FIRM WINS HISTORICAL PRESERVATION AWARD
Tony Garcia, managing principal of AÇ Studios, is a recipient of a 2015 City of San Diego Historical Preservation Award for the firm’s contributions to the architectural rehabilitation of the George & Kathagene McCormack House located adjacent to Morley Field and the Balboa Park Golf Course in North Park.
Eight additional award recipients will be honored in a ceremony hosted on May 28 to celebrate their contributions to the preservation of San Diego’s history and heritage.
CHEF SWEENEY TO CLOSE R GANG EATERY
Chef Rich Sweeney has announced the closing of his Hillcrest restaurant, R Gang Eatery (RGE), with his last servings set for Mother’s Day on May 10.
Sweeney, who came to fame as a contestant on “Top Chef” on Bravo TV, has been busy with Florent Restaurant & Lounge, his swanky new restaurant in the Gaslamp. But he seemed genuinely sad to be closing RGE, as he wrote on Facebook:
“You have all gotten to be a part of my first project which has helped me to grow and do so much more already – with more to come. (If you haven’t been in yet, tick tock people!!). I have to thank my staff – no, they are my family. You have all TRULY been the driving force behind RGE, and I have been blessed to have so many incredible people in my life that I get to work shoulder to shoulder with. Thank you more than I can ever express – anyone who has worked at RGE over the last (almost) 5 years has been a part of my life, my dream, and my baby that is R Gang Eatery. I look forward to sharing some tots with everyone over the next week and a half, and cheering some Tang mimosas as we close the book on RGE. With love & tater tots, Chef Rich Sweeney”
RAY AT NIGHT RETURNS MAY 16
The monthly arts and culture experience, Ray at Night, returns on May 16 on Ray Street between University and North Park Way.
Art galleries, shops and coffeehouses will be open late with live performances from 6 to 10 p.m. featuring Digital Lizard of Doom, Creature and the Woods, Eddie G and The Impossibles, and Bill & Sandy.
Ray at Night is yet another event that makes North Park one of the fun places to visit. It’s free and open to the public.
OC BAKERY COMING TO UPTOWN
Blackmarket Bakery, which has a devoted following in the Orange County cities of Costa Mesa and Santa Ana, will soon be opening a new location at 4688 30th St. near Adams Avenue.
Pastry chef Rachel Klemek tells San Diego Eater that the Uptown bakery will likely anchor an expansion into America’s Finest City. The 30th Street bakery will take up 3,000 square feet of space that will include a dog-friendly, shaded patio comprising 1,500 square feet.
A glimpse at the bakery’s website at blackmarketbakery.com shows a menu packed with breads, breakfast pastries, breakfast sandwiches, savory sandwiches, cookies, cookie sundaes, tarts and bread pudding, cakes, confections, bean to bar chocolates, jams and artisan products … and even “sweet gear” to wear.
CONTRACTOR UPDATES BUILDING FOR IMAGING CENTER
Pacific Building Group and Raymond Fox and Associates have renovated a structure located at 150 W. Washington St. in Hillcrest. The 25,000-square-foot space will house Imaging Healthcare Specialists, an outpatient diagnostic imaging center.
The two-story building features state-of-the-art technology in medical imaging, ample patient parking, improved patient convenience and comfort along with associated administrative and support spaces.
“With the growing healthcare demands in San Diego, Imaging Healthcare Specialists had the need to consolidate two Hillcrest locations,” Jon M. Robins, MD, chairman and CEO of Imaging Healthcare Specialists, said in a statement. “With this consolidation, Imaging Healthcare Specialists will be better positioned to serve the Hillcrest community by delivery of high quality, effective, patient-focused care.”