The Crowd

B.W. Cook

Martinis were mixed. Szechwan-woked Cheng Pee chicken sizzled. A jazz

quartet played “When Sunny Get’s Blue.”

Not just another evening on the Orange Coast, but a store opening for the

fabulous Crate & Barrel furniture and home wares collection at the new

South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa.

“Yes, we are new, different, evolving,” offered South Coast Plaza

managing partner Henry Segerstrom. In the crowd of some 1,200

opening-night revelers Wednesday evening, Segerstrom was joined by his

wife, Renee, looking very smart in a suit of winter white wool, and other

family members including son, Anton, and niece, Sandy Segerstrom Daniels,

with her husband, John Daniels, for what was one of the most fun store

openings on the Orange Coast.

The primary purpose of the evening was to welcome Crate & Barrel to the

community. The task was handled with considerable style as it was placed

in the hands of local charity, namely the most worthy Friends of the

Mission San Juan Capistrano.

Co-chaired by an exquisite young hostess named Kimberly Prado, joined at

the party by husband, Eduardo, and teamed with one of the classier ladies

on the social register, Madeline Swinden, the opening filled the new

store with very impressed local patrons while raising funds to support

the preservation of a California landmark.

A win-win situation to be certain.

The best part of the entire operation was simply that everyone was having

a super time. Guests had a ball looking at all the new holiday home

merchandise. Nadie and Bill Weltner of Newport Beach were caught in the

holiday ornament section. Nadie was trying on miniature Christmas hand

puppets with pal Donna Bunce.

“Isn’t this elf darling?” cooed Bunce, dressed to kill in her elegant

signature red suit. Weltner preferred her Christmas moose, complete with

antlers. Jim Swinden, husband of hostess and co-chair Madeline and son of

guest Joan Irvine Smith, rushed by with a pair of martinis.

His wife had door duty. Refreshments were surely in order. Lido

Penninusla’s Cecilia and Bruce Nott were in the crowd, chatting with

friends and family members, sampling the incredible array of food

stations catered by Orange County’s culinary superstar David Wilhelm.

Wilhelm’s catering arm is called Culinary Adventures, and the operation

went all out for the opening of Crate & Barrel.

The food was superb. Stations included chicken fricassee a la moutard for

a taste of Paris. Shrimp and smoked Gouda cheese quesadillas provided a

taste of Mexico. From Italy, pasta galore. Even a clever display of

Pacific Rim cuisine, including delicious apricot sweet chile vegetable

spring rolls served in miniature white Chinese takeout cartons were seen

all about the store as guests mingled.

And speaking of mingling, CEO of Crate & Barrel, Gordon Segal, was in

from his Chicago headquarters for the party. The personable marketing and

merchandising king greeted the Orange County locals with warm Midwestern

hospitality. Equally impressive was his staff at the new store, seemingly

comprised of one sales associate for every customer, who had hands

outstretched to shake one and all. More impressive, the staff had been

trained to ask questions.

“What do you think of the new store?” “Are you pleased with the

merchandise?” “Do you have any questions about our furniture lines?”

“What is your personal taste or preference in terms of furniture?” Each

one of the new staff made a considerable effort to get involved -- not

pushy, but refreshingly pleasant and helpful. The message was not lost on

the crowd.

Sharon Ormsbee, co-owner of the popular Costa Mesa-based resale furniture

boutique Newport Consign Design, was spotted in the crowd with her

daughter, Cara Christensen. Ormsbee was possibly checking out the new

goods being sold to see what merchandise the local crowd would be

bringing in to her store in years to come. Just kidding.

Ormsbee is very active with longtime local charitable groups such as

Angelitos de Oro and the Friends of the Mission, sponsors of the evening.

Also seen among the stylish goods were Marilyn and Tom Nielsen, South

Coast Plaza’s Werner Escher, Debra Gunn Downing, community relations exec

Billur Wallerich looking very glam, and Friends of the Mission committee

members Electa Anderson, Christine Emmel, Susan Bonanno, Alison Hahn, Pam

Banks, Cathy Beaumont, Beth Bohn, Kendice Briggs, Linda Colton, Holly

Franks, Tracey Gottlieb, Melissa Snyder, Jody Johnson, Diane Knight,

Dianne McKinnon, Sandy Norton, Carol Porter, Carrie Pulone, Signe

Radovich, Tracy Ross and Susan Thomas.

As guests sampled the grand assortment of desserts provided by Wilhelm,

the sentiment was unanimous. Charity and commerce had joined forces for a

most successful kickoff of the new home fashion wing of South Coast Plaza

anchored by Crate & Barrel. And guess what? The store has parking right

at the front door, and windows fill the space with natural light.

“I told you we were the new South Coast Plaza,” said Henry Segerstrom.

Indeed he did.* B.W. COOK’S column appears every Thursday and

Saturday.CUTLINE: Newport-Mesa families supporting their student athletes

on the Newport Harbor High School water polo teams gathered to raise

funds and spirit at the Kings Road residence of Sandra and Robert Weiner.

The varsity boys’ water polo team ranks No. 1 in Orange County. From

left, seated, are Sandra Weiner and Lauren Johnson, vice president of the

boosters. From left, standing, are Tom Probert, president of the

boosters, and Robert Weiner.