Richland Aesthetics opened its flagship med spa in Newport Beach.
The location at 21165 Newport Coast Drive offers all the modern technology of skincare with “a concierge-level patient experience,” according to the company.
“Opening our fourth location and flagship in Newport Coast is incredibly meaningful to me,” said owner Brandon Richland, a board certified plastic surgeon. “This community represents elegance, excellence, and a commitment to living beautifully. These values mirror our mission at Richland Aesthetics.”
Some of the newly expanded offerings include injectables, medical aesthetics, laser and RF technologies, body contouring, office-based procedures (non–surgery center treatments), surgical consultations and pre- and post-operative appointments.
Richland also has locations in Fountain Valley, Woodland Hills and Las Vegas.
For more information, go to richlandmd.com.
Catch up on what’s new
The news cycle is a bit slow during the holidays, so let’s take a moment to review some of the bigger retail news we saw in Orange County in recent months.
Mitsuwa grocery store in Cypress
The Japanese grocer Mitsuwa Marketplace opened in November in Cypress, taking over a shuttered Office Depot. The Torrance-based supermarket, known for its abundance of Asian produce, pantry goods and fresh fish and meat, moved into the retail center at 4955 Katella Ave. It was the third of its kind for Orange County.
Savers opens in Orange
South County mall updates
The Shops at Mission Viejo, which has an expansion project ongoing, welcomed several new shops and eateries in October. They include the Japanese fashion brand Uniqlo, Sbarro, Iron King Mongolian BBQ, Jamba Juice and Mr. Inkwells Piercing Studio. A new wing coming to the mall’s southeast side will bring North Italia and Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar to an “open-air village.”
New to the Outlets at San Clemente just before the holiday shopping season were Gap Factory and Banana Republic Factory, European Exotic Cars, Vuori, based in San Diego, and Fabletics of El Segundo. Also new to the retail space is a Providence Urgent Care.
Barnes & Noble opens in Brea and Orange
Barnes & Noble opened Nov. 5 at the Brea Plaza shopping center, taking the place of a former Carter’s baby clothing store at 439 S. Associated Road. The plaza is also home to Mother’s Market & Kitchen, Total Wine, Chick-fil-A and Chipotle. The bookseller also opened its newest store in Orange, switching from its previous location off Main Street across the street from MainPlace Mall to the former Van’s Skate Park at the Outlets at Orange. B&N also opened at the District at Tustin Legacy shopping center.
Outlets at Orange
Speaking of the mall formerly (and fondly) called “The Block,” the open-air center off the 22 freeway added a host of new merchants in recent weeks. They include Moida, the Korean-beauty brand, Tenshoppe, an LA-based women’s fashion brand, Noi Noa, a jewelry charm bar, Chocolate Bash, offering crepes, waffles and chocolate-dipped treats, the shoe maker Skechers and a remodeled Vans.
Goodwill opens in Foothill Ranch
Goodwill of Orange County opened its 25th retail store and donation center in late November in Foothill Ranch. The 20,000-square-foot space at Foothill Ranch Towne Centre takes the place of a shuttered 99 Cents Only Store. In the longterm future, the shopping center is also getting a new Costco, which will replace the shuttered movie theater complex.
Trader Joe’s opens 2nd store in Costa Mesa
The quirky Southern California grocer opened the doors of its second grocery store in Costa Mesa on Dec. 11. Store 290 at 2170 Harbor Blvd. claimed part of a shuttered 99 Cents Only Store.
Westminster Mall closes, ending an era for community
When the JCPenney closed, local residents knew the final curtain call was coming for the beleaguered Westminster Mall. By late October, the mall was shuttered with longtime employees hosting a goodbye party in the mostly vacant space. Staff photographer Jeff Gritchen told the story best. The mall’s closure was a personal loss for him and many others who made lifelong memories sauntering the retail space. “In the end, Westminster Mall became an empty shell of itself. Lawlessness echoed the deserted wings of the shopping center – that is, if you consider mall cops as “the law,” Gritchen wrote.
H Mart opens its largest California store in Westminster
H Mart went big in 2025, opening a 70,000-square-foot supermarket and food hall Aug. 7 in Westminster. The Korean grocery store took the place of a shuttered Vons Pavilions at the Pavilions Place shopping center on Beach Boulevard. The sprawling H Mart, its biggest in California, features 11 restaurants in a food hall, similar in size and concept to Mercado González in Costa Mesa.
Tokyo Central opens supermarket, sushi restaurant in Irvine
Tokyo Central opened its long-awaited Irvine supermarket in late July at the bustling Heritage Plaza shopping center at 14120 Culver Drive. The 18,000-square-foot Tokyo Central is the third location in Orange County for the chain owned by Marukai Corp. Its parent company, Pan Pacific International Holdings, also owns the popular Don Quijote brand (nickname Donki) in Japan and Gelson’s Market, which it acquired in 2021.
On the move
Keegan M. Bell is the new executive director of philanthropy at The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast. He will work on the club’s fundraising strategy, donor engagement and philanthropic partnerships. Most recently, bell was executive vice president of the Irvine Public Schools Foundation, and before that, he led development and fundraising efforts at The Wooden Floor and MemorialCare.
Zain Kazmi has risen to the role of associate at the law firm McGlinchey in Irvine. He first worked for the firm as a paralegal before becoming a licensed attorney. Zain represents clients in civil and commercial litigation and has worked on both sides of personal injury cases, including matters involving catastrophic injury, traumatic brain injury and wrongful death.
On board
Jim Boyle and Trish Scarborough recently joined the board at Families Forward. Boyle is vice president of the Management Services Organization at Hoag Clinic. He oversees operations in population health, care management, pharmacy services, claims and member engagement. Scarborough, a retired educator and community philanthropist, returned to the board after a hiatus and is notably still the organization’s longest-serving board member. The nonprofit Families Forward is focused on helping local families who are facing a housing crisis.
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.