Carlsbad Village’s various local shops have been a major part of the town’s shopping culture for decades. However, as of September 2025, the purchase of The Shoppes at Carlsbad is expected to transform the retail landscape.
Steerpoint Capital and SteelWave purchased the Shoppes at Carlsbad for $71.5 million. Renovations will include improved restrooms and new stores to occupy currently vacant spaces, exciting locals in anticipation of the commencement date.
“I’m excited for the renovations because I feel like The Shoppes at Carlsbad doesn’t have many options right now,” freshman Ella Sciortino said. “So I’m excited to have more fun stores to shop at.”
Brandy Melville, Lululemon and PacSun are among the most popular stores CHS students hope will find a place in the renovated mall. Sciortino says that the renovations will increase the mall’s draw and popularity, especially among teens.
“My friends and I used to go to the mall more often, but now that there aren’t many good places to shop, we don’t go there as much,” Sciortino said. “But, if there are better stores, we’ll probably go there way more often.”
Additional nationwide brands are opening stores throughout Carlsbad. In early November 2025, Abercrombie & Fitch opened a location at The Forum Carlsbad. Sophomore Sophia Volden looks forward to having more stores close by.
“I do support more national brands coming to Carlsbad because it will be more convenient for my friends and I to shop at stores we like,” Volden said.
At the heart of Carlsbad is Carlsbad Village, a lively downtown hub of many small businesses. As the Carlsbad shopping scene grows, sophomore Hannah Schexnayder says cost is becoming a significant factor in deciding where to shop.
“I only prefer to shop at bigger brands because they cost less,” Schexnayder said. “But if [higher] prices weren’t a thing, I would choose to shop at more local stores.”
Competition with large brands is a common challenge for small businesses. However, Volden says she’s confident that Carlsbad Village will keep its charm, despite growing commercialization.
“I think small businesses will definitely struggle, but some will still thrive because they have good [products],” Volden said. “Also, they’re popular with the Carlsbad locals.”
