JCPenney is closing its Westminster Mall location, marking the end of an era for the mall’s oldest anchor store. The retailer notified California’s Employment Development Department that the Westminster store will stay open through November 16 and will be permanently closed by November 21, just ahead of Thanksgiving. Shoppers have already noticed “store closing” signs at entryways.
All 76 Westminster employees are expected to lose their jobs unless they’re offered positions at other JCPenney locations. The company notes that, based on business needs and associates’ interests, a few associates may be offered employment at other JCPenney stores. Corporate letters to staff also indicate leadership will explore available jobs at other locations.
JCPenney opened in Westminster in 1993, replacing a Robinson-May store. Once this location shuts, there will be only two JCPenney stores remaining in Orange County — at the Brea Mall and MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana. A JCPenney at the Village at Orange was bulldozed in April. Today, JCPenney operates 62 stores across California. The company filed for bankruptcy protection in 2020 and earlier this year merged with Sparc Group, the operator of Eddie Bauer and Aéropostale, forming Catalyst Brands.
Redevelopment plans for Westminster Mall are already in motion. Shopoff Realty Investments, which owns a substantial stake in the mall, has proposed a redevelopment on 26 acres that would add 1,065 rental units and 102 owner-occupied townhomes, with roughly 10% of the new housing designated as affordable. The plan envisions a mix of outdoor retail, office space and residential components. Irvine-based Shopoff also holds portions of the property, and Washington Prime Group had placed its stake up for sale earlier this year as part of broader mall ownership changes.
Goodwill in Orange County expands its footprint with a new thrift store in Costa Mesa. Located at 2666 Harbor Boulevard, the 9,700-square-foot store — including a donation center — opened on Friday, Aug. 22. This is Goodwill OC’s second store in the city, joining a location on 19th Street and a nearby donation center at the OC Fair & Event Center. The nonprofit operates 24 thrift stores and donation sites throughout Orange County, including five boutiques and its online ShopGoodwill.com.
In other local business news, Chocolate Bash has earned recognition as the 2025 Woman-Owned Business of the Year from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Founder Rasha Al Basha started the Newport Beach-based shop in 2015, offering waffles and crepes topped with chocolate, cookie butter and pistachio spreads, and now also serving milkshakes, matcha drinks and other desserts. The brand, with about 20 locations across California, Arizona and Qatar, plans further growth in Dubai, Ohio and Texas.
Leadership moves include Lena Garvey taking on the role of energy compliance and contracts analyst at the Orange County Power Authority, a not-for-profit energy provider. Garvey previously served as risk management and contracts analyst at San Jose Clean Energy in Northern California.
On the philanthropy front, The Collaborative to End Human Trafficking announced its first round of grants totaling $87,000 to five local organizations working to combat human trafficking in Orange County. Recipients included International Sanctuary, The Salvation Army Orange County, Radiant Futures, EverFree and I-5 Freedom Network, with CEHT noting the strong community need for continued investment to prevent trafficking.
Community spirit was also highlighted by the fifth annual Festival of Chefs for KidWorks, which raised about $900,000 for the Santa Ana-based nonprofit. The event at the Newport Beach Country Club showcased more than 60 local restaurants and food providers, supporting KidWorks programs that help students in under-resourced neighborhoods become leaders in and out of the classroom. Since its launch in 2021, festival fundraisers have raised nearly $5 million for KidWorks.
Status Update is compiled and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to sgowen@scng.com. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.