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Loving Hut
The first Loving Hut restaurant was located in Taiwan, and the international interest grew almost overnight. There are now more than 120 Loving Hut restaurants worldwide, which includes 18 in the United States. When it came to deciding on
a location for San Diego, the owners of this franchise decided that El Cajon Boulevard was a prime location because the surrounding communities are wonderfully diverse, health conscious and take pride in their local surroundings.
In May of 2009, the Loving Hut hosted their Grand Opening event. Even in the rain, the participation was astounding and the staff was happy to see so many of their customers arrive by bicycle and on foot. City Councilman Todd Gloria
attended the ribbon cutting ceremony and Loving Hut catered a huge free welcome meal for the community.
Linda, who works at the restaurant, describes Loving Hut as "A whole lot of LOVIN!," which would explain why they have become so friendly with their regular customers, and are familiar with them on a first name basis. The staff takes
pride in developing an atmosphere that encourages friendly conversation between the staff and customers.
There are only a handful of vegetarian restaurants in San Diego, but Loving Hut has truly pushed the limits by serving only vegan food. Vegan food is not only meat free, but does not include animal bi-products, such as dairy, eggs or
honey. Whether you are vegetarian, vegan or an omnivore; the menu is a delicious fusion of Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese flavors that keeps people returning. They also have a western menu of food which includes dishes, such as hamburgers
and pasta as well as a great selection of vegan deserts. Loving Hut receives a lot of praise for their ability to specialize in so many different flavors.
Linda says embracing vegan food is not just a health conscience decision; it's a formula for improving one's self and the lives of others, which is why their motto is: "Be Veg, Go Green, Save the Planet," This philosophy is shared by the
Supreme Master Ching Hai, who is the inspiration for the growth of the Loving Hut chain.
It takes well over 2,000 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef, and forests are continually being destroyed to accommodate space for meat production. It is evident that people, cultures and resources are suffering, and Loving Hut
is doing their part by reaching out to others to improve our intake of food, and offer education on the environmental impacts of the meat industry. Many of their customers are extremely pleased with the results and encourage the Loving
Hut to open multiple locations around San Diego and become more involved in the public school system.
Loving Hut proudly participated in this year's Taste of University Heights and welcome community activities into their restaurant. In fact, Vegan San Diego hosts a cooking class at Loving Hut once a month, and if you're interested, you
can find the info online at vegansandiego.com. According to Linda, as more and more people around the world adopt a plant based diet, Loving Hut is a beacon of light for an alternative way of living. It's healthier, compassionate,
peaceful and a great way to help sustain our planet.
Meet Beryl Forman - Ms. Boulevard
Marketing director is unabashed promoter of El Cajon Boulevard retailers
By Ruby Cougler, North Park News
A creative dresser, with a head full of asymmetrical curls and a confident laugh, Beryl Forman just seems like the person to call when you want to find out if anything cool is happening this weekend. The 28-year-old marketing manager for
The El Cajon Boulevard Improvement Association is a member of a book club and a community garden. She enjoys riding her bike to work, making crusty, homemade olive bread and teaching the world how to properly eat a mango. She explains, "My
friends know me as Ms. Mango. I did a video on You Tube on how to slice a ‘mangolicious' mango."
Forman has a relaxed attitude and tends to be in the right place at the right time. She grew up in New Jersey, lived in New York, studied marketing in Indiana and did an internship in Hawaii. In the islands she fell in love with the giant,
rubber clogs called Crocs. When she got back to New Jersey and realized no one had heard of the shoes yet, she asked the company to let her sell them. She did such a good job that they offered her a permanent marketing position and sent
her to Southern California.
Given her freewheeling attitude regarding location, it is notable that Forman chose to settle in San Diego. She says she was inspired by the city's vibrancy and growth. She thought, "If I stay here, I'm going to see so much change right in
front of my eyes." San Diego's continuous development piqued her interest enough for her to pursue a certificate in urban planning from UCSD. "I wanted to be part of the revitalization and connect it to people's needs."
The Boulevard Business Improvement Association oversees the business district located one block north and one block south of El Cajon Boulevard between Park and 54th Street. The organization was the first of San Diego's 18 Business
Improvement Districts and made its first major statement with the erection of the neon Boulevard sign. Unlike most business improvement districts, The Boulevard spans six distinct neighborhoods: North Park, University Heights, City
Heights, Normal Heights, Kensington and Talmadge. Forman explains, "Because we run through six different communities, it is part of our job to brand The Boulevard and give it cohesion"
Click here to read the rest of the article.
Little Saigon Banner Design Contest
To create an identity for the newly founded 'Little Saigon' district, the El Cajon Boulevard BIA, in partnership with the Little Saigon Foundation are seeking three standardized designs to print on banners that will be hung on a select
number of light poles between Highland and Euclid along El Cajon Boulevard. Many, many thanks to Gary Benzel's graphic design students at SDSU!
Click here to see the photo album. Also, while you're checking out the photos, become friends with El Cajon Boulevard on
Facebook!
Yelp About the Boulevard
Chiropractique
2301 El Cajon Blvd
Yelper: I LOVE this place! Since day one of entering Chiropractique, I felt very welcomed. The decor of the place is very relaxing, very spa like. I especially like the waiting room. Listen to relaxing music and sit in the most
amazing massage chairs while you wait. Nice relaxing aromatherapy smells and very nice calming visuals to watch. This place really takes over your senses. just LOVE it!
The staff is amazing! I absolutely love Eileen! She gives the best massages in town. Don't let her little size fool you! Dr. Beau also takes very good care of me. He's the bomb!! :) As a hairstylist, these two definitely have whipped
my body back into shape!
Everyone that works there is really talented in their art and also very knowledgeable. If you are looking for an amazing treat for your body, this is the place. The price is absolutely affordable and the people are absolutely phenomenal!
Click
here for more yelp reviews.
Featured Art on the Boulevard
El Cajon Boulevard has the densest cluster of Vietnamese businesses in San Diego, so it seems only right that we create more public art that celebrates their culture and history. Thanks to the talented work of Richard DeRosset, there
is a wonderful depiction of the iconic landscape, architecture and activity of Vietnam on the corner of Euclid Ave and El Cajon Boulevard.
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