Founded by Kim Le Pham, a wedding photographer and fashion blogger behind the popular blog Lace and Locks, Morning Lavender began as an online boutique inspired by Pham's vision of creating stylish, affordable clothing with a feminine touch. The boutique quickly grew in popularity, leading to pop-up shops then its first physical storefront in a remote corner of San Francisco. The company eventually opened a larger store with an onsite cafe in Pham's home town of Tustin, CA, in 2018. Known for its carefully curated selection of dresses, tops, and accessories, Morning Lavender has become a favorite shopping destination in Southern California.
The expansion to Solana Beach represents a significant next step for Pham and her husband, Jason Huang, who also contributes to the business. While the Tustin location includes a café, the Solana Beach boutique will elevate the experience further by offering a full restaurant, making it a go-to destination not only for shopping but also for dining. The restaurant concept will likely build on Morning Lavender's café-style offerings in Tustin, known for its popular afternoon tea service, which has made the boutique a favorite for celebrations like birthdays and bridal showers. The new location is in the process of applying for a Type 41 liquor license, which will also allow it to serve beer and wine.
Pham, whose background includes an impressive pivot from accounting to creative entrepreneurship, draws on her personal style. Her goal is to provide women with special-occasion wear that remains versatile enough for multiple events. After being named one of INC’s fastest-growing businesses in 2018, the brand has evolved to meet changing demands, even weathering pandemic challenges that saw a shift in customer preferences.
In Solana Beach, Morning Lavender’s new, 3,200 square-foot boutique will open in the base level of the Sandbox apartment complex, in an area known for its vibrant retail and dining scene. As Pham looks to bring her vision to San Diego, she continues to focus on customer experience, aiming to make her boutique a community hub as much as a retail space.
In Solana Beach, Morning Lavender’s new, 3,200 square-foot boutique will open in the base level of the Sandbox apartment complex, in an area known for its vibrant retail and dining scene. As Pham looks to bring her vision to San Diego, she continues to focus on customer experience, aiming to make her boutique a community hub as much as a retail space.
Morning Lavender is expected to open in 2025 at 329 South Highway 101, Suite 120, in San Diego's Solana Beach. For more information, visit morninglavender.com.
Originally published on October 31, 2024.