Sprouts & Shutters: Chez Soi, Sugarpova, Rita's, Smog City Brewing, New Hotels

Wondering what new businesses are moving into your neighborhood, and which are saying farewell?

Our Sprouts & Shutters column highlights the latest restaurant, retail and other business news in South Bay's neighborhoods. 

Sprouts:

Chez Soi has opened in Manhattan Beach, Grub Street LA reported. French restaurateur Thierry Perez of Fraiche and L'Epicerie and actor Ty Burrell, who plays Phil Dunphy in ABC's Modern Family are the restaurant's owners. Chef Mark Gold's menu incorporates European flavors in dishes that include chestnut flour pasta and wild duck with buckwheat, plum and puffed kale. For vegetarians, the restaurant offers items using Southern California-sourced ingredients. Chez Soi is located in the space Sashi restaurant once occupied at 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Yelp! reviews have been mixed, but you can judge for yourself.

Manhattan Beach resident and tennis star Maria Sharapova launched her new candy line, Sugarpova, at Tabula Rasa Essentials in downtown Manhattan Beach. Sharapova, ranked second among the world's women tennis players, made an appearance Saturday at the store, located at 919 Manhattan Ave. The premium gummy candies come in various flavors with such names as Quirky, Flirty, Sporty and Chic and are manufactured in Spain.

in the Redondo Shores Shopping Center. The location is Rita's second store on the West Coast; one in Santa Clarita opened less than a week earlier, said co-owner Joshua Pascua. Pascua opened the Redondo location with his friend Jake Cosme. The pair will host a grand opening celebration on May 17. Also on the menu: gourmet vegan hand-twisted soft pretzels from Los Angeles-based Prospect Pretzels. One option they're looking to offer is a soft pretzel with a side of custard for dipping. 

Smog City Brewing received final approvals from the City of Torrance to begin brewing operations at its new Torrance brewery. While construction was underway, Smog City beer was hard to find at Los Angeles bars. But co-founder Laurie Porter said the beers will be more widely available now that brewing has begun. Smog City will be announcing a grand opening date for its in-brewery taproom and tasting room. Stay tuned.

Two new hotels broke ground in North Redondo Beach April 9. The Marriott Residence Inn and Hilton Garden Inn are expected to open in spring 2014 on land formerly occupied by the Malibu Castle miniature golf course. The Marriott plans to offer 172 rooms and the Hilton 147 rooms. Conference facilities will be available at both properties. The hotels are expected to create 100 new jobs in Redondo Beach.

If you've noticed any other new businesses moving into your neighborhood or businesses closing up shop, leave a comment at the bottom of this article and we'll check it out.