Beach Pit BBQ Bites The Dust

It has only been serving up barbecued foods for about one year, however, is closing its grills and its doors today at the at 32451 Golden Lantern St.

Owner Tim DeCinces said the reason is because there is too much competition in the center. Over the past year,  and have set up shop. Another problem, he said is the recent movie theaters to make way for a new deluxe theater concept complete with sushi and alcohol coming in 2012.

"We are closing the Beach Pit BBQ Laguna Niguel because our concept didn’t work up there. We wanted to create more of an express type model in a smaller foot print that was just about the food," he said. 

"Unfortunately when we first opened, the food wasn’t that great and we had a hard time getting the process right. Once we did, I think we had already missed the chance to make our impression and then Chipotle and 5 Guys came in and we weren’t going to get the opportunity to get the business back."

He said he is hoping to open Nekter Juice Bar in the same restaurant space in about 60 days.

"Nekter Juice is a proven concept in Corona del Mar and Newport Beach.  It is much different than a Jamba Juice. Nekter is a health store that features, raw, natural and vegan products that are very low in sugar," he explained. "We do lots of vegetable blends and cleanses that assist in weight loss, diabetics and general health goals."

Further, he said with Edwards now closed, and all of the remaining food options at the center, he believes a health oriented raw foods and juice store is "the perfect fit for the area."

There are five other Beach Pit BBQ locations that will remain open: Costa Mesa, Aliso Viejo, Tustin, Orange and Huntington Beach.