According to a California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control filing, a pending Type 47 full liquor license has been transferred to FIVE OLIVES LLC, an entity tied to Juan Carlos Gomez, the longtime owner of El Agave Mexican Restaurant & Tequileria in Old Town. The license is associated with 2706 Fifth Avenue, the corner space that housed Barrio Star Mexican Soul Food for more than 15 years prior to its closure in late 2025.
While no official announcement has been made regarding what concept will take over the space, the involvement of Gomez suggests a potentially ambitious project. Gomez opened El Agave in 1996, building it into one of San Diego’s most established Mexican dining destinations, known for its refined regional cuisine and extensive collection of more than 2,000 tequilas and mezcals. Over the years, he has experimented with additional concepts, including Iberico Spanish Bistro in La Jolla (since closed) and, more recently, Nômade Tapas & Records in North Park, a globally influenced small plates concept centered around music and low-ABV offerings.
The Bankers Hill location carries significant visibility and history. Barrio Star, originally opened in 2010 by chef Isabel Cruz, became a neighborhood staple known for its vibrant décor and inventive take on “modern Mexican soul food.” Its closure marked the end of a long-running presence in a space that has remained a focal point along the Fifth Avenue corridor between Hillcrest and downtown.
The pending liquor license transfer signals that redevelopment of the site is actively moving forward, though key details, including the restaurant’s name, cuisine, and projected opening timeline, have not been publicly disclosed. Based on Gomez’s track record, the project is unlikely to be a simple replication of El Agave and may instead introduce a new concept tailored to the neighborhood.
The property at 2706 Fifth Avenue in San Diego’s Bankers Hill neighborhood is currently under transition, with the liquor license listed as pending as of March 30, 2026. No official opening date or concept details have been announced as of publication.
Originally published on March 31, 2026.
