March 6, 2017

Meet Breegan Vallas of Leona in Venice Beach

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Breegan Vallas.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started as a retail store owner and designer as a teenager. That passion grew over several design opportunities I was fortunate enough to have as I matured creatively and professionally. The idea of Leona began as a space that I wanted to provide as a dining home for local Venice families. At the same time, I wanted it to be inspiring enough for travelers around the world. We started with the purchase of an old, worn deli and turned it into an enlightened space that welcomed the beach surfer and business professional alike. It was an inclusive idea, but the diversity in California, especially in our Venice Beach community, evokes that kind of creativity. I wanted Leona to encompass that fully and completely, from the guests to the food to the imagery within the interior design.

Has it been a smooth road?
Opening up a restaurant is one of the hardest endeavors anyone can attempt. On top of the enormous task of opening a new establishment and personally taking on the interior design of the space, I was a new mom with a one-year-old son AND pregnant with my second son (who was actually born a week after we opened the doors). That last push to get the restaurant open for the public while nine months pregnant was definitely a challenge, but it made me realize that if I can accomplish and get through that, I can do anything.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Leona is a thriving business in the Venice area. I feel so fortunate that, as an owner, I was able to utilize my interior design talents in a way that was so heartfelt for me. It wasn’t just a business venture; it was a chance to create a warm, inviting space for any guest in the Venice community who would come through our doors.

I specialize in making beautiful spaces without spending exorbitant amounts of money, so having the business interest in mind while also being able to utilize my creative talent was a blessing. I’m extremely proud of the establishment that people walk into. I know that it is beautiful because my heart was poured into it, not because I bought expensive things to make it pretty.

What makes Leona different is its ability to cater to a broad, extremely diverse audience. I wanted it to have that natural feeling of home with a casual flair for elevated excellence, and I achieved that. On any given day we have young, millennial diners as well as sophisticated, seasoned foodies…and toddlers running around in between them. That makes my heart soar.

If you had to start over, what would you have done differently?
The nature of being a creative individual is sometimes only seeing the flaws that could have been avoided; that mindset is pervasive. But the thing I love about being an interior designer and creating various spaces is, once I’ve finished a design project, I get to create a completely new canvas with the next one. Although the restaurant has its personality and voice, I’m able to start over with other interior design projects and do something totally different. I don’t necessarily think about what I could have done better because my job allows me the opportunity to do that again and again. I get to perfect my vision and creativity every day.

Contact Info: