Barnes & Noble opened Wednesday, Nov. 5 at the Brea Plaza shopping center.
The bookstore took 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 noted in online social media posts that its Brea location does not have a cafe inside but a Starbucks is next door.
Barnes & Noble has seen a retail resurgence in the county, opening a store at the District at Tustin Legacy shopping center and soon another at the Outlets at Orange.
The Instagram page for the Orange store shows bookshelves being filled in the new space. The store celebrates its grand opening at 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 28.
The Outlets at Orange store is a relocation from the Barnes & Noble previously on Main Street across from MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana. That store had a fire two years ago, leaving the building empty. The store off 20 City Boulevard is taking the place of the former Vans Skatepark at the shopping center owned by Simon.
Also coming soon to Brea: 85 Degrees Bakery Cafe.
The Taiwanese confection shop is known for its coffee (served at what it calls the ideal temperature of 85 degrees) and tea drinks plus a wide array of pastries and Asian specialty desserts.
The address for 85C cafe at Brea Union Plaza is 2515 E Imperial Highway.
Laguna’s Shoe Cellar shop relocates
The Shoe Cellar in Laguna Beach relocated to the city’s historic Babb Building, opening Nov. 1 in the HIP District.
The shoe shop has been a part of the city’s retail scene for some 75 years. It’s been selling all kinds of footwear from its former store at Forest Avenue since 1994.
The new store at 903 S. Coast Highway is part of the mixed-use Babb — built around 1936 — which sits at the gateway to Thalia Beach.
“Over the years, we’ve built relationships with locals and visitors from around the world who continue to return to our family-run shop. It is also an honor to keep my dad’s spirit alive, a cherished part of the town’s memory, now woven into the history of this new location,” said Shar Browne, owner of The Shoe Cellar.
$3 million for Irvine college STEM program
The Samueli Foundation is giving Irvine Valley College $3 million to help community college students pursue degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
The STEM mission has the foundation giving $12 million across the region to help advance more students from community colleges to four-year universities.
IVC will use its $3 million grant to create a Natural Science Center, pay summer research stipends, and expand supplemental instruction — advising and peer mentoring for its STEM students.
The IVC Foundation also will award $150,000 in STEM-related scholarships to students over the next three years. The college is launching a STEM Matching Gift Campaign, leveraging $121,500 “to inspire additional community giving.”
“With this investment, IVC will continue to grow a dynamic STEM learning community that empowers students to transfer, thrive, and lead in the scientific and technological fields of tomorrow,” said IVC President John Hernandez in a statement.
For more information, contact the IVC Foundation at ivcfoundation@ivc.edu or call 949-451-5290.
Edison Scholars program opens for HS seniors
More STEM news from the 2026 Edison Scholars program, which has launched its application portal for high school seniors who want to pursue careers in related fields.
The program awards $50,000 in scholarships to 30 high school seniors who plan to major in a STEM field. Seniors must live in Southern California Edison’s service area.
Edison Scholars also can apply for a paid summer internship with Southern California Edison after completing their first year of school.
The 2026 scholarships will be awarded in the 140th year of SCE’s service to its communities.
The deadline to apply is Jan. 22. For details, go to edisonscholars.com. Scholarship recipients will be announced next spring.
On the move
Michael Pfau is the new senior vice president of Digital Experience at SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union in Tustin. Most recently, he was chief digital officer at Axos Financial. At the credit union, he will focus on digital platforms and how they help the institution’s members.
Tiffany Baydu is the new director of sales at Visit Dana Point, the marketing organization for the city. She will focus on the organization’s sales strategy, expanding relationships with meeting planners, travel professionals and local partners. She most recently was at Visit Newport Beach where she served as its national account director.
Fundraiser updates
Jamboree Housing Corp’s celebrated its 35th anniversary with a gala held Oct. 18 at AV Irvine. The event raised more than $700,000 to support of Jamboree’s Community Impact programs, which provide workforce development, after-school education, health and wellness services and other resources to 24,000 residents across California. “Thirty-five years ago, Jamboree started with a simple vision that every person deserves a safe, affordable place to call home,” said Laura Archuleta, CEO of Jamboree. “Tonight was a celebration of the people and partnerships that have turned that vision into a statewide movement.” For more information, go to jamboreehousing.com
The Orange County United Way Alexis de Tocqueville Society’s annual gala held Nov. 1 at The Pendry Newport Beach raised more than $900,000 to support the nonprofit’s programs and services. The money will be used to help local students and families. “This gala was one of our most successful events yet,” said Susan B. Parks, CEO of Orange County United Way. For more information, go to unitedwayoc.org.
Radiant Futures’ annual Dueling Pianos fundraiser held Oct. 30 raised more than $19,200 to support of the women’s transitional living center. “We were delighted to host a magical, musical night filled with hope, joy, and transformation as we strive to make sure hope, safety, and dignity endure for everyone in Orange County,” said Mark Lee, CEO of the organization. For more information, go to radiantfutures.org.
