Business & Tech

Fashion Island News: Apple Store Playing Musical Chairs? Whole Foods, Kitson Moving In

A look at what lies ahead for the outdoor shopping plaza.

If you stroll around Fashion Island in Newport Beach, it won't take long to notice some changes in the works.

Let's start with the Apple Store. Around noon Sunday it was filled with at least 50 people, doing everything from dropping off items for repair at the Genius Bar to exploring new Apple products. Those people probably heard the store might be moving, as Patch learned while picking up some equipment there.

Although the current location is a decent size, if you walk around toward Nordstrom you will see a large empty building with black doors and a covered-up emblem that looks a lot like an apple.

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So, is Apple moving?

Jane Gillespie, spokeswoman for the Irvine Co., which owns Fashion Island, could not confirm or deny a possible relocation, and Apple could not be reached for comment. But if Apple does move, it looks as if customers would have more elbow room and more of an ocean breeze while they walk in and out of the store.

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Tommy Nguyen of Costa Mesa was shopping at the Apple outlet Tuesday and said he's not picky about where in Fashion Island his favorite store is.

"I live closer to South Coast Plaza, but I come down here because I like that [the mall is] outdoors," Nguyen said. "So I don't mind if Apple moves to another section of Fashion Island; I will go wherever they are."

Next up is Kitson. Famous among such celebrities as the Kardashian sisters, the boutique will open in the fall at Fashion Island, Gillespie announced Wednesday. Kitson carries men and women's clothing, shoes, accessories and gifts. The 3,600-square-foot store will be in the Neiman Marcus-Bloomingdale’s Courtyard.

Last but not least is Whole Foods Market, which is scheduled to open in summer 2012. Fashion Island will be the well-known organic and natural grocer's fifth location in Orange County and first in Newport Beach.

“Fashion Island is a prime spot for us in Orange County,” said Patrick Bradley, president of Whole Foods Market’s Southern Pacific region. “We are excited to bring Whole Foods Market’s unique organic and natural offerings to this vibrant coastal community.”

For more information about what's coming to Fashion Island, visit ShopFashionIsland.com.


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