CARLSBAD — In a quiet corner of the Carlsbad Village Plaza shopping center, a longstanding neighborhood pharmacy is facing an uncertain future.
For the past decade, Adam Morisoli has run the Carlsbad Village Pharmacy, a local institution that has provided personalized care to residents for over 40 years.
“We’ve been here for 10 years, but there’s been a pharmacy in this exact location for 40-plus years,” Morisoli said.
The pharmacy is one of several small businesses forced to reckon with displacement after the Carlsbad City Council recently approved controversial plans to rebuild Village Plaza, a proposal that drew significant community opposition.
Despite local objections, the council’s decision aligns with state housing mandates that leave local officials with limited control over new development projects.
The approved redevelopment plan consists of a mixed-use complex featuring two five-story buildings with 218 residential units, including 27 affordable units. The project will replace several local businesses, including a French bakery, a bar, a furniture shop, an Ace Hardware, and a Smart & Final grocery store.
Morisoli acknowledged that relocating would present significant challenges for the pharmacy.
“It will not only be a physical and mental hardship, but it’s going to be a financial hardship for the business too, and it’ll be a factor that goes into whether we’re actually able to relocate or not,” Morisoli said. “Obviously, we’d like to be able to do it and stay in the community and serve our community, but financially, it might just not make sense to relocate.”
The redevelopment proposal, approved in September, triggered frustration from local residents concerned about the loss of beloved small businesses and the transformation of their neighborhood’s character. Many argued that the project would contribute to overcrowding and disrupt the fabric of the community.
However, state regulations, such as the Housing Accountability Act and density bonus laws, restricted the council’s ability to reject the plan.
Carlsbad Mayor Keith Blackburn expressed his frustration with the state’s involvement in housing decisions, referring to lawmakers as “cowards and bullies” for overriding local autonomy while leaving city officials to manage public backlash.
“The state thinks they’re doing such a wonderful job running the state, now they want to run all of our cities,” Blackburn said. “But they don’t know what’s best for each city.”
Despite his disapproval, Blackburn acknowledged that the council’s hands were tied, and it had no choice but to approve the project.
Carlsbad resident Martin Danner, a community activist who lives a mile from the shopping center, said he worries about how the redevelopment would affect elderly residents who rely on the existing businesses for essential services.
“There are a lot of seniors in the area who live on fixed incomes, so the Smart & Final [in the shopping center] is nice and convenient,” Danner said, recognizing the plaza rebuild calls for a new market. “The market they’re proposing, I went to the one they have in La Jolla to compare; it’s less than the size of a Trader Joe’s and about 68% more expensive.”
Steve DeNault, owner of DeNault Ace Hardware in the plaza, said he had been aware of the redevelopment plan for some time but hoped to remain in the location as long as possible.
“We’re in a situation where we have good relations with our landlord,” DeNault said. “We love our customers, and we have some great employees down here. We’re just hoping this thing takes a long time because we like being here.”
The development is being promoted as a sustainable, “transit-oriented” project that includes a parking structure with 350 spaces, electric vehicle charging stations, and a mix of commercial spaces, including restaurants and shops with outdoor seating.
The owner of the 4-acre retail center, Tooley Asset Services Company, could not be reached for comment.
Reflecting on his concerns over Carlsbad Village’s changing character, Morisoli emphasized the importance of his pharmacy and other small businesses to the community. Despite the challenges ahead, Morisoli said he’d prefer to continue running his independent storefront at another location rather than work for a large chain pharmacy.
“It’s a tough position for us to be in,” he said. “But I wouldn’t want to do anything different, because I love being where we are, and I love serving the community that we do.”
