Ikea’s Costa Mesa store is going solar.
The home furnishings company, part of Europe’s Inter Ikea Systems BV, is putting solar panels on the roofs of seven of its California stores, including its Costa Mesa store.
The 308,000-square-foot store, which opened in 2003, will have 30,000 square feet of solar panels, which Ikea says is equivalent to reducing the emissions of about 50 vehicles.
The company also is installing panels at its Palo Alto, Emeryville, Sacramento, Burbank, Covina and San Diego stores as well as its distribution center in Tejon in Kern County.
Taiwan’s Gloria Solar International Holding Inc. and San Luis Obispo-based Rec Solar Inc., which has an Irvine office, are installing the panels.
Companies typically tout the environmental benefits of solar energy. But the motivation for many is cheaper energy costs, especially as the price to install solar panels starts to come down.
Ikea joins The Shops at Mission Viejo, which installed solar panels last year. The mall, part of Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group Inc., says it saves 10% annually on energy.
Boutique Perspective
Sales at boutiques have been off. But here come the holidays.
“We’ll have a really good day and the next day we’ll have one sale,” said Jenny Johnson, owner of Patina Boutique in Costa Mesa. “It’s so bizarre. We’re not so sure it’s the economy anymore.”
Rainier weather could be a factor, according to Johnson.
She said she’s optimistic about the upcoming holiday shopping season.
“We’re hopeful,” she said. “We think it’s time for a change.”
Patina sells a variety of items, including perfume, jeans and jewelry from local designers, such as St. Eve and Minx Minx.
Stone Cold Fox, a vintage-inspired women’s clothing line, is one of its best sellers.
Last holiday season, Johnson’s store was busy, she said. But the amount of money people spent was less than in prior years, she said.
“It’s actually trendy to buy less expensive things now,” Johnson said.
Shoppers will still spend $200 on a pair of jeans, but they want a shirt for $30, she said.
“It could be that people’s priorities are changing, that they’re spending more time with family than giving gifts,” she said.
Johnson’s adjusted by bringing in lower-priced items and she’s taking part in more “buy locally” advertising campaigns.
King Size
Gardena-based mattress chain Sit ’n Sleep Inc. recently opened its biggest store in Anaheim.
The 15,800-square-foot Anaheim store is an outlet, offering larger discounts than the chain’s other stores. The store also sells pillows, sheets and other bed accessories.
Sit ’n Sleep has six Orange County stores, including in Santa Ana and Westminster. The company has 23 stores in all.
Rivals include Anaheim-based Custom Mattress Inc. and Garden Grove furniture and mattress retailer Linder’s Furniture.
Mall Tweets
Many local malls are on Twitter, tweeting everything from store promotions to Christmas tree arrivals.
Malls and stores have gotten a handle on how to use social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, and will be using it heavily this holiday season, according to retail watchers.
South Coast Plaza tweeted the arrival of its 96-foot Christmas tree as it traveled 650 miles from Mount Shasta to the shopping center.
A sampling from @SouthCoastPlaza: “Drivers honking and smiling at the ‘Follow Us To South Coast Plaza’ sign on the side of the truck … We’ve got gingerbread lattes tomorrow.”
The tree arrived last week. A lighting ceremony is planned for Nov. 18. Santa arrives Nov. 19.
Patsy Sanquist, director of marketing and business development for The Shops at Mission Viejo, regularly tweets at @ShopsMV: “Mark your calendars, H&M will officially open on Nov. 4 at noon! If you’re interested in working for H&M.”
Other malls also are on Twitter, including The Block at Orange, The District at Tustin Legacy, Laguna Hills Mall and Fashion Island.
Back on The Hanger
The Hanger clothing boutique in Tustin reopens this week after a remodel and expansion.
The Hanger is run by Fountain Valley nonprofit Working Wardrobes, which provides clothes and job placement help for those in need.
The store and two others provide 65% of the nonprofit’s income. Working Wardrobes also operates stores in Brea and Laguna Niguel.
Next year will mark the Tustin Hanger’s 10th year in business.
A paid manager runs the stores. The rest of the workers are volunteers. The stores sell men’s and women’s work, dress and casual clothing at a discount. It gets most of its clothing from people who make donations.
Royal Return
San Clemente Scooters and Cycle Supply now is selling Royal Enfield motorcycles.
The British motorcycles, which used to be sold under the Royal Enfield and Indian nameplates, are making a comeback in California after a 30-year absence.
The motorcycle has been sold in other states. But its former engine—a 60-year-old design—didn’t meet California’s air quality requirements.
Faribault, Minn.-based Classic Motorworks Ltd. is bringing the brand back to California.
San Clemente Scooters is one of seven Royal Enfield dealers that will sell the bike in California for its debut year.
