A high-profile restaurant space that has sat dark for more than a year in the heart of Leucadia is finally poised for a new chapter as Laguna Beach-based Oto Sushi is preparing to open its first San Diego County location within the former MRKT SPACE, bringing an upscale sushi concept focused on sustainably sourced seafood into one of North County’s most visible restaurant corridors.
The impending arrival marks the latest transformation for a property that was once home to one of San Diego’s most ambitious hospitality startups. When Australia-inspired market and cafe concept MRKT SPACE debuted on the base floor of The Beacons building in Leucadia in late 2020, the business quickly became a neighborhood gathering place, blending specialty coffee, gourmet groceries, wine retail, cocktails, all-day dining and community events within a stylish coastal setting. The company expanded to La Jolla Shores in 2022 and announced plans for an even larger evening-focused restaurant in San Diego’s Bankers Hill neighborhood.
At the time, founders described MRKT SPACE as more than a cafe, positioning it as a modern neighborhood hub inspired by similar concepts popular throughout Australia. The growth appeared rapid. The brand attracted significant media attention, glowing lifestyle coverage, and a devoted customer base drawn to its blend of upscale convenience store, bottle shop, cafe and restaurant…