A pay-to-play space for children is open at the Brea Mall.
Check N’ Play, which opened Jan. 28, was created by Steffanie Balsells Najera to be a safe, “screen-free play cafe” for children under the age of 6. It’s located on the mall’s upper level across from Zara Man.
The 6,000-square-foot play cafe is “best suited for confident walkers,” according to Balsells Najera. Attendants are situated at all play zones, so parents of fully potty-trained children can sit at the on-site cafe where coffee and tea are offered for sale.
Those zones include a pretend-play village, dress-up and stage area, multilevel play structure, an interactive wall, and arts and crafts. Space also can be reserved for parties.
Check N’ Play charges $30 for a child and adult for a two-hour “facilitated” session. Siblings cost an additional $24 for the session, and additional adults in the party cost $10 each. Membership plans are available.
For more information, go to checknplay.com
Warby Parker opens in Laguna Niguel
Warby Parker opens Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Aliso Village shopping center in Laguna Niguel.
It’s the 35th location for the eyewear company, which touts a wide selection of frames for those of us who are visually challenged. Warby Parker got its start online, when direct-to-consumer retailers were avoiding brick-and-mortar leases. Today, that model has flipped back to in-store experiences. The company now touts some 250 retail locations.
The Laguna Niguel store features a lineup of regular optical and sunglass options, frames for kids ages 4-8, third-party contact lenses and accessories. Customers can have eye exams in the store as well.
Warby Parker customers can use their vision insurance to pay for frames, lenses and eye exams. The company has an online insurance checker to verify accepted insurance programs. You can also use Flex and Health Spending Accounts at the cash register.
Address: 23882 Aliso Creek Road
Cosmetic dentist opens in Corona del Mar
Tyler Hales, the “bowtie dentist” known for working the pearly whites of TV personalities Vicki Gunvalson, Faye Resnick and Slade Smiley, has opened a practice in Corona Del Mar.
The dental boutique, which he touts as much more than just a dentist’s office, sits above the Sugarfish sushi restaurant, not far from Fashion Island.
“This office is the realization of a vision I’ve carried for years …” Hales said in a statement. “We built this office to match the level of craftsmanship we put into every smile — refined, intentional and beautifully elevated. It’s a home for the world-class aesthetic dentistry experience our patients expect.”
Patients can take Hales’ “Smile Test Drive,” which let’s them preview their new smile before any procedures begin.
Next door is Harmony Smile Design, a dental lab by ceramist Daniel Yang, the creator of Harmony Veneers, a customized dental “shell” system.
Address: 2600 East Coast Highway, Suite 260
On the move
Attorneys Nolan McCready and Miko Sargizian were promoted to shareholder at Littler, an employment and labor law practice with offices in Irvine. McCready defends employers in state and federal courts, private arbitration and administrative hearings. Sargizian also represents employers in labor and employment matters.
Good works
Miracles for Kids last week donated a Tesla and a year of charging to an Orange family dealing with the hardships of childhood leukemia and the all-consuming battle to conquer it. The Pineda family lived for two years at the nonprofit’s Miracle Manor while daughter Marie went through her cancer treatments. Her father, Patricio, the family’s sole provider, was forced to leave his job to care for Marie and his other two children. With help from Miracles for Kids, Patricio enrolled in a plumbing program through the nonprofit’s employment partner, Merge. He’s now employed, and the family has moved out of Miracle Manor and into its own apartment. Marie has completed her treatments and is in remission.
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union says it donated more than $3.3 million in 2025 — through corporate donations and fundraising – to support Children’s Miracle Network. The bulk of that donation went to CHOC in Orange, now called Rady Children’s Health’s, for its nine-story ambulatory building. The lobby of that building was named after SchoolsFirst FCU. The credit union also sponsored the hospital’s annual CHOC Walk in the Park and the 2025 CHOC Gala. The Miracle network also supports Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Rady Children’s Health San Diego and UC Davis Children’s Hospital. “At SchoolsFirst FCU, supporting children’s hospitals isn’t just a tradition — it’s part of who we are,” Bill Cheney, chief executive officer at the credit union, said in a statement.
Milestones
Shellee Howard, founder and chief executive of College Ready in San Juan Capistrano, is the recipient of the Global Educational Consultant of the Year award, part of the FLUXX Awards that honor innovators shaping education. Howard’s company guides high school students through the college application process. She was recognized for having an impact on college admissions. She will be presented with that award at the FLUXX Leadership Conference in April in the Philippines.
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.