Today, the Irvine Company released the names of 14 of 30 new retail and food shops coming to the Irvine Spectrum Center, one of the county’s busiest malls.
With the exception of Sephora, this first wave of restaurants and stores are expected to open by summer. A grand opening celebration of the center is planned Aug. 18, 2018.
Related: A closer look at the $200 million Irvine Spectrum Center expansion
85°C Bakery Café
Irvine is no stranger to Taiwanese sensation 85°C Bakery Cafe. The city was the first one in Orange County to welcome the international bakery, known for its sea salt iced coffee and inexpensive breads and pastries.
The first one opened 10 years ago at the Asian-themed retail center Diamond Jamboree. It has since grown to more than 20 cafes across Southern California.
Hello Kitty Café
The temporary pop-up store has been open for more than a year at the Irvine Spectrum. It finds a permanent home in the new expansion. The 1,700-square-foot cafe plans to have a bar, a first for the Sanrio brick-and-mortar brand. On Thursday, the pop-up cafe said it is hitting the road, and closing its Irvine location this weekend. The Instagram post said it will close after 10 p.m. Saturday. The cafe operator could not be reached for comment.
Stance socks
San Clemente-based Stance has grown into a pop-culture phenom by selling artistic and playful socks geared for “punks and poets,” according to its website. The socks garner fans from action sports enthusiasts to corporate executives. While the socks are found in dozens of boutique retail shops and department stores, this will be Stance’s 7th branded store to open in the country and the first in Southern California.
Sephora
This beauty store, on the northeast side of the expansion near the Giant Wheel, won’t open until 2019. The international brand is one of two mega Sephora stores opening at Irvine Co. centers. The chain, which sells cosmetics, fragrances and skincare products, is also opening a new 5,400-square foot store at The Market Place later this year.
Afters Ice Cream
After Ice Cream is a local leader in the “food as fashion” movement. The flagship store opened in Fountain Valley, and became an internet sensation for its Milky Bun, a glazed doughnut tucked with a heaping scoop of ice cream.
BLKdot Coffee
Irvine-based BLKdot specializes in strong slow-dripped Vietnamese craft coffee.
The first cafe opened at the Google Center in Irvine in 2015. This year, the cafe is going into expansion mode. Co-founder Mai Tran said the expansion is fueled by the growing popularity of its niche products including “VTM” coffee,” sea salt coffee and Thai tea latte. The cafes also serve food including a chicken banh mi sandwich, croissants, bagels, muffins and scones.
Falasophy
This food-truck-turned restaurant has earned buzz for its modern take on Lebanese street food. It has a food stand at 4th Street Market.
Gorjana
Pronounced gor-yan, this local jewelry shop “features approachable, quality jewelry channeling the chic, breezy style of its Laguna Beach origins,” according to the Irvine Co. Each piece, designed by Gorjana Reidel, is plated in 18K gold.
SoHa Living
This home decor chain has locations throughout Hawaii, and specializes in home furnishings that embody a coastal lifestyle.
The Denim Lab
The jeans store is known for its “fitting lab,” where shoppers can find a flawless fit on their next pair of jeans.
Perverse Sunglasses
The Los Angeles-based store is a “starlet-approved purveyor of stylish and sexy sunnies displayed in sleek surroundings,” according to the Irvine Co.
SST&C
The Milan-based Italian menswear brand embracing “simple, stylish, and trendy for casual life,” the Irvine Company notes. The store sells suits, shirts, ties and casual wear.
Robata Wasa
This upscale sushi restaurant is from the owners of Izakaya Wasa.
Concrete Rose
The shoe boutique will occupy a 1,529-square foot space.