When the globally known Taiwanese chain arrived in San Diego in fall 2014, it debuted in this very space in San Diego's Balboa Mesa area near the Convoy District. At the time, 85°C was riding a wave of worldwide popularity, drawing long lines for its grab-and-go pastries, fresh-baked breads, sponge cakes, and signature Sea Salt Coffee.
Two years later, the company doubled down on its San Diego presence, announcing plans for rapid local expansion. By mid-2016, new shops in Mira Mesa and National City were already underway, with executives describing San Diego as an ideal market and praising communities like Mira Mesa for their diverse mix of military, biotech, high-tech, and international residents.
But over the past year, customers began noticing signs of strain at the Balboa Mesa café. Regulars reported sparse pastry cases, shorter hours, and quieter afternoons that contrasted sharply with the packed lines seen during the chain’s early San Diego boom. Several community members reported the shelves have been running low for months, while others commented that the large footprint of the Balboa Mesa space always seemed mismatched with the store’s actual volume. Some pointed to broader financial struggles within the brand overseas, including large-scale closures across Asia, and described the overall menu as overdue for modernization.
The reasons for the shutdown remain unconfirmed. One shopper was told the store was closing permanently, while another customer said employees cited steep rent increases within the Balboa Mesa Shopping Center. Others speculated that shifting spending habits, rising operating costs, and increased competition in the area also played a role. Patrons expressed mixed emotions, with some lamenting the loss of a longtime favorite for milk tea and pastries, and others saying they preferred newer bakery options at nearby markets.
While the Balboa Mesa branch is closing, the chain is not retreating from the region. Locations in University Town Center, Mira Mesa, National City, and Oceanside remain open. Persistent community rumors suggest that 85°C may be preparing a new location along Convoy Street, which would place the bakery in the heart of San Diego’s most concentrated Asian dining corridor, though no official announcement has been made. A claim of an upcoming shop in Santee also remains unverified.
A closure notice posted in-store confirms that the Balboa Mesa location will serve its final customers on December 19, with staff thanking guests for more than a decade of support. The Balboa Mesa closure ends an 11-year chapter for a store that helped introduce San Diegans to the global brand’s mix of Taiwanese and European-style baking. For fans of its pastries, teas, and Sea Salt Coffee, there are still other San Diego options - but the departure of the founding location is a nostalgic loss for many who remember the once-long lines and the excitement of 85°C’s arrival in the city.
85°C Bakery Cafe will close after end of business on Friday, December 19 at 5575 Balboa Avenue, Suite 330, in San Diego's Clairemont community. For more information, visit 85cbakerycafe.com.
But over the past year, customers began noticing signs of strain at the Balboa Mesa café. Regulars reported sparse pastry cases, shorter hours, and quieter afternoons that contrasted sharply with the packed lines seen during the chain’s early San Diego boom. Several community members reported the shelves have been running low for months, while others commented that the large footprint of the Balboa Mesa space always seemed mismatched with the store’s actual volume. Some pointed to broader financial struggles within the brand overseas, including large-scale closures across Asia, and described the overall menu as overdue for modernization.
The reasons for the shutdown remain unconfirmed. One shopper was told the store was closing permanently, while another customer said employees cited steep rent increases within the Balboa Mesa Shopping Center. Others speculated that shifting spending habits, rising operating costs, and increased competition in the area also played a role. Patrons expressed mixed emotions, with some lamenting the loss of a longtime favorite for milk tea and pastries, and others saying they preferred newer bakery options at nearby markets.
While the Balboa Mesa branch is closing, the chain is not retreating from the region. Locations in University Town Center, Mira Mesa, National City, and Oceanside remain open. Persistent community rumors suggest that 85°C may be preparing a new location along Convoy Street, which would place the bakery in the heart of San Diego’s most concentrated Asian dining corridor, though no official announcement has been made. A claim of an upcoming shop in Santee also remains unverified.
A closure notice posted in-store confirms that the Balboa Mesa location will serve its final customers on December 19, with staff thanking guests for more than a decade of support. The Balboa Mesa closure ends an 11-year chapter for a store that helped introduce San Diegans to the global brand’s mix of Taiwanese and European-style baking. For fans of its pastries, teas, and Sea Salt Coffee, there are still other San Diego options - but the departure of the founding location is a nostalgic loss for many who remember the once-long lines and the excitement of 85°C’s arrival in the city.
85°C Bakery Cafe will close after end of business on Friday, December 19 at 5575 Balboa Avenue, Suite 330, in San Diego's Clairemont community. For more information, visit 85cbakerycafe.com.
Originally published on November 26, 2025.
