The popular dumpling house Din Tai Fung is coming to Brea Mall, part of a multimillion-dollar redevelopment plan launched in September.
Several new tenants will join a sprawling outdoor retail area, approved by the city last December.
With no timeline announced, property owner Simon said it’s bringing to the mall the high-end fitness gym operator Life Time, Zara, Pacific Catch, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Philz Coffee and The Melt.
Also see: Philz, Snooze, Sender One among new shops coming to Bella Terra
Din Tai Fung first opened in Orange County in 2014, drawing big lines at South Coast Plaza as diners waited to enjoy Shanghai-style soup dumplings. The family-owned restaurant chain has locations in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Korea. It’s been expanding across Southern California ever since.
By demolishing the former Sears store and its auto store and building on 7 acres of parking lot space, Simon will have room to add an outdoor retail setting featuring a plaza, greenery and an array of shops entered from the street.
The mall operator also is adding a seven-story apartment complex with several hundred units.
You can check out more of Simon’s plans for the mall at simon.com/breamallmakeover
Pasea Hotel launches restaurant renovations
Tanner’s Restaurant at Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach is closing Monday, Oct. 30 as the hotel embarks on a $5 million renovation of its dining venues.
A new food and beverage program is planned for spring 2024.
The hotel, which debuted at the beach in 2016, hired Vincent Savignano as its director of food and beverage to lead the renovations. He previously was in charge of food and beverage operations at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa after a three-year stint as that hotel’s executive chef.
Amid the renovations, Pasea will open a pop-up concept called The Study Kitchen + Bar. It will have an indoor dining room, bar and ocean-view veranda and dining options in the hotel’s private cabanas.
Treehouse Lounge, the rooftop bar at the hotel, will remain open during most of the renovation period.
Editor’s note: Operators of Paséa Hotel on Tuesday said that Tanner’s closing date has moved to Oct. 30 instead of Oct. 29.
Goodwill replacing shuttered Big Lots in Orange
Orange residents may have noticed there is new life coming to a vacant Big Lots in the same shopping center as Home Depot.
A temporary Goodwill poster hangs from the building at 1821 N Tustin St., where workers were seen moving in and out of the retail space.
Goodwill confirmed the store will open by December, marking the second retail shop for the nonprofit in the city.
The organization told the Register in September that it is on a 10-year expansion plan to double its footprint locally. It recently opened another new store in at 790 N. Brookhurst St. in Anaheim.
CEO Nicole Suydam said in a Sept. 1 story that Goodwill OC has a “bold goal” of growing to about 50 stores by the next decade.
The nonprofit operates 23 secondhand retail shops in the county, including five OC Goodwill Boutiques and its e-commerce platform ShopGoodwill.com.
AlzOC gala is Nov. 11 in Irvine
Alzheimer’s Orange County will host its annual gala fundraiser Nov. 11 in Irvine with the theme “A Night to Remember.”
The event will feature Grammy award-winning singer Steve Tyrell. Festivities include a cocktail reception, dinner and concert with Tyrell, followed by a dessert and dancing.
The AlzOC gala also will have a live auction and a virtual silent auction.
To learn more about the event and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.alzoc.org/gala.
Art collection at JWA
The Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach’s art collection is now on display at three terminals at John Wayne Airport.
The exhibit is available through Nov. 1 and features nearly 90 artworks by 60 artists selected from the Festival’s Permanent Art Collection.
On the move
Elizabeth Andrade has been named executive director for 2-1-1 Orange County, a free service that connects residents to housing, food assistance, utilities, transportation and other resources offered by local nonprofits and government agencies.
Appointments
Orange County resident Stephen Hicklin has been appointed as a judge in the Orange County Superior Court. Hicklin, who has been a sole practitioner since 2018 and of counsel at Bonial & Associates PC since 2020, fills the vacancy created by James L. Crandall, who retired. Hicklin is a Democrat.
Aliso Viejo resident Christina Petteruto has been appointed to the advisory council on Improving Interactions between People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Law Enforcement. Petteruto has been general counsel at the Regional Center of Orange County since 2017. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Petteruto is a Republican.
Good works
As part of Mental Illness Awareness Week, community volunteers and staff at the Be Well campus in Orange painted Green Bench OC’s newest bench installation. The movement aims to improve community understanding and acceptance of mental health and wellness. By painting benches lime green, community organizations reduce stigma and create safe spaces for mental health conversations.
Higher Ground Youth & Family Services in Anaheim raised $565,000 at their annual fundraising gala on Sept. 30 at its Decade of Impact Gala. The event raised money to help underserved youth and families. For more information or to donate, visit Highergroundoc.Org.
San Clemente’s Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens raised over $240,000 at the Toast to the Casa gala. The money will go toward Casa Romantica’s rebuilding efforts.
Friendly Center raised $145,000 at its One Heart Gala held Sept. 30 at The Ranch Events Center in Anaheim. The money will go toward providing stability, opportunity and hope to Orange County children and families in crisis.
Status Update is compiled from press releases by contributing writer Karen Levin and edited by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to sgowen@scng.com. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.
