Originally Posted By velo Hi Guys, Doing more research for work - looking for cute, undiscovered towns in So. Cal. Have read a lot about Brea. Can I get local feedback if possible? Shopping area, ambiance, etc? Anyone live near here or spend any time here? I know it's a small area, but up and coming. Thanks all! P.S. Please feel free to suggest other towns to look at - we do know about Pasadena and other larger, well-known areas. But are there any hidden gems we're not thinking of?
Originally Posted By Elderp I could mention a few but then you might write about them and then they'd be discovered and then people would move there and then it wouldn't be a gem anymore. My only suggestion is head for the hills, but not the San Bernardino hills because I like life the way it is up here. Try the San Diego mountains. Julian is always looking for more tourist dollars.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Brea is very ho hum as far as I'm concerned. It's just another suburb. They have a mall, LOL. It is also right next to Cal State Fullerton.
Originally Posted By velo well, we're not looking for tourist areas, ElderP. That can be a pretty fickle crowd. We are looking for "towns" with cute/nice (quaint?) shopping areas that might appreciate having our store located there. We're not very enthused with big malls and prefer the "store-front" atmosphere (and lots of walk-by traffic, lol).
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Ah, but I see you are researching for work. In that case, Brea might be a fit! Also look at areas of Irvine and Anaheim Hills.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ You know what would really fit your clientele, velo? The Southcoast Plaza area. Not the mall itself, but the shops across the street.
Originally Posted By velo yeah, the map shows it next to Fullerton. It was mentioned by "Sunset" magazine as being a good example of a town re-inventing itself. Published demographics look good (plus lower per sq/ft leases!), etc. The Camp in Anaheim is still a possibility but if we're going to send someone down we'd like to check out some other areas.
Originally Posted By peeaanuut ok not sure what your work is so I cant comment on that. But they have a great 9 hole course with a revine down the middle. Great round of golf for only a few bucks.
Originally Posted By velo does the area outside the Plaza have a "name", SuzieQ? p.s. I almost used this as an excuse to TRAVEL there (with you, lol) this weekend but who's watching the kids dangit!
Originally Posted By Ursula El Segundo, Fullerton, Playa del Rey, Alta Dena, and one more place that I can't think of the name of but they have a great walk street.
Originally Posted By velo yes, see that's what we're looking for! A great walk-street! Thanks Ursula!
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Ursula, what's the name of the outdoor center across from South Coast? Crystal Plaza? Heck, I can't think of it!!
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Hmmm... guess it's simply called South Coast Plaza Village. <a href="http://www.seeing-stars.com/Shop/SouthCoastPlaza.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.seeing-stars.com/Sh op/SouthCoastPlaza.shtml</a>
Originally Posted By Dave >>>But are there any hidden gems we're not thinking of?<<< One hidden gem of Brea is "The Hat" <a href="http://www.thehat.com" target="_blank">http://www.thehat.com</a> Brea is a nice town
Originally Posted By friendofdd Please also consider the cities of Orange and Tustin. Both have vital *Old Town* areas.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Is the downtown circle in Orange still a great place? I grew up going to the Methodist church right there. That and the huge public library (well, big to me as a child) are fond memories. What about the street fair? Is that still happening?
Originally Posted By Big Thunder well for "all natural bath & body products" I would presume that you are looking for a mid-upper end retail location in a hip yuppie middle class type area. The first places that come to mind to me is also Pasadena, Santa Monica Promenade, South Coast plaza, etc. Problem with those are, high rent, I as just talking to someone in San Francisco who is looking for the exact type of place and has been doing some searching, traveling and investigative work and his problem is that he finds the hip spot, but the rent is out of reach and would have to sell 4 times what his normal sales are and doesn't think he can survive the 6 month to one year period it will take to catch on and gain clientele. That may not be the case for your company though? As for Brea, I think it might work there, but if it were inside the Brea mall there are other stores that sell that stuff. What about Kiosks? Does that work for your products sort of as a small scale test market? I live i the San Gabriel valley a bit east of Pasadena, in my area I would recommend Arcadia, or maybe even nearby old town Monrovia which is the next town over, you may get more bang for your buck as their Old Town retail area is popular, I gave Mrs Thunder a gift once for make over at a day spa there and she has been going back ever since spending 10 times more on beauty products and treatments. Here in Glendora there is sort of an old town with a day spa also. For big retail mall type places, Arcadia has a mall with mid to upscale stores.
Originally Posted By Big Thunder hey Dave, I noticed we have similar taste in classic L.A. eateries [been back to Philippe's recently?] Sometimes I stop a the Hat in Alhambra, I remember that one from back when I was a kid and it's still the same.
Originally Posted By Ursula Montrose? Is that the little town with the cute walk street with the old 50's bowling alley? I LOVE Philippe's!!! FRENCH DIPS are to die for!!!!!
