7 Leaves, a coffee, tea and matcha shop founded in Westminster in 2011, is coming to Orange.
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The store is replacing a shuttered Walgreens pharmacy at the corner of Prospect Street and Chapman Avenue. (We can already envision the line of students from nearby El Modena High and McPherson Magnet when it opens.)
News of the incoming cafe, confirmed via city planning documents, was first reported by There’s No Place Like Orange, a digital brand created by Brandy Romero, who’s running for a seat in November’s Orange City Council election.
City documents indicate 7 Leaves was issued a permit this summer to make tenant improvement for a 1,976-square-foot cafe. Work has already begun to reimagine the space.
7 Leaves sells a variety of cold drinks — from coffee and tea to matcha. It also sells baked goods made locally. The concept was inspired by co-founder Quang Nguyen, who sampled Thai tea and other cold coffees made by street vendors during a visit to Vietnam.
In 2023, 7 Leaves expanded to the Atlanta area (Duluth) and Phoenix, with eyes on further expansion in those regions. It also has shops in Las Vegas and Texas. Last year, it opened a cafe in La Habra. Its website says it operates 43 stores.
Address: 3237 E Chapman Ave.
NFCU opens today in Fullerton
Navy Federal Credit Union opened a new branch Monday, Sept. 21 in Fullerton.
The branch in the Fullerton Metrocenter shopping center offers the usual banking services plus mortgage application, notary and IRA services.
The branch manager is Ferris Robbins.
This newest branch is the ninth in Southern California for the credit union, the largest in the United States. NFCU says it has more than 44,000 local members. Nationwide, the credit union based in Vienna, Va., counts more than 15.3 million members and $203 billion in total assets.
The credit union to celebrate its Fullerton debut donated $5,000 to Support the Enlisted Project (STEP), a nonprofit that provides financial counseling and assistance to active-duty enlisted members, recently discharged enlisted veterans and their families.
Membership to NFCU is open to active, retired military, their dependents and Department of Defense personnel and their families.
Address: 1375 S. Harbor Blvd.
Dragon Kim project finalists compete Saturday
The Dragon Kim Foundation has announced annual project finalists who are advancing to the Dragon Challenge on Sept. 26.
The six teams of finalists were chosen from 37 overall projects created by students at 77 California high schools this summer.
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The finalist projects include:
— Healing Hoops, Maranatha High School in Pasadena
— Green Steps, University High School in Irvine
— Loops of Love, Portola High in Irvine
— MindcraftHers, La Canada High
— Talking Points, University High School in Irvine
— Untold Pages, Yorba Linda High School
The teams will present their projects to judges on Saturday at the Margaret A. Webb Theatre at the Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana.
This year also marks the foundation’s 10th anniversary. Its Fellowship program works with high school students, guiding them on how they can help them make a difference in the lives of others, especially those who are disadvantaged.
To help them do so, Dragon Kim awards service grants of up to $5,000 to teams who create and manage a service project. The winner of the Dragon Challenge will receive another $5,000 to continue their project.
For more information and tickets, go to dragonkimfoundation.org.
Save the date: Apostille popup returns
The county is hosting an apostille popup event on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at the county’s administration south building at 601 N. Ross St. in Santa Ana.
The event, held with the California Secretary of State, enables customers to get state certification on documents intended for use by foreign nations. Apostille services are typically only available in Los Angeles and Sacramento.
We’ll have more details on the one-day event as we get closer to it. Mark your calendars now, so you don’t forget.
Moon Doh is the new assistant conductor with Pacific Symphony for the 2026-27 season. (Photo courtesy of Katrena Chung)
On the move
Moon Doh is the new assistant conductor with Pacific Symphony for the 2026-27 season. The conductor, educator and community advocate, will lead several of the Symphony’s education and family programs and serve as music director of the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra. In addition to conducting several series youth concerts, he will continue in his role as music director of the Butler County Symphony Orchestra in Western Pennsylvania.
Grants
Tiyya Foundation in Santa Ana is a 2026 recipient of a $25,000 community grant from the Taco Bell Foundation. It’s the second year in a row that the nonprofit has received this grant. The money will go toward the organization’s Economic Advancement program, which provides career counseling, mock interviews, employer partnerships and job placement support for youth. Taco Bell Foundation this year is awarding $32 million to more than 700 youth-serving nonprofits in local communities.
Pretend City Children’s Museum is the recipient of $30,000 from U.S. Bank. The contribution includes $20,000 to support Pretend City’s annual Start Smart Luncheon and $10,000 for the museum’s participation in Museums for All, a program that helps families who can’t afford tickets to the museum. “This support helps us welcome more families through our doors while strengthening the programs and resources that give young children a strong start during their most important years of development,” said Ellen Pais, CEO of Pretend City, in a statement.
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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