The sister brands will take over neighboring storefronts at 8243 and 8247 La Mesa Boulevard, creating a new dessert-and-comfort-food destination along one of La Mesa’s most active commercial corridors. The deal was brokered by Location Matters, which represented both the landlord and the tenants in leasing the two approximately 1,300-square-foot spaces. The back-to-back arrangement is designed to encourage foot traffic and establish a lively anchor for La Mesa Village, pairing savory pies and baked goods with small-batch, globally inspired ice cream.
Stella Jean’s Ice Cream will mark its seventh San Diego County location with the La Mesa opening. Known for rotating flavors that pull inspiration from around the world, the brand has built a devoted following through its emphasis on high-quality ingredients, thoughtful sourcing, and community-driven neighborhood shops.
Next door, Pop Pie Co. will debut its sixth countywide location. Founded in 2016, the concept has earned acclaim for its modern take on savory and sweet pies, combining comfort food nostalgia with chef-driven techniques and bold, globally influenced flavors. The brand has steadily expanded across San Diego while maintaining a reputation for consistency and craftsmanship.
The dual opening continues a period of measured growth for the Sweet & Savory Collective, the group led by Steven Torres and Executive Chef Gan Suebsarakham, which has focused on neighborhood-centric expansion rather than rapid scale. Recent openings in South Park, North Park, and North County have reinforced the group’s strategy of placing familiar concepts into walkable districts with strong local identities. The company also recently debuted Little While Café, a thoughtfully designed coffee shop located in the former Hawthorn Coffee space on Adams Avenue.
For La Mesa Village, the arrival of Pop Pie Co. and Stella Jean’s represents a notable addition to the area’s evolving food scene, bringing two established San Diego names into a district that has increasingly positioned itself as a dining and gathering hub for the East County community. The side-by-side setup is expected to function as a shared destination, drawing both longtime fans and new visitors to the Boulevard.
Pop Pie Co. and Stella Jean’s Ice Cream are expected to open later this year at 8243 and 8247 La Mesa Boulevard in La Mesa Village. For more information, visit poppieco.com and stellajeans.com.
Originally published on January 12, 2026.
Stella Jean’s Ice Cream will mark its seventh San Diego County location with the La Mesa opening. Known for rotating flavors that pull inspiration from around the world, the brand has built a devoted following through its emphasis on high-quality ingredients, thoughtful sourcing, and community-driven neighborhood shops.
Next door, Pop Pie Co. will debut its sixth countywide location. Founded in 2016, the concept has earned acclaim for its modern take on savory and sweet pies, combining comfort food nostalgia with chef-driven techniques and bold, globally influenced flavors. The brand has steadily expanded across San Diego while maintaining a reputation for consistency and craftsmanship.
The dual opening continues a period of measured growth for the Sweet & Savory Collective, the group led by Steven Torres and Executive Chef Gan Suebsarakham, which has focused on neighborhood-centric expansion rather than rapid scale. Recent openings in South Park, North Park, and North County have reinforced the group’s strategy of placing familiar concepts into walkable districts with strong local identities. The company also recently debuted Little While Café, a thoughtfully designed coffee shop located in the former Hawthorn Coffee space on Adams Avenue.
For La Mesa Village, the arrival of Pop Pie Co. and Stella Jean’s represents a notable addition to the area’s evolving food scene, bringing two established San Diego names into a district that has increasingly positioned itself as a dining and gathering hub for the East County community. The side-by-side setup is expected to function as a shared destination, drawing both longtime fans and new visitors to the Boulevard.
Pop Pie Co. and Stella Jean’s Ice Cream are expected to open later this year at 8243 and 8247 La Mesa Boulevard in La Mesa Village. For more information, visit poppieco.com and stellajeans.com.
Originally published on January 12, 2026.
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