The owner of The French Gourmet Restaurant and Bakery in Pacific Beach is speaking out after a neighborhood backlash against the sale of his historic business that opened in 1989.
Almost two years ago, Michel Malecot said he received a substantial offer from Los Angeles-based developer Kalonymus, LLC for his property on Turquoise Street. Recently, home owners in the area discovered plans by the developer to build a 23 story residential building there.
“For the record, I had no idea of the extent of the project,” Malecot said in a video posted to The French Gourmet account on Instagram.
The French Gourmet Instagram
The French Gourmet Instagram
Michel Malecot used his business Instagram account to respond to a community backlash. regarding the sale of his French Gourment Resaurant and Bakery.
“The first six months of 2025 have been a financial disaster and I am depleting my personal resources to keep the French Gourmet afloat,” he also said on the video.
Brandon Roelofs just ate at the restaurant for the first time Sunday morning.
“Oh yeah, it was great! It’s not like any other place in P.B. It’s definitely a bummer because it’s really unique, you know,” Roelofs said after hearing news about the closing.
Stephanie Shapiro and her friend Barbara are much more invested in Malecot’s decision to sell and what could some day tower over the Pacific Beach community.
“We like to walk on the beach front and we treat ourselves to a cup of coffee and the most delicious croissants. We are devastated that this place is closing,” Barbara said, only wanting to give her first name.
M.G. Perez
M.G. Perez
Stephanie Shapiro (left) and her friend, Barbara, visited The French Gourmet, Sunday morning, for coffee and croissants, July 20. 2025.
The proposed height of a residential building is at the heart of the argument for most people who live in the neighborhood and don’t want it built. The developer has said there will be consideration for affordable housing.
Rich Miller is a nearby homeowner and long time customer of the French Gourmet. But not anymore.
“Absolutely not. Not since we found out he (Malecot) sold it to (the developer). He has no friends in this neighborhood,” Miller said.
Malecot also addressed the backlash from neighbors in his social media statement. “The community’s silent boycott of the French Gourmet and of our next door restaurant Froggy’s Bar and Grill, may cause me to have to close our doors sooner than planned,” he said.
“We’re going to continue to protest,” Miller said. “Whether it’s boycotting French Gourmet or anybody else who sells out to that company…whatever it takes.”
“This is a neighborhood gem, and then it will be gone. It will be different, and I understand that,” Shapiro said. But, it doesn’t have to be that different.”
Rich Miller said that he’ll continue to buy his Sunday morning coffee and sweet roll at the convenience store across the street.