Tokyo Central, a popular Japanese supermarket chain operated by Marukai Corp., is opening its third Orange County store in late July.
The store features an abundance of pantry goods, produce, meat and fish (even live fish, crabs and lobster). Beyond pantry goods, the store sells made-to-order and ready-to-go food trays, health products and specialty items like candy, household appliances and kitchen tools.
An in-store sushi restaurant also will serve Japanese cuisine.
Store reps tell us the grand opening is the weekend of July 26-27.
The store, a new build at 14120 Culver Drive backing to the southbound ramp to the 5 freeway, will be just a short walk from another Japanese supermarket, Mitsuwa Marketplace.
At 17,368 square feet, the newest Tokyo Central store in Orange County will be the company’s 13th U.S. location. The chain operates 12 stores nationwide.
Sprouts coming to Santa Ana shopping center
Sprouts Farmers Market recently signed a lease at Bristol Warner Village in Santa Ana, where it will replace a shuttered 99 Cents Only store.
The 25,860-square-feet space is a key anchor at the 80,865-square-foot center at 2311 South Bristol St. at the intersection with Warner Avenue. Other merchants include IHOP, Starbucks, T-Mobile, and Waba Grill.
The discount 99 Cents Only store closed in 2024. The new Sprouts is scheduled to open in late 2026, according to the longtime property owner, NewMark Merrill Cos.
“This new location represents our sixth Sprouts grocery store in our portfolio,” said Sandy Sigal, president and chief executive at NewMark Merrill. “We are actively working on multiple other new deals with them as they continue to grow.”
Tax prep program filed 13,751 returns
Orange County United Way has results from its annual OC Free Tax Prep program, which prepared 13,751 tax returns this tax season.
The nonprofit said the program helped local residents see $14.8 million in tax returns from their federal and state tax filings.
Orange County United Way worked with 22 local organizations to provide free tax filing assistance to people earning less than $67,000 in 2024.
The program was offered at 34 locations across the county with help from 641 volunteers who spent 22,402 hours providing free tax preparation services.
“OC Free Tax Prep does more than just put money back into the hands of Orange County individuals and families – it is pivotal in helping ease financial burden, strengthening financial stability and fueling economic growth in our local community,” said Andrew Fahmy, Executive Director of Orange County United Way’s United for Financial Security initiative.
For more information about OC Free Tax Prep, go to ocfreetaxprep.com.
Pickleball tournament is July 19
Meals on Wheels Orange County is hosting its second annual Pickleball Bash Tournament from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, July 19 at The Tennis & Pickleball Club in Newport Beach.
The event raises money for the Meals on Wheels program, which brings food to older adults in local communities.
Tickets for each player are $190 or $380 for a two-person team. Spectators pay $50 each.
The deadline to register is Thursday, July 3.
For more information about the event, go to mealsonwheelsoc.org/pickleball-bash
Providence St. Joseph gives OPD $50K for defibrillators
Providence St. Joseph Hospital on June 6 donated defibrillators to the Orange Police Department.
The hospital gave $50,000 to the police department’s foundation in order to buy, install and maintain the automated external defibrillators on some 25 patrol cars (about half the department’s fleet).
The devices will give officers on the scene of emergencies the ability to help patients before emergency service providers arrive.
On the move
Matt Pham is joining Friedland Cianfrani LLP in Irvine, effective June 16. Pham was most recently an associate at Knobbe Martens, the original firm of Friedland Cianfrani’s four other attorneys. A native of Ontario, Canada, Pham also spent time at Mondelez International, working at its Cadbury chocolate factory in Toronto, where he designed, researched, and developed food packaging, including for Oreos, Chips Ahoy! and Sour Patch Kids.
Clarification
Christian Peo, vice chair of Audit at KPMG in Orange County, recently was appointed to the firm’s Management Committee. Last week’s item on Peo mischaracterized his role at the firm.
News from last week
Here are some stories with Orange County ties that published last week online and in the Register …
Costco is at it again: The warehouse retailer dropped plans in Mission Viejo to build its first standalone gas station. Columnist Jon Lansner had the details, which show the gas station will come with 40 pumps and without any retail component. This latest Costco news comes on the heels of its plans to build a new warehouse in Foothill Ranch, replacing a shuttered movie theater at Foothill Ranch Towne Center.
Lotteria coming to OC: The South Korean chain known for its bulgogi burgers is opening a location in Fullerton. The restaurant is popular for its grilled patties made of shrimp, beef and fried chicken. It also sells fries, cherry-flavored shakes and more, according to the Register’s Food reporter, Brock Keeling. Lotteria operates about 1,600 locations worldwide, with most concentrated in Asian nations.
Pastry shop consolidating: Rye Goods, one of Orange County’s best bakeries, Keeling also reported, closed its Lido location ahead of a new store opening in Costa Mesa. Pastry chef Sara Lezama started the bakery in 2016, and opened its first brick-and-mortar store at Lido Marina Village in 2020. Other locations are in Tustin and Laguna Beach. Rye Goods opened a new, larger location on Friday, June 13 at Paseo 17 (formerly known as Plaza Sereno).
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.
