. The structure has applied for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. The builders are hopeful they will get a platinum designation because of the extensive “green” amenities that reduce the building’s environmental impact.
The company also plans to join the Green Restaurant Association with sustainability in mind. Most of the building’s landscaping is native, reducing water usage, though a lot of the plants provide fruit or herbs for kitchen use. The owners hope the building will serve as inspiration for other new ventures.
“The environmental part of this project is an extension of the way we both live, and we look forward to sharing that way of life with our customers and the community,” Boley and Allison said.
Boley is an entrepreneur, and Allison has an extensive culinary background, including running the Milton’s Delicatessen Bakery in Del Mar for more than 12 years. Together, they decided to venture into the small-business world.
The interior of the building is comfortable and inviting, modeled like a beach bungalow, with artwork created by Boley’s daughters and metal wall-hangings donated by the neighboring Trios Gallery.
The interior design work gives the dining room the feel of the outdoors, showing the environmental thought given throughout. The interior design was done by Maura Johnson of Maura Johnson Interior Design.
Claire’s will also feature a regular diner program with rewards and promotions for frequent guests.
Claire’s on Cedros is at 246 N. Cedros Ave. and will be open seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekends. For more information, visit
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