The corner of West Washington Street and Goldfinch Street, one of Mission Hills' busiest restaurant intersections, is in for a major shakeup. Merritte and Hailey Powell, the owners of La Puerta, are planning a still-unnamed restaurant at 902 West Washington that will take over the longtime neighborhood space currently home to Harley Gray.
The Powells have filed a liquor-license application and brought on architect Mark Bausback to work on the redesign, clear signs the project is moving from casual idea to active buildout, according to WhatNow. Early details point to a full-service restaurant with a sizable bar, and the team is aiming for seven-day service that covers lunch, brunch, happy hour and late night, WhatNow reports. A name and opening date have not yet been announced.
Harley Gray's Run Comes To An End
Harley Gray opened in 2014 and grew into a Mission Hills staple before its final service was scheduled for Friday, December 19, 2025, according to SanDiegoVille. Owner John Ealy has described the decision to sell as a personal one and will retain rights to the Harley Gray name, the outlet reports.
Over 12 years, Harley Gray built a loyal crowd with an approachable all-day menu and a reputation as a gay-owned, inclusive neighborhood gathering spot. For regulars, the end date on the calendar is more than a business transaction, it closes a chapter on a go-to corner hangout that helped anchor Mission Hills' dining scene.
Powells Plan A Neighborhood Spot
The Powells already operate a Mission Hills outpost of La Puerta, which opened in the neighborhood in 2021, and see the new purchase as a chance to create another true local hangout, according to Eater San Diego. While they are keeping the menu and branding under wraps for now, they have said the concept will be new, not a second La Puerta, and will nod to Harley Gray's long-standing neighborhood role, WhatNow notes. The liquor-license filing makes it clear that bar service will sit at the center of the plan.
Located at 902 West Washington, the space sits in the middle of Mission Hills' tight restaurant corridor and appears in neighborhood business listings, underscoring how visible this change will be for locals, according to the Mission Hills BID directory. Events such as Taste of Mission Hills have regularly featured both Harley Gray and La Puerta, turning that corner into a familiar rally point for neighbors and out-of-towners alike. The handoff means familiar faces and menu staples will give way to a new team and new dishes, a reminder that Restaurant Row in Mission Hills does not stay frozen in time for long.
SanDiegoVille reports that Ealy plans to shift his attention to other projects while keeping the Harley Gray name, and the Powells' license filing is the strongest public indication that their new restaurant is moving ahead. There is no opening date yet. Neighbors can expect a wave of permit filings and design renderings as the Powells and architect Mark Bausback finalize plans for the space. This story will be updated as the team reveals a name, menu and timeline for the new Mission Hills spot.
