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Restaurateur Antonio Bevacqua Opens Northern Italian-inspired Il Girasole At South Coast Collection In Costa Mesa

BALTIMORE, MD (February 5, 2025) – Il Girasole, a Northern Italian-inspired restaurant owned by Antonio Bevacqua, recently opened within South Coast Collection (SoCo), a 292,000 square foot luxury home furnishing and design lifestyle center in Costa Mesa, California. Bevacqua, who studied his craft at culinary schools in Italy and later managed restaurants throughout California, plans to hold a grand opening for the 3,000 square foot restaurant on February 6. The space is situated between Butcher’s House and Arc Food & Libations.

Bevacqua, who relocated to the United States from Italy in 2003, has deep experience in the restaurant industry, with a special emphasis on upscale establishments, including Michelin-rated concepts in Europe. His goal is to create “a true restaurant destination in Costa Mesa” using locally-sourced and imported ingredients to provide residents of Southern California with “a different and highly-unique Italian restaurant experience.”

“A large segment of the population believes that Italian food consists of lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, pizza and some pasta dishes,” Bevacqua said. “Il Girasole was designed to be the exact opposite of this thinking by offering highly-creative and chef-driven cuisine that customers will not find at other restaurants. A memorable meal is a multi-sensory experience which combines presentation, high quality, and taste along with great service in an aesthetically-pleasing environment. Every element needs to be perfect, and that is what we intend Il Girasole to consistently provide.”

Signature Il Girasole dishes will include Duck Pappardelle and Filetto cacio e pepe. The restaurant, which features indoor and al fresco dining for nearly 75 people, also has a small bites menu with highlights including Spanish octopus, grilled calamari, and sushi-grade yellowtail tuna. Il Girasole also has a wine locker program that offers memberships, as well as an extensive cocktail list that will change with the seasons and availability of ingredients.

The restaurant, whose name translates to “sunflower,” is currently operating under a “soft opening” status in preparation for its February 6 grand opening.

“When looking for a retail location, South Coast Collective was my absolute first choice,” Bevacqua explained. “The center’s direct access to a major highway attracted me initially, as it makes our concept easy to visit from Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and other areas. The nearby commercial district will be convenient for businesspeople to enjoy lunch, and the surrounding consumer demographics are terrific.

“We also like the fact that consumers are presently visiting the center’s restaurant roster, so they are in the habit of thinking about SoCo when making dining choices,” he added. “We aim to provide a compelling new option in the Southern California area.”

Constructed in 2007 and located at 3303-3323 Hyland Avenue in Orange County on a 20-acre site with 1,000 feet of frontage on the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405), SoCo is anchored by COCO RepublicDesign Within ReachLa-Z-Boy, and Paul Mitchell the School, with additional retailers including Brown JordanNatuzzi Italia, and Room & Board. Restaurants and food concepts include Arc Food and LibationsButcher’s HouseGreenleaf Kitchen & Cocktails, Moulin, and Portola Coffee.

“We are truly impressed by Antonio’s vision and have great confidence in his ability to bring his plans to life, establishing Il Girasole as a must-visit destination at SoCo,” said Kristina O’Keefe, Vice President of the Commercial Division at CRC. “Distinctive restaurants are key to shaping the atmosphere of the center, serving as a central hub for the community, and we are certain that Il Girasole will become a defining part of the SoCo experience.”

Also contained within the property is The OC Mix, a nearly 15,000 square foot shopping and dining experience featuring more than 20 distinct full-service sit-down restaurants, coffee shops, quick service restaurants, a fine cheese retailer, a barber and, other unique soft good retailers.

More than 340,000 vehicles pass the SoCo site on an annual basis via Interstate 405. More than 200,000 people, including more than 65,000 households with an average household income exceeding $132,000, are located within a three-mile radius of SoCo. Additionally, 125,000 people work within a three-mile radius.

Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland and founded in 1960, Continental Realty Corporation is a full-service commercial real estate and investment company focused on acquiring and operating retail and multifamily properties. The privately held firm owns and manages a diversified portfolio of retail centers consisting of nearly eight million square feet of commercial space and more than 10,000 apartment homes across 13 states, with a portfolio value exceeding $4 billion. For additional information, visit www.crcrealty.com.

Furniture Retailer Lovesac, Cabinet Supplier BauTeam And Fireclay Handmade Tile Joining South Coast Collection

BALTIMORE, MD (August 22, 2024) – Furniture retailer Lovesac, cabinet supplier BauTeam and Fireclay Handmade Tile have signed leases with Continental Realty Corporation (CRC) for space at South Coast Collection (SoCo) a 292,000 square foot luxury home furnishing and design lifestyle center in Costa Mesa with a 60-store tenant mix featuring design, home furnishings, fashion, and culinary retailers. CRC, a Baltimore-based real estate investment and management company active in 11 states, acquired SoCo last fall, representing the group’s entry into Southern California retail real estate market. BauTeam leased 2,035 square feet of space and is expected to open later this year. Lovesac signed a 2,198 square foot lease and is expected to open mid-summer, while Fireclay Handmade Tile executed a 2,238 square foot lease and intends to open this fall.

BauTeam manufactures and sells indoor and outdoor kitchen cabinetry, countertop vanities, closet systems and furnishings, and other household accessories. The European-based group maintains showrooms throughout the United States, including locations in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York, Las Vegas, and Miami. The company offers furniture solutions for the living room, home office, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom, with products manufactured in Germany using high-end woodworking technology.

Lovesac is a technology-driven company that designs, manufactures, and sells unique, high-quality furniture derived through its proprietary Designed for Life approach, which results in products that are built to last a lifetime and designed to evolve as their customers’ lives do. The current product offering is comprised of modular couches called Sactionals, premium foam beanbag chairs called Sacs, and associated home decor accessories. Invisible, immersive surround-sound via StealthTech Sound + Charge is offered through the Sactionals platform on all customizable styles.

“Lovesac has a strong and growing presence in Southern California,” stated Chris Palma, Director of Real Estate Strategy for Lovesac. “We’ve had our eyes on opening a new showroom at SoCo Collection for many years, due to its strong customer profile and tenant mix, as well as the overall premium aesthetic of the center. We are excited to join this true furniture destination and give customers the opportunity to experience Lovesac’s latest products & technology.”

Fireclay Handmade Tile offers a fresh take on a tile showroom experience, with a wide range of semi-custom made to order products from ceramic to glass to brick and more, all handcrafted in the United States. Design and tile experts are available in-store to provide guidance and help bring projects to life.

“Fireclay has always been a partner to the design trade, and knowing that SoCo Collection is a destination for designers, we’re thrilled to join so many like-minded brands in Costa Mesa,” stated Jamie Chappell, Fireclay’s VP of Brand and Marketing.

Constructed in 2007 and located at 3303-3323 Hyland Avenue in Orange County on a 20-acre site with 1,000 feet of frontage on the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405), SoCo is anchored by Coco RepublicDesign Within ReachLa-Z-Boy, and Paul Mitchell the School, with additional retailers including Brown JordanNatuzzi, and Room & Board. Restaurants and food concepts include Arc Food and Libations, Butcher’s HouseGreenleaf Kitchen + CocktailsMoulin, and Portola Coffee.  

Also contained within the property is The OC Mix, a nearly 15,000 square foot shopping and dining experience featuring more than 20 distinct full-service sit-down restaurants, coffee shops, quick service restaurants, a fine cheese retailer and an art gallery. Many of the tenants offer tasting events, cooking classes and other events that draw unique visitors to the concept. The OC Mix is ranked in the top 10 percent nationally for foot traffic, according to Placer.ai, a market research company that reports on consumer behavior by tracking store visits.

Situated adjacent to SoCo is the corporate headquarters for Vans, including 500 employees, with numerous other high value properties nearby, such as the 640,000 square foot Anduril Industries corporate campus, a site designated for the construction of more than 1,000 multifamily units and one of the busiest Ikea stores in the country, according to Placer.ai. SoCo is also home to Orange County’s largest weekly Farmers Market, which regularly draws unique visitors to the lifestyle center.

More than 340,000 vehicles pass the SoCo site on an annual basis via Interstate 405. More than 200,000 people, including more than 65,000 households with an average household income exceeding $132,000, reside within a three-mile radius of SoCo. An additional 125,000 people work within a three-mile radius.

“The addition of BauTeam, Lovesac and Fireclay Handmade Tile further differentiates South Coast Collection in the marketplace, with its synergistic tenant mix including among the nation’s top home design and furniture stores,” stated Kristina O’Keefe, CRC’s Vice President, Commercial Division. “Our team continues to attract highly-recognized tenants with strong brand appeal that inject energy and provide compelling new reasons for consumers to visit SoCo. Each of these new operators adds to the allure of South Coast Collection and furthers our promise of providing a distinctive shopping experience.”

Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland and founded in 1960, Continental Realty Corporation is a full-service commercial real estate and investment company focused on acquiring and operating retail and multifamily properties. The privately held firm owns and manages a diversified portfolio of retail centers consisting of almost eight million square feet of commercial space and over 9,000 apartment homes across 11 states, with a portfolio value exceeding $4 billion. For additional information, visit www.crcrealty.com.

An Inside Look at Butcher’s House Brasserie

A look inside Butcher’s House Brasserie: the modern-day brasserie concept centered around the antique craft of butchery. Chef Jeoffrey combines his expertise in butchery with his professional culinary skills, guiding the entire process from meat preparation to the creation of mouthwatering dishes. Get ready to be immersed in the atmosphere of this inviting restaurant and taste unexpected flavors.


WATCH S2, EPISODE 11 NOW

Taste The Cheese Shop at SOCO + The OC Mix

Taste The Cheese Shop: a full-service cheese shop stocked full of domestic and imported artisanal cheeses that will level up your next snack board. Serving breakfast, specialty sandwiches, cheese and beautiful charcuterie plates, the specially trained “Cheesemongers” staff at The Cheese Shop is always ready to help you select the perfect pairings with something delicious like local honey, jam, chocolate, dried fruit, hand-crafted salumi and more.

Stop by for a taste, a wedge or a party board to share with friends. Located inside The OC Mix.

WATCH S2, EPISODE 10 NOW

The Getaway Barbershop: A Cut Above The Rest ✂️

Get to know The Getaway Barbershop, nestled inside The OC Mix in Costa Mesa. Step into this hidden gem where craftsmanship meets community, as we explore the barbershop’s artful blend of vintage aesthetics and modern techniques.
Join us on a journey that reveals the dedication, skill, and passion behind this iconic establishment, where every haircut becomes a transformative experience. Discover how The Getaway Barbershop is redefining the art of grooming, one exceptional cut at a time.

WATCH S2, EPISODE 9 NOW

Sip ‘N Shop at SOCO – RSVP Today!

 

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

 

Join us for live music, tasty samples, photo ops, and shopping specials at SOCO & The OC Mix’s “Sip and Shop” on July 7 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The first (100) event check-ins will get to sip on complimentary Birdie Bowl and Juicery treats, nibble on The Cheese Shop samples, be entered to win giveaways, and shop with specials from select stores!

Guests will also receive a raffle ticket for every $50.00 spent, and have the opportunity to take a professional picture at our B. Forever Young photo booth.

Activities include:·

  • “Say Cheese!” by The Cheese Shop
(Enjoy a cheese sample, with family and friends)
  • “Take a picture!” by B. Forever Young Photography
(Summer-themed picture booth, to inspire your Summer decor!)
  • “Cheers! Happy Juicery Ticket” by Birdie Bowl and Juicery
(Use your drink ticket. Pick up your Birdie Bowl beverage in The OC Mix!)
  • “The Knockouts” in the SOCO Courtyard
(Enjoy live, local 80’s music in the SOCO Courtyard!)

Photography and food/beverage items are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don’t wait! Reserve your spot today.