Readers alerted us to a couple recent closures in the fast-casual food category.
First, at Westminster Mall, Cinnabon closed Sunday, Oct. 19.
The aging mall has undergone some tough times, with key anchors abandoning the space. Despite a plan to revitalize the mall with a hotel, new retail and hundreds of new apartments, the mall has failed to attract substantial retailers. The dated, interior nature of the mall hasn’t helped in a Southern California shopping climate that demands outdoor spaces and modern brands.
In August, the Register reported that JC Penney was closing at the mall.
In Costa Mesa, Dave’s Hot Chicken closed at 3030 Harbor Blvd.
The restaurant known for its Nashville-style hot chicken, opened in Costa Mesa in January 2022.
The Pasadena-based concept got its early start in 2017 as a parking lot pop-up in Los Angeles. The company was sold in April to the private equity firm Roark Capital for $1 billion.
Facial spa coming to Newport Beach
Face Foundrié, a luxury skincare company, is coming to Westcliff Plaza in Newport Beach.
The franchise owner is Maral Johnson, a beauty and wellness enthusiast.
The Minneapolis-based concept founded by Michele Henry includes a facial bar designed for a range of women “looking to fit in a glow-up between meetings or school drop-offs.”
The Newport Beach location is the company’s first in Southern California and third in the state (Emeryville and San Francisco). Locations are also “coming soon” to La Jolla, Brentwood, Corte Madera and Santa Rosa.
The company said local appointments would be available in January.
Address: 1036 Irvine Ave.
Cars & Cocktails is Nov. 13
The nonprofit KidWorks is hosting its second annual Cars & Cocktails fundraiser Saturday, Nov. 13 in Irvine.
The event, which takes place from 4-7 p.m., will feature a collection of rare and classic cars. Cocktails, food, desserts, a live band, and a program are part of the evening.
Money raised will go toward hundreds of KidWorks students in their pursuit of college and a career.
This year’s Dan Donahue Leadership Award is going to ECM Management, a land development and construction company, and its founder Emily Mandrup, who is also KidWorks’ board chairwoman.
Cars & Cocktails is the organization’s “reimagined” Foundation for Success luncheon. For more information, go to kidworksoc.org/cars
Event address: 17475 Gillette Ave. Suite 100, Irvine
Library book sale is Oct. 28
The Orange Coast College Friends of the Library is hosting its annual fall book sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 in Costa Mesa.
The sale will include a wide variety of used books. Think bestsellers to romance, mysteries, science, art, history and computers.
Most books start at $1. The event also will feature a “$2-a-bag” deal during the last two hours of the sale from 1 until 3 p.m. on Wednesday Oct. 29.
FOTL members and OCC students get to shop early at a pre-sale from 9 to 10 a.m. on that Tuesday.
The book sale is being held in the Library Lecture Room (Room 112), near the front entrance.
The event is free to the general public but parking is not. Attendees should park in Lot E and buy a parking permit online for $5 through Passport Parking.
Got to FoTL for more information at orangecoastcollege.edu/academics/library/friends-of-the-library.html.
Address: 2701 Fairview Road
On the move
Kathryn Pulford is the new director of Business Development, a newly created position at Windes, an accounting firm in Irvine. She will focus on expanding service lines, new opportunities and supporting the firm’s strategic goals. Previously she worked as a partner and account manager at Human Interest and before that was at McDermott + Bull.
Big business stories last week
Melody Health shutters: Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties laid off 81 people as it closed its primary care practice. The organization, which made the announcement on Monday, Oct. 13, said it the cuts came “as a direct result of the Trump administration unjustly defunding Planned Parenthood.” Krista Hollinger, chief executive officer of the local organization called the closure “devastating,” and said it would affect 13,000 enrolled patients at seven clinics in both counties. The clinics provide primary care services such as annual wellness checks, cold and flu treatment, vaccines, diabetes management, vaccinations and behavioral health services. (Staff writer Pat Maio)
Jack in the Box sells Del Taco at huge loss: The San Diego-based restaurant giant said Thursday that it sold its entire Del Taco stake to Yadav Enterprises for $115 million in cash. Yadav Enterprises in Fremont operates some 310 franchise restaurants, including Jack in the Box, Denny’s and TGI Friday’s, Taco Cabana and Nick the Greek restaurants. Jack in the Box bought Del Taco three years ago for $575 million. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Low-price insulin coming to California: Californians with diabetes will be able to purchase state-branded insulin at steeply reduced prices next year. Long-acting insulin pens will be available at pharmacies for $11 per pen — or $55 for a five-pack — beginning Jan. 1. The discounted medication is coming from legislation signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. “California didn’t wait for the pharmaceutical industry to do the right thing — we took matters into our own hands,” Newsom said Thursday. “No Californian should ever have to ration insulin or go into debt to stay alive.” (CalMatters)
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.
