Seven tenants claim spots at South Coast

Paul Clinton

A handful of clothiers, a jeweler and a Claim Jumper restaurant have

signed leases and will roll out the welcome mats at South Coast Plaza

beginning in May.

“Part of what makes South Coast Plaza so appealing as a retail

destination is that it’s always evolving,” said Debra Gunn Downing,

the center’s spokeswoman. “Our customers are very sophisticated, so

they expect the latest [goods].”

The center is set to add seven new retailers to the mix of

tenants. Two other retailers, cosmetics seller Stila and fashion

footwear specialist Aldo, already opened stores this month.

For Claim Jumper, perhaps the best known among the new retailers,

the new restaurant will be the company’s 20th in Southern California

and 31st overall. The Claim Jumper will replace Birraporetti’s, an

Italian eatery that closed in August citing rising rents.

Claim Jumper officials are sinking about $4 million into the

building, which is at the northeast entrance of the center next the

Sears. It’s expected to open in July.

“It’s a great location,” said Bill Hustedt, the company’s chief

financial officer. “We are counting on that being our highest

grossing location.”

In addition to the new restaurant, officials from the shopping

center, which is owned by C.J. Segerstrom and Sons, have signed deals

with six other stores.

In May, Mimi Maternity and Kiehl’s since 1851 are expected to go

in. The former sells high-quality maternity apparel and accessories.

Kiehl’s, which started as an old world apothecary in New York’s East

Village, sells cosmetic, pharmaceutical and herbal products.

Both stores will go in on the center’s second level, with Mimi set

for a space above the Rainforest Cafe.

Paul Frank, which sells clothing, sleepwear and swimwear for men

and women, is expected to open on the west side of the center, near

Crate and Barrel Home Store, in August.

Temple St. Clair, a high-end jeweler, is also set to open sometime

during summer.

Two more stores are set for fall. Woman’s apparel retailer Eileen

Fisher has signed to open at the center in a location Gunn Downing

declined to reveal because the current tenant is still occupying the

space.

The center will also be welcoming Roberto Cavalli, a chic clothier

for men and women. The store will replace Prada, which declined to

renew its lease, Gunn Downing said.

Gunn Downing declined to release information about the lease

rates.