Costa Mesa getting better with age

Hardly a day goes by that all the media do not bombard us with the

new choices we, as consumers, have from which to choose. I’d go nuts

(not to mention broke) if I tried to keep up with all the new gizmos

that computer technology alone has to offer. There is always a new

store moving into Costa Mesa or a new trendy restaurant, and the

appropriate hoopla that goes with each grand opening. Don’t get me

wrong. I’m all in favor of new choices and offerings. Obviously the

Chamber of Commerce eats that sort of thing up.

However, I’d like to step away from that sensory overload for a

moment and ask that you join me in looking around Costa Mesa at the

variety of retail and services from which we have to choose. But,

rather than the new, focus on your old favorites -- the places that

you may have grown up knowing and enjoying. There are reasons why

they are still in business and why you still frequent them. They give

the service you expect and provide the merchandise that you still

need and they are an irreplaceable part of Costa Mesa. In some cases

they may remind you of a slower, less pressured day long gone. As

Costa Mesa approaches its 50th anniversary of incorporation next

year, we should celebrate the great businesses (some of which are

still family owned and operated) that have served generations of

Costa Mesa residents and continue to do so. Some are small businesses

and some are world renown.

I won’t even begin to think that I can list all of the businesses

that might qualify. So, in the space allowed and in no particular

order, I will mention some of those that have served the community

for, say, 25 years, often much longer. My apologies to those that I

fail to mention. But, I urge Daily Pilot readers to write or call in

your personal favorites to the Pilot’s editorial staff. Include your

name. Not only do you personalize your salute to the business that

you mention, but just maybe they’ll recognize you the next time you

stop in.

* Plaza Cutlery -- Do you know that Dan Delavan opened his store

in South Coast Plaza in December 1974 and still answers the phone

himself?

* Holiday Inn Costa Mesa -- Costa Mesa’s first hotel opened in

1972 and has recently undergone a complete renovation and deserves a

second look if you haven’t visited in a while. You may want to take

the opportunity during the Costa Mesa Orange County Classic Jazz

Festival being held Aug. 1-4 at both the Holiday Inn and the Hilton

Costa Mesa.

* South Coast Plaza and Town Center -- These magnificent retail

and business centers would be gems in any city in the world that

could lay claim to them. Costa Mesa is truly blessed to have bragging

rights to these along with the extraordinary performing arts venues

that have blossomed within the South Coast Metro. Before CJ

Segerstrom & Sons developed South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa truly only

knew beans.

* The Grant Boys -- “Buddy” Grant and his mother, Minnie, opened

Grant’s Surplus in 1949 on the site now occupied by Triangle Square.

In 1953 they moved to the present location. It’s nice to know that we

can enjoy the cosmopolitan amenities of South Coast Metro and still

retain a touch of our country roots with camping and fishing gear

provided by The Grant Boys.

* Ernest Kostlan, DDS -- With little doubt Kostlan has practiced

dentistry in Costa Mesa longer than anyone else has. He’s been at it

continuously since at least 1959. I bet that he’s filled as many

cubic feet of teeth as the city has of potholes.

* Nick’s Pizza -- Hidden behind the old run-down Harbor Center

was an Italian food restaurant that survived its surroundings -- and

for good reason. Nick’s now has “up front” exposure to Harbor

Boulevard in the newly remodeled center and continues to serve the

customers who would not let Nick retire. Good for us.

* Penjoyan Produce -- From its humble beginnings as a ticket

shack on a miniature golf course Penjoyan Produce now provides fresh

produce to both consumers and restaurants.

* Theodore Robins Ford -- Henry Ford may have gotten the jump on

him, but it seems that Theodore Robins Ford dealership was not far

behind. Still owned and operated by Bob Robins along with his son,

Jim, Theodore Robins Ford is probably the oldest dealership on Costa

Mesa’s Harbor Boulevard of Cars. I wonder just how many vehicles

they’ve sold and how much sales tax has come back to Costa Mesa just

from this one dealership.

* Grimley and Tremp, Inc. -- Do you recognize them? Neither John

Grimley nor Chuck Tremp looks old enough to have been certified

public accountants in Costa Mesa for more than 30 years. But, I

venture to say that they have a loyal following of clients that have

appreciated a tried and true method of accounting and advice that

doesn’t resemble Arthur Anderson in the least.

* Baker Equipment Rental & Sales -- Whether moving a refrigerator

or tilling your yard, Baker has probably filled the temporary

equipment needs of more residents than anyone else. Anthony Beringer

has been running Baker Equipment for as long as I can remember.

* Stater Brothers Markets -- Serving two ends of town, Stater

Brothers Markets are a familiar part of their respective

neighborhoods. While one has been modernized to a beautiful and

welcoming market, the other faces challenges of doing the same due to

code constraints. It’s past time for the city to help find ways to

relax the rules and allow a similar upgrade on the Eastside to better

serve its neighbors.

* Westin South Coast Plaza -- How can one think of the Westin

South Coast Plaza as being one of the “old” businesses in town?

Surprisingly, the Westin has been the premier of Costa Mesa hotels

since mid-1970s. With constant attention to the details of service

and quality, the Westin South Coast Plaza is Costa Mesa’s “best foot

forward” in welcoming travelers from around the world.

* Automobile Club of So. California -- While the beautiful

campus-style setting of Costa Mesa’s largest employer is a relative

newcomer to Costa Mesa along with the customer-service offices on

Harbor Boulevard, the Auto Club has been serving residents longer

than most of us have been driving.

* Cal’s Cameras -- Cal got his start at his brother’s camera

shop, “Stilley’s,” in Santa Ana in 1947. In 1962 Helen became his

wife and Costa Mesa became home, when they purchased Mears’ Camera on

Newport Boulevard. Happy 40th anniversary to Cal, Helen and Cal’s

Camera.

* Wigmore Insurance Company -- Beginning with Bob Wigmore and

followed by son Tim, Wigmore Insurance has been providing business,

home and auto insurance to several generations of Costa Mesans. You

just know there has to be a good reason why they are still here.

* Orange County Market Place -- No business in town has such a

constantly changing face. Open two days a week, 49 weekends a year,

it has to be torn down and rebuilt twice a week. What other business

could survive, much less thrive and spawn new businesses in its wake?

Its ever-changing concept is as unique as is the man behind it.

* Yoga Center of California -- Who can argue that Costa Mesa has

not always been way ahead of the curve in what is trendy? Tucked away

on East 17th Street the Yoga Center has been providing Yoga lessons

going on four decades.

* Orange Coast Dodge -- Maybe the name has recently changed from

Atlas Dodge, but Jon Gray (having gradually taken the reins from his

father, Gary) has taken over a 40-year presence in Costa Mesa, while

simultaneously building a new one with Orange Coast Jeep.

* Newport Rib Co. -- It seems that if you need to find someone in

Costa Mesa, all you have to do is hang around the Newport Rib Co.

Sooner or later it seems that everyone shows up for lunch or dinner.

Few give back to the community in a more personal way than do Fran

and Karen Ursini. Costa Mesa owes them both, big time. And they are

passing along their tradition of community giving to their children.

You have to love them as much as the ribs.

From El Matador and La Cave to Wright Hardware, Feed Barn and the

Omelette Parlor there are plenty more to be recognized. The Pilot

doesn’t have the space to mention all the stories at once. So, it’s

now up to you to shout the praises of your favorite businesses.

* ED FAWCETT is president of the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce.