Trader Joe’s is adding a second grocery store in Costa Mesa, but the Monrovia-based grocery chain, so far, isn’t saying where.
Residents think they have it figured out — with some help from Trader Joe’s store employees.
The quirky grocer known for its store-brand food and Hawaiian-themed merchandise is likely moving into an empty 99 Cents Only Store at 2180 Harbor Blvd.
We reached out to Trader Joe’s to confirm, to which representative Nakia Rohde said, “We do plan to open a new store in Costa Mesa. However, we do not have a location or timeline to confirm at this time.”
A marketing brochure by Western Retail Advisors indicates that more than half of the vacant 99 Cents Only Store (Suite 50 with 18,090 square feet) has been leased by a “national specialty grocer.” The other 14,624 square feet of the existing building (Suite 100) remains unclaimed.
The brochure also points out the grocery competitors in the area, which include too many to list but here are a few: Smart & Final, Grocery Outlet, Mother’s Market, Stater Bros., Northgate Market and several Ralphs.
The new store, if and when it’s confirmed, would be about 2 miles north of the city’s only Trader Joe’s at 640 W. 17th St.
Costa Mesa chatter in a recent Facebook post about the chain’s expansion was mixed.
“That parking lot is a dumpster fire! I guess it will fit in perfectly,” wrote Shannon Smith.
While a lot of residents in the post cheered Trader Joe’s, others wanted its rival, Aldi, to move in. Others suggested Aldi move into the nearby At Home store at 2200 Harbor Blvd., which is closing by September:
“I think Aldi or Walmart would be better at the “At Home” building,” wrote Aurora Moreno. “Those are big stores.”
Stay tuned, Costa Mesa residents, and let us know when construction begins at the site.
To the north in Orange, Trader Joe’s is expanding its lone store in that city into a shuttered CVS next door. The drugstore at 2138 N. Tustin St. closed a year ago, part of its consolidation amid a restructuring plan.
Dumpling restaurant expanding to Newport Beach
Mimi Garden, a Chinese dumpling restaurant, is opening this month in Newport Beach.
The restaurant, with locations in Rancho Santa Margarita and Lake Forest, is taking the place of Gina’s Pizza at 3142 W. Balboa Blvd.
The menu features a wide variety of Chinese food, ranging from appetizers like hot and sour soup to steamed dumplings, noodles and wontons, pan fried options and more.
For more go to, themimigarden.com
Engineering program coming to GWC
Golden West College in Huntington Beach is launching later this year an Associate of Science in Engineering program.
The college said it created the program after seeing rising demand for engineering education. The option also will make the school more attractive to students looking to transfer engineering skills to four-year universities, including Cal Poly Pomona, UC Irvine and others.
“This program has been years in the making,” said Dr. Jennifer Kalfsbeek-Goetz, vice president of instruction at Golden West College. “We already offered all the necessary coursework, including math, physics, and engineering. The next step was to structure those offerings into a formal degree program that positions our students for seamless transfer and long-term success in the field.”
All math and engineering courses in the program are designated as “zero textbook cost” and will use open educational resources, according to GWC. This should help remove significant financial barrier for students.
The college noted Friday that because the program is so new, there is no website for it yet. Instead, students can search for engineering classes at goldenwestcollege.edu.
On the move
Jessica Berger as its new executive vice president and chief advancement officer at Chapman University. The university said Berger, with nearly two decades of experience in university fundraising, most recently was vice president for university advancement at Cal State San Marcos where she led a $200 million campaign. At Chapman, she’ll help advance the university’s $500 million Inspire campaign and expanding philanthropic support and community partnerships.
On board
Madelynn Hirneise, chief executive of Families Forward in Irvine, was recently appointed to the First 5 Orange County’s board of directors. At Families Forward, she and the nonprofit support health and developmental screenings, referrals to early intervention services, and access to affordable childcare and other critical resources for families with children from birth to age 5.
Good works
Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County celebrated on June 13 a grand reopening ceremony for its Founders Farm, which has a new home at Southwinds Farm & Gardens in Irvine. Previously, the farm was split into two locations at Second Harvest’s distribution center and UC South Coast Research & Extension Center, both also in Irvine. The nonprofit notes that Southwinds Farm & Gardens is underwriting the water and rent costs. Bank of America was a key sponsor in the move.
More than 1,400 guests at the 37th annual Hoag Summer Fest at Newport Dunes on June 19 helped raise $528,000 to support Boldly Hoag, the hospital’s foundation campaign to expand the Sun Family Campus in Irvine. The expansion will offer specialty services in cancer, digestive, surgical and women’s health.
Correction
Nick the Greek opened Tuesday, July 15 in the Home Depot-anchored Plaza de la Paz shopping center at 27221 La Paz Road, Suite E. Last week’s Status Update incorrectly cited the nearby Costco shopping center, which one reader noted is “a walk almost no one will ever make.”
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.