A live music and comedy venue is coming to San Juan Capistrano, replacing the recently shuttered Regency movie theater in the city’s historic center.
The city’s planning commission approved on June 25 a conditional use permit for the Los Rios Theater project.
Speaking during the public comments portion of the meeting Trevor Baird, owner of the restaurant Trevor’s at the Tracks, said he’s excited to have a new venue in the city. While commissioners worried about the line of people waiting to get into the theater, Baird said those people represent more business for him and other merchants.
“I know there there has been concern about the people waiting in line. That is called business, and we want more of it,” Baird said. “I’m personally super eager to see this happen … Bringing these national acts and international acts to San Juan will further put (the city) on the map in a great way.”
The conditional use permit indicates that all entertainment must be inside the building, with no outdoor speakers, and doors and windows closed during performances.
Andy Morales, whose family owns the Franciscan Plaza, said multiple options were considered for the theater space, which had been losing money over the years. Morales said other considerations included relocating the Coach House Concert Hall or the Camino Real Playhouse or even installing pickleball courts.
But the bigger factor for downtown San Juan Capistrano merchants, Morales said, is the newly opened River Street Marketplace. The open-air retail center is taking “about 30 to 40% of our revenue. Every single of our tenants are hurting because of that,” he said.
The Casablanca-themed Regency movie theater closed in late July.
The operators posted a message on social media in the theater’s final days.
“It is with heavy heart, we announce the closure of Regency San Juan Capistrano & Rick’s Cafe at the end of this month… The theater was a dream we were able to achieve in San Juan Capistrano & hope it brought as much joy & memories to you as it did for us. Serving this fantastic community for the past 15 years has been a pleasure.”
SoCo adds 2 more merchants
The furniture and design hub South Coast Collection in Costa Mesa recently added two merchants, one for the home and the other for your belly.
Ferguson Homes, which specializes in residential lighting, plumbing and appliances, opened a 20,000-square-foot showroom at SoCo. The showroom offers kitchen and bath fixtures from brands such as Fantini, Kallista and Gessi. High-end appliances include Sub-Zero, Wolf, Cove, Miele and Gaggenau.
“With this location, we have created a larger, more immersive space where customers can explore our full range of bath, kitchen, and lighting products, receive tailored consultations and enjoy improved accessibility and added convenience throughout their visit,” Jesse Long, Ferguson Home showroom manager in Costa Mesa, said in a statement.
Palms n’ Patties, a burger concept that uses organic, grass-fed beef, is also open at SoCo. The budding chain opened its first location earlier this year in Santa Monica with another planned for 3rd Street in Los Angeles.
The restaurant specializes in smashburgers and cooks hand-cut fries in beef tallow, according to its co-founders Pedro Goes and Browston Xai Xai.
In June, the furniture maker Joybird, a subsidiary of La-Z-Boy, opened at the retail center.
SoCo address: 3303-3323 Hyland Ave.
Bath & Body opens at Anaheim Plaza
Bath & Body Works opened Friday, Aug. 8 in Anaheim.
The 2,997-square-foot store at Anaheim Plaza features all the smells and body accessories typical at Bath & Body Works.
Shoppers who visit the sprawling shopping center just off the 5 freeway at Euclid Street also can check out Walmart, Ulta and Old Navy.
Address: 440 N. Euclid St.
Thrift event this weekend
Thrift stores in Southern California are going all-in with discounts this weekend, touting a variety of deals for National Thrifting Day on Aug. 16-17.
The Salvation Army and Goodwill, each with numerous locations throughout the region, are participating.
Goodwill Orange County: The organization is hosting a “swag pop-up” at its new store at 17120 Magnolia St. in Fountain Valley. The store will feature T-shirts and totes designed “with local love and thrift pride.” Goodwill also will also feature 15% discounts on toys Saturday and Sunday. Savvy shoppers will be on the lookout for hidden gift cards. Its store will hide one gift card each of varying amounts. Loyalty members will get extra discounts, too. Find Goodwill locations here.
Salvation Army: The organization is going all-in with back-to-school shoppers, offering all their clothing at 50% off Friday through Sunday. The fine print on its sales promotion says purple tags will be excluded. The sale also does not apply to its outlet or online stores. Find locations here.
Be sure to check ahead with smaller, local thrift store operators to see if they’re participating in the National Thrift Day.
Milestones
Nurses at the emergency department at UCI Health – Orange, formerly UCI Medical Center, were honored with the 2025 Emergency Nurses Association Lantern Award. The Orange facility was one of 100 hospitals in the nation to be awarded this year, according to UCI Health. “Our nurses consistently demonstrate extraordinary leadership, clinical excellence and advocacy that truly makes a difference,” said Colette Baeza, director of UCI Health Emergency & Trauma Services.
On the move
David Warner has been promoted at HNTB Corp. to office leader for the firm’s Orange County/Inland Empire office. The Kansas City, Missouri-based HNTB develops transportation infrastructure in multiple fields. Warner will manage a team working on projects in highway, toll, transit, aviation, municipal and intelligent mobility sectors. He joined the company in 2023 as West Region sales officer.
Status Update is compiled and written 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.