Aster Construction Services, Inc. (ACS) championed the  completion of the Theatre Box building renovation in the historic downtown San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. The transformation of the historic building into a new entertainment destination, with The Theatre Box, Sugar Factory and Chocolate Lounge, is a sweet introduction of  ACS to the neighborhood, and has distinguished them as the new “San Diego go to” builder for hospitality, retail and commercial building projects.  

Inspired by the growth in the downtown San Diego area, Aster Construction Services, Inc. (ASC) with primary offices located in Hollywood, CA., further commits to the San Diego community with the opening of their downtown office right here in the Gaslamp Quarter at 701 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101.

Aligning themselves with The Gaslamp Quarter Association, San Diego Economic Development Group and the Downtown San Diego Redevelopment Project, ACS establishes permanent roots and a commitment to support the redevelopment efforts in downtown San Diego and Gaslamp Quarter.

A construction industry veteran, Wadih Eddie Daher, co-owner and president of ACS is a graduate of San Diego State where he received his masters degree in civil engineering. He is recognized for both large commercial and residential development projects in the US and overseas. Registered with the California Contractors Association, Daher holds licenses in A:Engineering, B:General Contracting, C-8 Concrete, C-29 Masonry and Retaining Walls, all primary subcategories in the commercial building industry.  In 2012, Daher partnered with Alan Hajjar, who “made news around the world” in 2001 when he restored the Pig ‘n Whistle, a legendary restaurant on Hollywood Boulevard along with many other restaurants, nightclubs and high end residential projects. Hajjar, also holds degrees in Civil Engineering and is known for his portfolio of work in the hospitality category throughout the Los Angeles area.  

The completion of the San Diego Gaslamp Sugar Factory location in January 2019, follows the renovation by ACS of their Las Vegas flagship store which adds to ACS’s proven track record as a comprehensive building firm and the new go to builder in San Diego.  

Nestled between Toscana and The Chuck Jones Gallery on Fifth Avenue, you’ll find Gaslamp Quarter’s newest exclusive retail experience, LUNISOL!  This family business gets its name from the three siblings, Lucas – LU, Nicole – NI and Sol, and it is their second location in San Diego.  The family wanted to expand to the Gaslamp Quarter to provide conventioneers, travelers, and nightclub goers an upscale shopping experience.

Opened the day after Christmas by the Griffin family, the stores specialize in custom women’s footwear, high end Italian and European Women’s clothing, handbags and jewelry, and a new Men’s clothing line.  Nicole Griffin chatted with us in the elegant space made up of Gold, Black and Brick and talked about how her parents started in the fashion industry as a wholesale supplier, working for all the biggest brands where they established close knit relationships within the fashion community. “I grew up going to shows around the world and learned about what fabrics, textiles and leathers are the best,” said Griffin, who collaborates with her mother on creating product displays and opening retail stores. The mother-daughter team cherish their time running retail stores and getting to know their clients.

The Boutique is a perfect fit for the Gaslamp Quarter.  With conventioneers and travelers looking for a dress to go out in, or a unique gift to remember San Diego by, the retailer specializes in elegant items and excellent customer service.  The boutique also has their own “LUNISOL” brand adorning dresses and custom designed footwear. 

Rosita Griffin, the founder of LUNISOL, began working in the shoe business at age nineteen. When she moved to the States from Ecuador, she sold multiple brands of footwear to high-end retailers and mail order catalogs across the States. Through experience in the wholesale business, she tailored the LUNISOL collection to meet the needs for quality and comfort for her boutiques in California. Rosita consciously avoids mass production and has personal involvement in the material selected for the construction of each shoe.

“My mom has the shoes made in Brazil, because they have the finest leathers, and she takes in everything that is trending in the fashion industry when she designs each shoe” said Nicole who holds up a shoe that is a high heeled sandal that looks like a piece of fine art.

The clothing, hand bags, shoes and jewelry are in the latest fashion and a perfect investment piece that can be one of a kind!  For instance, the newly acquired men’s clothing line, Robert Graham from New York has limited edition shirts that are numbered and designed with Swarovski crystal buttons and special fabrics.

For an elegant shopping experience treat yourself to LUNISOL, a unique fashion destination in the community with new arrivals on a weekly basis.

As a specialty boutique, LUNISOL is a niche limited company with Brazilian leather shoes and Italian clothing, with personalized multi-lingual customer service. LUNISOL delivers fashion forward Italian clothing, domestic brands, and Brazilian shoes and accessories, every day of the week.

Spring into all things bike and take a trip around the Gaslamp Quarter and downtown from the Bike Revolution!  The Bike Revolution located at 522 sixth avenue is your one-stop shop for bike sales/rentals downtown.  Whether you are a new rider or loyal cycling enthusiast, guests have access to the great Bike Revolution team who have more than 25 years’ experience in bike rentals, repairs and endless knowledge in all things bike related.  The shop also has a diverse range of the newest bikes and equipment, all in the heart of the downtown San Diego Gaslamp Quarter.

“All bikes available are priced according to rider experience.  From basic to experienced we want to make sure the bike fits the customer”, said Patrick Creveling, manager of The Bike Revolution where every rental at their shop comes with a bike sized to fit your needs, a helmet, repair kit, bike lock map & guidance from their experienced team.

The team at Bike revolution has been riding the San Diego trails since they were kids.  When a guest comes into the shop, they want to make sure their customers reap the benefits of all of their local knowledge and cycling expertise.  They even have a special section of the shop called, “the Riders Corner” when enthusiasts can find maps, cool routes and talk to the staff or each other on great new rides, and ideas.  “I’m hoping to work with some of the restaurants and coffee houses around Gaslamp too, and maybe we can serve coffee from Mattarello or Spill the Beans, or tell guests to pick up a sandwich at HUB Market before you go on your ride?  Finding ways to cross promote with our neighbors is always fun!” said Creveling.  Whether guests want to hit the trails quickly and be back for happy hour or disappear into the mountainous ether of a sunset over the Pacific, The Bike Revolution team has you covered.

The Bike Revolution staff guarantees that the bike they suit you up with will withstand the journey ahead.  They stock only the latest mountain, commuter, road, tandem and kids’ bikes including Thule bike racks and kid trailers!  “Our clients love this because our used bike shop is packed to the gills with the latest models, so you are able to try out a bike and maybe even purchase it for your enjoyment.” Said Creveling.

Want to get wheels spinning but in a time crunch?  The Bike Revolution can deliver bike rentals to your home, hotel, or vacation rental too.  Delivery is no charge in the downtown Gaslamp area, but if you are outside downtown, give them a call for delivery rates.  In order to guarantee delivery, reservations need to be made at least 24 hours in advance. Currently, delivery details need to be called (or emailed) to the shop.

You can rent, buy, ride and don’t forget, The Bike Revolution is a full-service bike shop, dedicated to helping maintain your equipment in ready-to-ride shape.  Their shop mechanics have over thirty years of combined experience. And can tackle any size job.  From tune-ups to full overhauls, whatever work or repair your bike requires, they can do it right from start to finish.

The Bike Revolution is a friendly, place with a staff that will cater to your cycling needs.  Visit them soon, and spring into San Diego at the speed of a bike!

Located in the heart of San Diego’s Historic Gaslamp Quarter stands the iconic Horton Grand Theater – a testament to the transformative power of the Arts. Join the Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House on November 14th at the Horton Grand Hotel as Kit Goldman, Founder of the Horton Grand Theatre, shares stories from “behind the curtain” of how this Historic icon of the Gaslamp came to fruition and how it helped transform the district into the thriving commercial area we know today.

In 1979, when Goldman began her search for a theater space in the Gaslamp, Fourth Avenue below Market was a no man’s land. The sidewalks were crumbling, there were no street lights and the Rescue Mission was the major destination.

Although San Diego’s gentry had not ventured below Market in decades she, and her then husband, Dan Pearson, had a burning vision of what the historic district could become. Battling through major obstacles, in 1980 Goldman opened the 96-seat Gaslamp Quarter Theatre on the site of an old Chinese Dancehall in the Pacifica Hotel on 4^th Ave and launched the first season of her fledgling theater troupe.

The lecture will take place at the Horton Grand Hotel: 311 Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101.

History Talks! is a monthly lecture series presented by the Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House. Each month a local historian or specialist will delve into topics related to San Diego and the Davis-Horton House to bring a unique glimpse into the history of our city. Come hear history come alive!

November 14, 2018 at 7pm. Lectures are free for Members, $5 non-members

Catch a show at the Horton Grand Theatre!

After learning about this wonderful historic theatre in the Gaslamp Quarter, you definitely need to watch a great musical here! As the holiday season is fast approaching, Miracle on 34th Street will soon be showing! The heartwarming holiday classic retold in the tradition of a live 1940’s era radio broadcast. When a department store Santa claims he’s the real Kris Kringle, his case gets taken all the way to the Supreme Court. Watch the miracle unfold when the belief of a little girl makes all the difference in this iconic story. Staged with live Foley effects and a score of favorite holiday tunes, Miracle on 34th Street is sure to melt even the most cynical of hearts. Click Here to Learn More.