When a fire engulfed the Shatto & Sons building in late 2019, James “Jim” Shatto was presented with an opportunity to start fresh.

“I had numerous people say, ‘Jim, you’ve gotta bring it back the way it was. (They wanted) something that represented Leucadia,” Shatto says.

Despite hurdles and delays, which included a sharp increase in building material costs, the new building is finally complete.

Along with a character that aligns with the community’s look and feel, Shatto included a personal touch as well — a red and white barn square affixed to the exterior.

A call back to Shatto’s midwest origins, he explains that barn squares are a fixture of the region.

“I thought it would be a nice touch,” he says.

The building, located at the corner of Daphne Street and Coast Highway 101 in the Encinitas community of Leucadia, has also been adorned with a 70-foot beach scene mural by artist Kevin Anderson.

Shatto founded his custom T-shirt art and apparel business in 1975. In 2008, he retired, and son Ryan Shatto took over. Jim explains that his son considered returning to the Coast Highway 101 location, but in the interim has found success working off premises.

Peace Pies, a raw and vegan restaurant that was a tenant of the original building, will be returning to the new space. It will be joined by Leucadia Barber Shop and a new venture from Valentina Restaurant owner Mario Guerra.

Guerra explains that the eatery is still in the planning phase but aims to open in February or March of next year. It will offer coastal Mexican cuisine, and the space will include a wine bar.

“We’re very excited to bring an approachable seafood restaurant to the community,” he says.

Guerra adds that he has used Shatto & Sons as his business T-shirt provider.

Shatto is grateful for the community’s support in the rebuilding process.

“It was like a blessing that I could work with (C3Bank) because they are totally cool. They knew the whole story of my history and took care of it,” he says.

He also credits architect Warren Scott and Jeff Adams, owner of WaveCrest General Contracting, considering himself lucky to be able to work with them.

Shatto says that he’s received positive feedback on the new building, both from acquaintances and people he’s never met before.

“They go, ‘Jim, thank you so much for the way you designed this building,’” he says. “They’re happy it fits in with Leucadia.”

Charlene Pulsonetti is a local freelance writer.