Owned and operated by newly married couple Hannah Kinney and her husband Peter Kobulnicky, Jaybird Superette is the culmination of decades spent working at some of the East Coast’s most respected food institutions. The duo relocated to San Diego after falling in love with the city and recognizing a clear gap in the market for a small, high-quality neighborhood shop grounded in craftsmanship and education.
Kinney brings extensive experience as a cheesemonger and catering manager at Cambridge’s legendary Formaggio Kitchen, while her husband built his career as a baker, working at acclaimed bakeries, Thomas Keller’s Per Se in New York, and later owning a bakery and beer hall in Providence, Rhode Island. Together, they also helped open Nouvelle Maison, a French-inspired specialty food shop in Winchester, Massachusetts, before deciding it was time to build something of their own.
Jaybird Superette has officially received health department approval and is planning a soft opening around February 1, followed by a grand opening during Valentine’s Day weekend. The team is currently planning a neighborhood-focused celebration on Sunday, February 15, featuring a large grazing table and raffles designed as a welcoming introduction to the community.
The shop’s offerings are intentionally broad but carefully edited. Mornings will feature coffee and a limited pastry selection, while lunch will center on sandwiches made with house-baked bread and fresh salads. As the day progresses, the space will transition into cheese, charcuterie, and tinned fish plates designed for happy hour and early evenings.
At the heart of the store is a six-foot, cut-to-order cheese case showcasing roughly 30 to 40 rotating selections. While California cheeses will be heavily represented, the lineup will also include standout producers from across the United States, Europe, Canada, and Mexico, many sourced through personal relationships the owners have built with cheesemakers and affineurs over the years.
The market side of Jaybird Superette will offer a tightly curated range of pantry staples including pasta, tomatoes, olive oils, vinegars, crackers, jams, honeys, chocolates, and other essentials meant to make dinner planning possible without leaving the neighborhood. The philosophy, according to Kinney, is simple: sell the best products available at fair prices, whether they come from down the road or across the globe.
The beverage program is equally considered. Wine selections will focus on low-intervention, organic, and biodynamic producers, with an emphasis on accessible weeknight bottles alongside a smaller selection for special occasions. Beer will highlight smaller Southern California breweries with a few favorites from beyond the region, while sake, mead, soft drinks, and non-alcoholic options round out the offerings. With an on- and off-premises license, Jaybird Superette will also pour wine by the glass on its patio and offer a small selection of thoughtfully crafted cocktails.
Unlike many specialty shops that prioritize speed alone, Jaybird Superette is designed to serve as both a quick stop and a place to stay awhile. With limited third spaces on Soledad Mountain, the owners hope their patio becomes a casual gathering spot for neighbors to meet over coffee, wine, or a shared plate, while still functioning as a reliable stop for last-minute ingredients or hostess gifts.
Community engagement is central to the concept. The shop plans to close early on Sundays to host classes, tastings, visiting cheesemakers and winemakers, private events, and educational programming. The goal is to create a space that feels owned by the neighborhood, rather than simply serving it.
The story behind the name adds a deeply personal layer. Jaybird Superette is named in honor of Kinney’s grandmother, who was tragically killed two years ago and had once joked she would return as a blue jay in her next life. Shortly after receiving the news, a blue jay appeared nearby, a moment Kinney describes as a sign to keep moving forward. The store’s signage even incorporates lettering reconstructed from her grandmother’s handwritten notes, embedding that spirit directly into the space.
Jaybird Superette is expected to open in early February at 6435 Caminito Blythefield in La Jolla. For more information, follow @jaybirdsuperette on Instagram.
Originally published on January 21, 2026.