Kim Kardashian’s shapewear and clothing brand Skims opened Wednesday, Nov. 12 at South Coast Plaza.
The boutique, next door to Sephora and Bloomingdale’s, is the second of its kind for the company in California, which has its flagship store on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles and an outlet in Cabazon.
The Costa Mesa store sells Skims’ most popular collections, including Fits Everybody, Skims Body, and its line of cotton line pajamas, tank tops and T-shirts. The store also has pieces from Skims Mens, including cotton brief packs, T-shirts, and loungewear.
Bloomberg reported last week that Skims was raising investor cash, pushing its valuation to $5 billion as it looks to expand its stores and add new products. The $225 million funding round was led by Goldman Sachs Alternatives and joined by other funds connected to BDT MSD Partners.
With 20 stores in the United States, the company that got its start as a direct-to-consumer brand is now looking to become a brick-and-mortar retailer.
Salad concept Sweetgreen opens this week
Sweetgreen opens Tuesday, Nov. 18 in Costa Mesa.
The salad concept is taking the place of a Veg’d restaurant at 280 Bristol St. The 2,223-square-foot eatery will feature the company’s first Infinite Kitchen “sweetlane.”
What they serve: salads, warm bowls, protein plates, and sides. The menu includes fan favorites like the Harvest Bowl, Crispy Rice Bowl, Caramelized Garlic Steak, and Miso Glazed Salmon.
The so-called “sweetlane” is for customers who prefer to order online and use the drive-through to scoop up for their ready-to-go meals.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Ulta finds itself back at Village at Orange
Ulta has reopened at the Village at Orange, this time next door to the former full-service mall .
The interior spaces within the neighborhood mall, including an Ulta store, were demolished a year ago, leaving behind only the outward-facing stores — HomeGoods, 24 Hour Fitness, Sprouts, Walmart, and an array of restaurants and a few small retail shops. The popular Red Robin restaurant also shuttered Sunday, Nov. 16, leaving one more empty retail space.
Also see: Village at Orange closes its interior mall after 50 years of memories
Also new along the mall’s edge: Trader Joe’s completed its remodel and expansion into the former CVS drugstore. The Monrovia-based grocer took advantage of the drugstore’s exit, moving the main store into the space and converting its former supermarket into storage and a staff break room.
And residents are still waiting to see what becomes of the Panda Mart store. The discounter — akin to a Big Lots meets Temu — leased space at the former Sears.
Address: 1500 E. Village Way
Diamond Wish opens in Newport Beach
The jewelry store Diamond Wish is open at Corona del Mar Plaza, next door to Gulfstream restaurant and just a short distance to Fashion Island
“Opening Diamond Wish in the heart of Newport Beach is a dream realized for our family and a testament to our commitment to providing exquisite jewelry for men and women with our white-glove personalized service,” said Ujay Zaveri, president of Diamond Wish.
Diamond Wish specializes in natural and lab-grown diamonds, rare gemstones and custom designs. The team brings more than 40 years of industry experience to the retail space
The Newport Beach store offers private consultations, personalized jewelry services and lifelong care of jewelry purchases.
Address: 844 Avocado Ave.
Bundt, See’s open in Anaheim Hills
Nothing Bundt Cakes and a seasonal See’s Candies store are open at Anaheim Hills Festival shopping center.
The cake shop is in its soft opening mode, which means a grand opening celebration is yet to come. See’s will be open through the holidays.
The shopping center has seen a host of new merchants open in the last year, including Ulta Beauty, Nordstrom Rack, Egg Tuck and Bath & Body Works.
Shea Properties has proposed adding 450 apartments to the shopping center, taking the place of the former movie theater. The developer said 10% of those units would be priced for those who earn less than $107,350. The other 90% of the apartments would rent at the market rate.
Address: 8132 East Santa Ana Canyon Road
Bass Pro pivots to winter wonderland
Free photos with Santa and other holiday family activities are available at Bass Pro Shops through Dec. 24.
In addition to the photo, shoppers can participate in hands-on holiday games, toy stations, crafts and weekday giveaways. Every Tuesday through Dec. 23 at 5 p.m., Santa or Mrs. Claus will read holiday stories to families, followed by photos. Reservations are required.
Customers also can join Santa and his helpers for a breakfast at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22. Reservations are free, required and limited to four seats per family with photos included.
Make reservations at basspro.com/santa.
Bishop Manor Spoke Center reopens
The Bishop Manor Spoke Center operated by the Santa Ana-based nonprofit KidWorks reopened Oct. 31, years after water damaged the property and the pandemic forced it to close.
The center sits within the 164-townhouse Bishop Manor community in central Santa Ana. Up to 60 students in kindergarten through 12th grade will now enroll at the reopened center.
KidWorks said Emily Mandrup, founder of the Santa Ana-based land development and construction company ECM Management, was key to getting the project through the redevelopment process. Mandrup, KidsWorks board chairwoman, also recruited local companies that donated more than $200,000 in services and materials to renovate the facility.
In addition to the renovation at the Bishop Manor Spoke Center, the community pool and its playground were vastly improved and reopened..
On the move
Heather Black-Coyne is the new executive director of New Directions for Women in Costa Mesa. She most recently was chief clinical director for the nonprofit. New Directions for Women, founded 48 years ago, provides a sanctuary for women in their addiction recovery. The organization said Black-Coyne has her own journey of addiction and long-term recovery. She has worked in addiction treatment for 15 years. For more information about NDFW, go to newdirectionsforwomen.org.
Mark Kiesel, managing director and chief investment officer for Global Credit at Pimco in Newport Beach, is retiring from the firm after 29 years. He will remain active as an investment manager, strategist and adviser, Pimco said in a statement. “I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished in nearly 30 years at Pimco, and deeply grateful for the trust my clients and colleagues have placed in me,” Kiesel said. He joined Pimco as a junior account manager in 1996.
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.