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Status Update: Restaurants, retailers sign leases at The Canopy in Irvine

March 23, 2026

The first wave of tenants have signed leases at The Canopy in Irvine. The 12-acre shopping center is under construction now with its developer, Almquist. Stores are slated to open in late 2026. (Aerial photo courtesy of Almquist)

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The first tenants have signed the paperwork to operate at The Canopy, a 12-acre shopping center under development at the Great Park Neighborhoods.

The Irvine shopping center being developed by Almquist is making progress with shops slated to open by late 2026. The key anchor, T&T Supermarkets (the largest Asian grocery chain in Canada), is expected to debut its first Southern California store by early 2027.

Almquist, founded and helmed by Dan Almquist, is the same group behind the River Street Marketplace in San Juan Capistrano, so some of the merchants coming to Irvine will sound familiar to south county shoppers.

Here’s a look at the early lineup, first in the food category …

Chicha San Chen: An “elevated” Taiwanese tea brand

H&H Bagels: The New York institution featured in “Seinfeld” is bringing its signature bagels and bagel sandwiches to its first Orange County location.

In-N-Out Burger: Do we really need to say more?

JJANG Yakiniku and Social House: Asian fusion grill concept featuring tabletop grilled meats.

Osen Urban Table: The spinoff from Izakaya Osen in Irvine and Los Angeles is considering a handroll-focused concept.

Philz Coffee: The quirky San Francisco coffee chain offers beverages and pastries.

Shootz: The Hawaiian-inspired street food offers kimchi butter chicken katsu sando and brulee’d Spam musubi.

The Taco Stand: Tijuana-style taqueria.

Chicha San Chen, an “elevated” Taiwanese tea brand, is coming to The Canopy in Irvine. (Photo courtesy of Chicha San Chen)

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Chicha San Chen, an “elevated” Taiwanese tea brand, is coming to The Canopy in Irvine. (Photo courtesy of Chicha San Chen)

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Retail merchants …

Free People Movement: Part of the Free People (bohemian) apparel family, the brand offers contemporary women’s activewear

Rylee + Cru: The store founded by illustrator and designer Kelli Larson and her father, Kevin Murray features apparel for children and babies.

Solestage: The Los Angeles-based retailer specializes in rare, hard-to-find sneakers, apparel and accessories.

Sol Studio: This fitness and movement studio uses Pilates and a “unique, heated approach to movement.”

Sunfeel: Fine jewelry known for its proprietary gold and solder-free craftsmanship.

Palmetto Superfoods is opening at River Street Marketplace in San Juan Capistrano. The company sells açaí bowls, smoothies, cold-pressed juices and a matcha menu. Its due to open this month at the outdoor retail center’s Rodeo food hall. (Photo courtesy of Palmetto Superfoods)

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New shops at River Street Marketplace

Palmetto Superfoods and Rylee + Cru are joining River Street Marketplace in San Juan Capistrano.

It’s the first Orange County cafe for San Francisco-based Palmetto Superfoods, which sells açaí bowls, smoothies, cold-pressed juices and a matcha menu. Its due to open this month at the outdoor retail center’s Rodeo food hall.

Rylee + Cru, inside the former Meat Cellar space, sells sustainable clothing with nostalgic prints, earth tones. The store, the third for the brand, is due by summer.

Address: 31856 Paseo Adelanto

The California Double Shackburger with fries and a shake from Shake Shack. (Photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

Shake Shack coming to Laguna Niguel

Shake Shack recently got the green light from the city planning commission in Laguna Niguel.

The burger restaurant will replace the former IHOP near the intersection of Alicia Parkway and Aliso Creek Road.

According to the city, the vacant restaurant will be demolished to make way for a 3,418-square-foot Shake Shack with a dual-lane drive-thru, outdoor patio seating, updated landscaping and improved parking and circulation.

This Shake Shack also will come with a permit to serve beer and wine for indoor, on-site consumption.

Veggie Grill’s new Tustin location is open at The Market Place in Tustin. The restaurant closed in May 2024 after its building was demolished at the retail center. Seen here is the variety of vegan bowls offered at Veggie Grill. (Photo courtesy of Stephanie Kelly Photography)

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Veggie Grill reopens at The Market Place

Veggie Grill’s new Tustin location is open at The Market Place in Tustin.

This location is also the first to offer vegan shakes, which are made with organic, house-made soy or coconut soft-serve ice cream with flavors featuring cookies ‘n cream, strawberry and rotating seasonal varities.

Next Level, which owns the brand, said the original Veggie Grill Tustin closed in May 2024 when the building was demolished by Irvine Company to make way for new apartments.

“We are stoked to finally bring these earth-shattering shakes to Veggie Grill by Next Level at our brand-new flagship location in Orange County,” said founder and CEO Matt de Gruyter.

Next Level operates vegan restaurant brands Next Level Burger and Veggie Grill by Next Level.

Veggie Grill’s menu features burgers, burritos, salads, sandwiches, wraps and superfood smoothies.

Address: 2955 El Camino Real

New farmer’s market in Newport Harbor

The Newport Harbor Farmers Market in Newport Beach debuted March 14.

It takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., “rain or shine.”

Organizers call the market a “food first,” weekly event, designed to be a weekly grocery hub for Newport Heights, Dover Shores and Eastside Costa Mesa. Shoppers should not expect a carnival-like setting, but instead a variety of a vendors selling organic, locally sourced food.

Key anchors include seafood from Dry Dock Fish, organic greens from Oak Grove Farms and SunnyCal Farms, and sourdough from Bread Artisan Bakery.

Shoppers should expect a lineup of about 20 vendors to start.

Address: Newport Harbor Lutheran Church, 798 Dover Drive (Dover Dr & 16th).

Restaurant reopens at Anaheim hotel

Top of the V is newly reopened at The Viv Hotel in Anaheim.

The rooftop restaurant offers a new Spanish-inspired steakhouse concept in redesigned interior. The menu also offers shareable tapas and paellas, interactive tableside dishes and skyline views.

Menu highlights include the Picanha steak, a cut known for its flavor and fat cap; a 21-day dry-aged ribeye; Arroz Negra (black rice) paella made with squid ink and octopus; Basque-style cod; beet salad with whipped goat cheese.

The restaurant, which also features a private dining room behind the main kitchen, best for smaller groups, has nearly 5,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor space for up to 150 guests.

$5,000 grants available to California small businesses

Small business grants are available from Verizon.

The company is offering $5,000 grants to 25 eligible entrepreneurs through its Verizon Small Business Digital Ready platform.

The $5,000 grant is open to for-profit small businesses with a primary business address anywhere in California.

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and prepared to provide standard business verification (W-9 and ACH documentation) if selected as a finalist.

Business owners must:

—Register or sign in to the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready platform.

—Complete at least one course, virtual event, or in-person coaching session before March 31.

—Submit an application via the platform before the end of day, March 31.

For more information, go to digitalready.verizonwireless.com

Hal Denso is the new general manager at Pinnacle Precision, an Anaheim manufacturer and division of The Partner Cos. The company makes sheet metal parts and assemblies for a number of industries. Denso previously was the GM at Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing in Corona. (Photo courtesy of Pinnacle Precision)

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On the move

Pinnacle Precision, a manufacturer and division of The Partner Cos., recently hired Hal Denso as general manager and Yousef Nasrallah as vice president of Finance for the Anaheim firm. The company makes sheet metal parts and assemblies for industries including medical, aerospace, defense, communications and technology. Denso previously was the GM at Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing in Corona. Nasrallah was previously controller at Value Windows & Doors in Duarte.

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.

Status Update: Restaurants, retailers sign leases at The Canopy in Irvine Orange County Register

News Details

Status Update: Restaurants, retailers sign leases at The Canopy in Irvine

New shops at River Street Marketplace

Shake Shack coming to Laguna Niguel

Veggie Grill reopens at The Market Place

New farmer’s market in Newport Harbor

Restaurant reopens at Anaheim hotel

$5,000 grants available to California small businesses

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