Simon, the property owner of the Shops at Mission Viejo, broke ground Sept. 18 on its expansion project for the 49-year-old mall.
The construction work, which will add new retail space on the mall’s southeast side, comes as it continues to add new merchants. Here’s a look at the most recent additions:
Sbarro: Perhaps king of the food court and dating to 1970, this longstanding staple sells a variety of Italian dishes like pasta and pizza.
Iron King Mongolian BBQ: It’s like an Asian Chipotle, serving customizable bowls of noodles topped with protein, veggies and sauces.
Jamba Juice: The popular juice and smoothie maker is on the mall’s upper level between Islands and P.F. Changs.
Mr. Inkwells Piercing Studio: tattoos and piercings on various body parts using single-use needles and “body-safe” jewelry, implant-grade titanium and 14k gold. It’s also on the upper level, near Caitlyn Minimalist and Express.
Uniqlo: The Japanese-retailer that got its start in 1949 as a textile maker offers modern and minimalistic fashion and accessories.
Also see: Brea Mall opens new entrance, shops as expansion continues
The new wing will bring North Italia and Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar to an “open-air village.”
“As part of the expansion, Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn will also reopen in early 2026 with refreshed, modern store designs in newly relocated spaces on Level 1 near Nordstrom,” Simon said.
New shops at San Clemente outlet mall
Just in time for holiday shopping and strolling, the Outlets at San Clemente have a new batch of retailers either open on inbound.
Here’s a look at what’s new at the sprawling mall with ocean views:
—Gap Factory and Banana Republic Factory, both owned by parent company Gap Inc.
—Providence Urgent Care with Providence Mission Heritage Medical Group
—European Exotic Cars
Coming in November are the active apparel brands Vuori, based in San Diego, and Fabletics of El Segundo.
“Vuori,” in case you wondered, means “mountain” in Finnish and was chosen by the retailer’s founder, Joe Kudla, who is a mountain climber.
Pet ER with more options for owners opens in Costa Mesa
A 24-hour pet emergency hospital opened in late September in Costa Mesa.
VEG ER for Pets offers emergency care including surgeries, ultrasounds, X-rays and more for pets of all kinds including exotic animals like snakes, reptiles and birds.
It’s the fourth VEG hospital in California and the second in Orange County, following an ER debut in Anaheim Hills. The Costa Mesa pet hospital takes the place of a former rehabiliation center at 2800 Harbor Blvd.
VEG, which stands for Veterinary Emergency Group, says it skips the typical ER visit with clients sitting in the waiting room with their sick pets.
“When a pet parent calls VEG, they speak immediately with a licensed veterinarian to get their medical questions answered,” the company said. “VEG customers don’t need to wait and worry in a lobby. Instead, triage begins as soon as they walk in the door, even before filling out paperwork.”
The company says that pet owners can stay with their pet through all stages of treatment, including surgery and overnight hospitalization.
The Costa Mesa pet ER is open seven days a week.
For more information, go to veg.com.
Georgia automotive group buys Surf City dealership
Sutherlin Automotive Group recently acquired the 7-acre McKenna Subaru auto dealership in Huntington Beach.
Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
The deal is the first for the Buford, Georgia-based company owned by Brett Sutherlin, who owns four dealerships.
Sutherlin, according to a news release, plans to double the Huntington Beach service and parts department and bring mobile service and pickup and delivery options to customers.
The new owner also plans to stock more than 300 new Subarus and at least 250 used vehicles on site. All staff was maintained in the sale, according to SAG.
“This is more than an acquisition — it’s a statement of intent,” said Sutherlin. “Southern California is the most powerful car market in the country — and Huntington Beach offers both the scale and the potential to redefine what a Subaru dealership can be. We didn’t come here to participate. We came here to lead — and we will make this the #1 Subaru dealership in America.”
Eric Brower, who managed Sutherlin Subaru in Knoxville, Tenn., will run operations in Huntington Beach.
Walk for Independence is Oct. 11
Project Independence in Costa Mesa is hosting its 15th annual Walk for Independence & Health Fair on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025 atTeWinkle Park.
The walk celebrates those who champion the rights of people with developmental disabilities. Participants can walk, jog or roll at the event. Well-behaved pets are welcome to join participants.
Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. with a warmup at 8 a.m. and the walk beginning at 8:30. A walk T-shirt, lunch and water will be provided to those who register.
To register, go to https://go.rallyup.com/c/a42f0f/Center
Address: 970 Arlington Drive, Costa Mesa
On the move
Holly Hadden is the new chief philanthropy officer at the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center in San Juan Capistrano. She has 20 years of experience in fundraising, most recently working with Stanford University Development.
Cesar Rivas-Sandoval is the new athletics director at Westcliff University in Irvine. He has 20 years of experience in collegiate coaching and leadership. At Westcliff he will be tasked with growing its Warriors athletics program.
Good works
CureDuchenne raised more than $550,000 at the 14th annual CureDuchenne Golf Shootout held Sept. 12-13 at Monarch BeachGolf Links in Dana Point. The fundraiser was hosted by Anaheim Ducks All-Star right wing Troy Terry and his wife, Dani. The annual event has raised more than $6.8 million to fund research and potential treatments for people living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. For more information, go to cureduchenne.org.
Vanguard University’s Global Center for Women and Justice raised more than $327,000 at its 12th annual “Amplify” luncheon held Saturday, Sept. 13 at VEA Newport Beach. The money will support education and prevention initiatives to end human trafficking in Orange County and beyond. At the event, Adele Oddo was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to VU and the GCWJ since the center was founded in 2003.
Milestones
The UCI Health – Orange trauma center and Regional Burn Center teams were honored recently at the Orange County Business Council First Responders Dinner for their care and treatment of those injured after a small plane crashed Jan. 2 into a warehouse in Fullerton. The crash killed two people and injured 19. The event on Sept. 18 celebrated the first responders and frontline heroes. Those honored included Syed Saquib, a trauma surgeon and medical director of the UCI Health Regional Burn Center, and doctors James Jeng, Lourdes Swentek, Monique Gandawidjaja, Rommell Noche, physician assistants Seda Gevorgyan, Kurt Richards and Kimberly Burton.
Status Update is compiled and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to [email protected]. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.
