Irvine Co. centers offer new stores

The Irvine Co. coastal retails centers, known for their places for

the community to shop, dine and gather, offer a variety of shopping

and dining experiences in scenic settings.

The following new stores and restaurants have opened recently, or

are scheduled to open soon, at the company’s retail centers located

along the Newport coast.

Just in time to celebrate its 35th anniversary in September,

Fashion Island has recently completed construction on a new paseo,

offering several new retail stores and a soon-to-open restaurant

that’s experiencing great popularity at its other location in the

Irvine Spectrum Center. In addition, a new anchor tenant and new

casual dining spots are opening up in local favorite Atrium Court.

Located between Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s, the new retail area

includes The Children’s Place, LensCrafters and Ritz Camera, which

relocated and expanded from another space within Fashion Island.

Slated to open in early August is Sunshine in Newport, a boutique

offering casual clothing for women’s and children. Opening in the

fall is Thaifoon -- Taste of Asia, by Desert Island Restaurants,

operator of Fashion Island’s Roy’s. The restaurant, now under

construction, is located opposite the recently remodeled Daily Grill.

The new offerings at Atrium Court include Beverages & more!,

California’s largest specialty store of wine, beer and spirits, and

Cento & Fanti Brick Oven Pizzeria & Bakery.

Opening in August are Philadelphia Grill, which will serve freshly

prepared, traditional Philly cheese steak sandwiches, and Oak Tree

Market, featuring the best of the former Farmer’s Market with a salad

bar, Boar’s Head deli, hot food counter, sushi bar, wine bar and

full-service bakery.

In addition, La Salsa will move across Atrium Court to a larger

space and will open the new location on Aug. 1. November will bring

the opening of Tacone, offering an extensive menu of freshly prepared

gourmet wraps.

The Irvine Co.’s newest retail center to open is Newport Coast

Shopping Center. Located at Newport Coast Drive and San Joaquin Hills

Road in Newport Coast, the center will ultimately have 26 stores,

services and casual dining restaurants.

Stores already open include Pavilions, featuring a hot bakery,

full-service deli, service seafood case, fine wine selection, natural

foods department and a Starbucks. Toy Boat, the popular toy store

known for its classic toys, has opened its third location in the area

and carries books, games, puzzles, tricycles, wagons and dolls.

PureBeauty also recently opened, and offers consultations, products,

and services for hair, skin and body. The store carries 5,000

different products and features licensed cosmetologists and

estheticians specializing in hair care and skin care.

Also open is Celebrations Plus, a gift shop and party boutique

proving full-service mailing and shipping services. Offering one-stop

shopping for gifts, Celebrations Plus gives customers the ability to

select a gift, have it wrapped and packaged for shipment and sent

anywhere in the world. Happy Nails Salon, a full-service salon

offering manicures and pedicures, facial and skin care and spa

treatments, is also open. The salon specializes in acrylic and silk

nail services and is known for its quality service and use of high

tech and sterilized equipment.

Another service for shoppers is Newport Ridge Cleaners, known for

its environmentally safe method of dry cleaning called the GreenEarth

Cleaning System. Newport Coast Shopping Center also has a

full-service Wells Fargo Bank. Soon to open at the center is Bellagio

Spa & Salon, a full-service, European-style spa and hair salon;

Pelican Coast Dental; Coldwell Banker and Cingular Wireless.

Another of The Irvine Co.’s centers known for its shopping and

dining is Corona del Mar Plaza. This center has attracted a loyal

following enamored of its collection of fun and creative shops, such

as Mi Place, Subtle Tones, Three Dog Bakery and Italiano Home Store.

Gulfstream, formerly known as Cowboy Seafood, is a popular spot for

locals and recently opened for lunch. Gulfstream serves fresh

oysters, seafood and high quality steaks.

The newest coastal lifestyle center set to open in mid-October is

the widely anticipated Crystal Cove Promenade. With the feel of a

European village nestled into the shore’s edge, the center will offer

Mediterranean-inspired architecture and panoramic ocean views from

its location across South Coast Highway in Newport Beach. Its upscale

line-up of stores includes Gap, Banana Republic, Uh-Oh, Millie,

Santos & Graham and Trader Joes. It will also offer a variety of

dining choices, including casual cafes and two signature restaurants.

* JANE GILLESPIE is the Irvine Co.’s retail consultant.