Fashion Island Celebrates 50 Fabulous Years
The allure continues... Visitors and Newport Beach’s fashionable denizens are flocking to Fashion Island in honor of its 50th anniversary as a shopping, dining and entertainment destination. On Sept. 9, the iconic Orange County shopping center officially celebrates its gilded year in high-style. Coinciding with Customer Appreciation Day,
Fashion Island’s 50th Birthday will set the stage with live entertainment, refreshments, in-store parties, exclusive promotions and festive photo opportunities.
Fashion Island plays an integral role in Orange County history, dating back to 1953, when the Irvine Ranch hosted the famous National Boy Scout Jamboree on its grounds. After a year of construction, Fashion Island opened on Sept. 9, 1967 with a charity event attended by 18,000 people. At the time, the open-air shopping center clocked in at 909,000 square feet with four department stores: Buffums, The Broadway, Robinson’s, and Penneys (now known as J.C. Penney), as well as 52 specialty stores and two restaurants: Bob Burns and the Velvet Turtle.
Fast-forward to 2017, and Fashion Island has expanded from its original 20 acres to 75, from two restaurants to 30 and from 52 shops to 160. Its vibrant $100-million renovation in 2010 transformed both the center’s buildings and outdoor spaces, incorporating an additional 22,000 square feet of retail space, expanded parking and 20 new stores and restaurants. The landscape exudes a breezy, Mediterranean feel embracing its coastal setting. In addition to Fashion Island’s many retail stores, the center boasts over 30 dining options, a luxury movie theater, a complimentary personal shopping & new trolley service, a Whole Foods Market and “At Your Service,” a high-tech, location-based concierge.
To show its gratitude for 50 fabulous years, Fashion Island is hosting the multi-faceted 50 Days of Fashion, featuring in-store events through Sept. 16. Ready each day with a reward: Expect 25-percent off all Macy’s clothing Aug. 26, a complimentary appetizer with the purchase of any entrée at True Food Kitchen Aug. 31, and a complimentary makeover and gift at Urban Decay Sept. 16. From top-tier restaurants to retail, discover specials offered at Orange County’s lifestyle destination.
For the full 50 Days of Fashion calendar, visit http://www.shopfashionisland.com/events/50-days-of-fashion-island-2017/.
