GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

So many changes have taken place at South Coast Plaza and there will be

even more in the coming year. There are 40 new stores scheduled to open

this year, and debuting in September will be The Bridge of Gardens & The

Garden Terrace, and grand openings of Macy’s Home Store and Robinsons

May.

South Coast Plaza’s Anton Segerstrom says, “This is the most dramatic

transformation of South Coast Plaza in more than 30 years.”

You may have seen the construction of the bridge uniting South Coast

Plaza with the Crate & Barrel wing. What you might not know is, upon

completion, it will be a three-story, 600-foot-long open-air pedestrian

bridge, designed by renowned landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson. The

bridge features a 24,000-square-foot strata garden and connects South

Coast Plaza by providing a walkway from the garden terrace across to Bear

Street. Cafe Pascal, the newest restaurant from renowned restaurateur

Pascal Olhats, will open at the base of the bridge.

Macy’s Home Store is scheduled to open in August. It will be the first

Macy’s Home Store in the U.S. The 189,000-square-foot store will feature

design concepts, home furnishings and furniture, in addition to new cafes

and an in-store demonstration kitchen.

In November, a newly expanded Robinsons May will open its doors, with

more merchandise to chose from in its addition of 50,000 square feet.

Some of the other new and remodeled stores debuting this year include

Frette, Diesel, Roxy, Bruno Magli, Henry Cotton’s, Pottery Barn Design

Studio, Pottery Barn Kids, Williams-Sonoma Grand Cuisine, Chopard,

Max&Co.;, Watch Gear, D & G, Charles David, ICE Accessories, The White

Rabbit Children’s Bookstore and Tiny Computers.

Newly remodeled and expanded stores include Eddie Bauer, Hugo Boss, Laura

Ashley, Montblanc, The Limited, Louis Vuitton, Origins, and a flagship,

two-story Banana Republic.

Nordstrom is having its half-yearly sale for men. There are great savings

throughout the store on clothing, sportswear, furnishings and shoes for

men. Nordstrom is located at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.

Information: (714) 549-8300.

Another great sale is taking place at Draper’s & Damon’s. The mature

ladies’ fashion store is having a sale on sportswear, dresses and

accessories. Misses and petites are reduced 30% to 50%. Draper’s and

Damon’s is located in the Westcliff Plaza Shopping Center in Newport

Beach. Information: (949) 646-5521.

The Bolshoi Ballet will present “Don Quixote” and “Romeo and Juliet” at

upcoming performances at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. “Don

Quixote” will be performed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m.,

and “Romeo and Juliet” will be on Friday at 7:30 p.m., July 1 at 1:30

p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and July 2 at 2 p.m. The Orange County Performing Arts

Center is located at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. Tickets are on

sale at the Performing Arts Center’s box office and at Ticketmaster (714)

740-7878.

Today is the last day of the summer clearance sale at KMart. On sale are

selected patio sets and accessories, wicker sets and accessories, kid’s

patio sets, shade houses, patio umbrellas, cushions and stands reduced

20% off. KMart is located at 2200 Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa.

Information: (949) 646-7701.

If you love the look of Gucci, you’ll be happy to know that there is a

spring/summer sale going on at the South Coast Plaza location. On sale

are some ready-to-wear pieces, handbags and shoes. Gucci is located on

the second floor of South Coast Plaza, between Ann Taylor and J. Crew.

Information: (714) 557-9600.

Robinsons May has reduced selected women’s sunglasses by 30%. On sale are

selected frames from Jones New York, Steve Madden, FX, Nine West,

Geoffrey Beene, Riviera and more. Robinsons May is located at Fashion

Island in Newport Beach.

* BEST BUYS appears on Thursdays and Saturdays. Send information to Greer

Wylder at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa 92627, or via fax at (949) 646-4170.