Olympic swimmer and Irvine resident Jason Lezak made an appearance at Canali, a menswear boutique at South Coast Plaza.
The store fitted Lezak for his upcoming appearances on the talk show circuit, including “Oprah” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”
But he brought his own accessories: gold medals.
Lezak won two golds and one bronze in swimming events in Beijing, and he’ll likely be most remembered for his come-from-behind victory as the anchor leg of the 400-meter freestyle relay, where he out- touched the then world record holder in the 100-meter free. Without this win, Michael Phelps would not have won a record eight gold medals at the games.
Lezak, 32, posed for photos, let people hold his medal and talked with invited customers and other guests about his upcoming plans, which include taking a month off before getting back to training for upcoming meets.
Canali, which opened about five months ago, jumped at the opportunity to fit Lezak, said Scott Thompson, director for the South Coast Plaza store.
“You’ve got to strike when the iron is hot,” Thompson said.
After the closing ceremonies, the director of stores for Canali’s U.S. arm made some calls and Lezak agreed. Canali fitted Lezak for a couple of suits and some sportswear, all free. Canali’s high-end customers had the chance to meet a gold medalist.
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Lezak, center, with Cynthia Baird, left, Sheri Newcomer: Olympian brought gold medals to South Coast Plaza’s Canali |
Canali also provided the wardrobe for the male commentators at the Olympics.
Store Openings
The Closet has opened at Irvine Spectrum Center.
Earlier this year, the Costa Mesa-based clothing chain opened its flagship store at 1800 Newport Blvd. in Costa Mesa. That store replaced the location at Costa Mesa’s Triangle Square.
The Closet, owned by Billy and Kari Stade, sells national and local surf- and skate-inspired brands such as RVCA, Paul Frank, Diesel, Vans, Nixon and Volcom.
The Closet also has stores in Hun- tington Beach, Santa Monica and Fashion Island.
Phoenix-based Sprouts Farmers Market opened a 25,000-square-foot store in Seal Beach at 12301 Seal Beach Blvd. Sprouts’ other Orange County store is at The Market Place, where it replaced Whole Foods Market early this year.
Sprouts sells farm produce, vitamins and supplements, seafood, cheeses and other items.
Panera Bread has opened a location in Fullerton. Ronald Shaich, chief executive of the Richmond Heights, Mo.-based chain, said OC is the ideal market for the cafe.
“They get the Panera difference,” he said.
Panera also has spots in Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and Costa Mesa. The company has about 50 stores in Southern California.
Trimming Stores
Steve & Barry’s LLC, now owned by BHY S & B; Holdings LLC, is trimming down from 276 stores to about 170. Steve & Barry’s, which takes up two levels at Buena Park Downtown mall, will be one of the casualties. No specific date has been set.
OC’s other Steve & Barry’s at the Block at Orange hasn’t been slated for closure.
Tough Times for Ford
It’s tough being an auto dealer in a dismal market. It’s even tougher being a Ford dealer, given the automaker’s own financial woes.
In July, Ford Motor Co. announced its biggest quarterly loss ever,$8.7 billion.
Ford dealer Jim Ross, owner of Sunset Ford in Westminster and Sunset Ford in Montebello, says he’s staying profitable so far, but is making plans to weather the downturn.
He’s cut back on expenses and is focusing on salesmanship.
“We’ve got the best lineup today,” he said.
That lineup includes more small autos, such as the Focus and Fiesta, due out in the fall.
Ford has shifted its focus from large autos to meet the demand of customers, who are paying more attention to miles per gallon.
The Hybrid Fusion, a midsize sedan, is due out early next year.
“That should be a sure winner for us,” Ross said.
Octavio Navarro, an Irvine-based spokes-man for Ford, says the company has a simple goal: to sell more cars in a tough economy.
“Two years ago it was hard for us to sell a Focus,” he said. “Now we can’t make them fast enough.”
The Fiesta, to hit U.S. dealerships this fall, will be the same one that’s already sold in Europe, he said. “People like the European styling more,” he said.
The Fiesta competes with the Toyota Yaris and the Honda Fit.
Navarro believes the shift in consumer behavior is a permanent one, even if gas prices go down, he said.
What auto manufacturers are trying to figure out now is: how to make a small car profitable.
