Craft & Commerce To Close For Renovations To Emerge As Dual Concept

September 7, 2015

On Tuesday, September 8, CH Projects will temporarily close the doors to their Little Italy staple, Craft & Commerce, as they prepare for the build out of an undisclosed new concept located directly adjacent to the existing restaurant. During a temporary closure, Craft & Commerce will also undergo significant kitchen and design updates for the highly anticipated arrival of newly appointed Executive Chef, Jose “JoJo” Ruiz (Ironside Fish & Oyster, Searsucker, Herringbone, The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Tower 23).

Having recently acquired a 1,000 square-foot property (a next-door apartment within Allegro Towers), the build out will transform Craft & Commerce’s 675 W Beech St. real estate into a distinctly unique dual-concept. While details on the hospitality collective’s latest venture are being kept under wraps, the property will bring an exciting new element to the Little Italy neighborhood.

Chef JoJo Ruiz

The remodel of the 2,500 square-foot restaurant, courtesy of Craft & Commerce’s original designer Paul Basile of BASILE Studio, will bring physical updates to the interior design, an outdoor patio expansion with custom fire pit tables, and a total kitchen overhaul in preparation for Executive Chef JoJo Ruiz’s new culinary program.

A San Diego native, at the young age of 27, JoJo’s culinary experience includes operating a largely successful restaurant as executive chef of Brian Malarkey’s former Herringbone in La Jolla prior to spending the past year and a half as the right hand man of Michelin-starred Chef/Partner Jason McLeod at Little Italy’s acclaimed Ironside Fish & Oyster.

“I would consider whole animal butchery to be one of my strengths, and having spent the past few years working primarily with seafood, I’m excited at the opportunity to collaborate with local farms to source a variety of hearty proteins for Craft & Commerce’s new menu,” says Chef JoJo. In the heart of his revamped kitchen, a new wood-fired grill, custom made for the restaurant by Grillworks, will fill the dining room with the sounds of crackling embers the seductively smoky flavors that only burning hardwood can impart.

Prior to his pivotal position at Ironside and Herringbone, JoJo spent time working at notable San Diego’s dining establishments including Searsucker, JRDN at Tower 23, and Oceanaire.

There is no word on the exact date when Craft & Commerce will reopen.