Status Update: Mucho Mucho Market expanding to Mission Viejo; Dick’s opens in Brea

For it’s fifth anniversary, the operators of Mucho Mucho Market in Laguna Niguel gave themselves a gift: a new store.

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The market known to locals for its Latin flavors and pantry goods is expanding to Mission Viejo, leasing the shuttered High Park Tap House at the intersection of Alicia and Via Linda.

Owners Juan Vargas, Michelle Endo and Alex Arellano expect the store to open by end of summer. They were quick to tell readers in a social media post on Facebook that their first market location, celebrating five years at 28985 Golden Lantern, will remain open.

What is Mucho Mucho Market?

“We’re a specialty market with lots of imported goods, bulk legumes, produce, fresh made salsas, full meat counter and all of your essentials,” Endo told the Register last week.

She noted that the Mission Viejo market will offer some services not available in Laguna Niguel, including hot food and a patio dining area.

Mission Viejo address: 23641 Via Linda

Dick’s debuts at Brea Mall

Dick’s Sporting Goods is open at the Brea Mall, part of the retail center’s ongoing expansion, which has added several new merchants and restaurants with more on the way.

The retailer said in a statement that its new store format “revolutionizes the most typical 50,000 square foot Dick’s store.”

Shoppers can expect a big selection of team sports offerings for baseball, softball, soccer, football, lacrosse and hockey players.

Included in that array is The House of Cleats, offering a 360-degree view of more than 400 cleats varieties for various sports.

A larger footwear selection and a golf hitting bay also can be found at the Brea store.

Other new offerings at the Simon-owned mall include the restaurant North Italia, the popular tea maker HeyTea, TravisMathew (golf) and Kebab Lab. Coming this year are Din Tai Fung, Williams-Sonoma and Pacific Catch, among others.

Dick’s store hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Address: 1065 Brea Mall, Suite 2065

New stores coming to Outlets at Orange

The outdoor mall adjacent to the 22 freeway in Orange is adding more merchants in the weeks and months ahead. Here’s a quick look at who’s new and still to come.

Open now:

Chocolate Bash debuted in late March, opening its flagship store, which serves crepes, waffles and chocolate-dipped treats.

Moida: The Korean-beauty store with an assortment of skincare and beauty brands also opened in late March.

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Coming this summer:

Sip Fresh: fruit-based juices and beverages.

Chagee: The teahouse is known for handcrafted teas including tea lattes, straight tea and lemon teas.

Crunch Fitness: The gym offers all the usual equipment for strength and cardio training.

Locker Room by Lids: This shop for sports sells licensed gear for the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL, plus a variety of NCAA teams.

Opening in the fall:

Michael Kors: ready-to-wear apparel and accessories, footwear, watches and jewelry in men’s and women’s styles.

Address: 20 City Blvd. West, Orange

Author Land is keynote at philanthropy breakfast

Orange County United Way will feature keynote speaker Stephanie Land, the bestselling author of “Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive,” at its 23rd annual Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast on Thursday, May 21. Land’s life story of overcoming poverty and domestic violence inspired the hit Netflix series “Maid.”

The breakfast takes place from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Irvine.

A host of philanthropists, community leaders will offer panel discussions on inspiration and action.

The breakfast raises money to support programs that help families and students succeed in Orange County. To buy a ticket to the breakfast or to donate, go to WPFbreakfast.org.

On the move

Vanguard University in Costa Mesa appointed Ismael López Medel as its dean of the Patty Arvielo School of Business and Management. Medel, with at least 20 years of international higher-education experience, joined the private university last fall as a professor and chair of the Department of Communication. He’s been interim dean of the PASBM since October 2025. Medel in his role will oversee programs in accounting, business administration, communication, marketing and organizational psychology.

Gubernatorial appointments

Brian Conley of Laguna Woods was reappointed to the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority, where he has served since 2018. Conley has been president and CEO at Community College Connections since 2012. The Winter Park position does not require Senate confirmation; there is no compensation.

Good works

The Cristo Rey Orange County High School raised at least $2 million at its third annual ¡VIVA! Gala held at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point. The money raised will go toward tuition costs, organizers said, ensuring that Cristo Rey “remains an affordable option for students who might otherwise be unable to attend a Catholic, college-preparatory high school.” The Santa Ana-based school, which opened in the fall of 2023, is completing its third year of operation.

Waymakers’ annual Chari-Tea Party raised $101,000 that will go to programs and services that help Orange County residents facing crisis, violence and trauma. For more information about Waymakers, go to waymakers.org.

Correction

CureDuchenne will host its 13th annual Napa in Newport on March 5-7 at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach. For more information, visit cureduchenne.org. Last week’s Status Update included a date that was subsequently been changed.

Status Update is compiled and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to [email protected]. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.

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