🌊 Luxury Lightbulbs, Gelson Superchargers, Fish Frys.

Hello Back Bay crew, Happy Friday!

If you are new here, The Back Bay Buzz is dedicated to bringing you just the right amount of news and events for locals of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. No crime, politics, spam or boring stuff. We comb through newspapers, blogs, social media google alerts and business journals for the best and latest so you don’t have to.

Business is picking up in Costa Mesa, with lots of ground breakings and grand openings (anyone make it to the new Rye Goods yet?) happening now. We were sorry to hear that Hana re lost its Michelin star and we are still waiting to hear confirmation from Erewhon on their (alleged) new location at Westcliff. Lots to do this weekend as we prep for July 4th and hard launch into Summer Proper.

In today’s Buzz:

• Luxury Lightbulb Showroom Opens (we know, we said the same thing)

• Gelson’s Supercharger breaks ground in CM

• Stricklands Ice Cream Hits 1 year

• Fish Fry

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

Luxury Showroom Opens in Prime Spot on 17th & Newport Blvd

LightStyles + Builders Source Appliance Gallery has opened a new showroom at 101 E. 17th Street, featuring high-end appliances, lighting, and kitchen and bath fixtures from brands like Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Visual Comfort. Tailored for homeowners, designers, and builders, the space offers personalized design consultations and expert guidance. How boring.

🔗 Rove breaks ground on 2nd ‘full-service’ EV charger, this time in Costa Mesa, CA

You have gas and a 7-Eleven, we have superchargers and Gelson’s, we are not the same. Rove has broken ground on a full-service EV charging center at 2666 Harbor Blvd in Costa Mesa, set to open this fall. The site will feature 40 fast-charging stalls, a 24/7 lounge with restrooms, free Wi-Fi, shaded solar canopies, and a mini grocery by Gelson’s (of course). It’s Rove’s second location, part of a broader expansion across Southern California.

🔗 Strickland’s Marks One-Year Anniversary in Costa Mesa

Strickland’s Ice Cream, an Akron-born “frozen custard” brand established in 1936, is celebrating its first year in Costa Mesa’s Courtyards at 1835 Newport Blvd. The shop—revived by Orange County enthusiast Neil Liu after the beloved Irvine location closed—serves ultra-creamy, small-batch ice cream made daily in vintage 1930s machines. The flavor lineup remains playful and diverse, featuring daily rotating “Flavor of the Day” selections like Nutella Chip, Sweet Red Bean, Dubai Taro, Reese’s Cup, Snickers, and Fresh Banana. Weekly promotions include Milkshake Mondays (free upsizing from 3–7 p.m.). The shop relies on premium ingredients—real fruit, nuts, high-quality dairy—and has become a local favorite, also earning praise as a top milkshake spot in OC.

—WHAT TO DO—

• Lions Club 76th Annual Fish Fry - Lions Park
  Carnival games, live music, lots of 🐟️ 
  June 28-30th
  Info

• Sip & Stroll - ENC x Hi-Time Wine Cellars
  “Wander through the lush trails of the ENC while sampling wines from over a dozen top-tier wineries…”
  Sat June 28th 4-7pm
  Info

• Sip and Roll - Kickstand Dirty Soda Popup @ Priemere 7 Car Wash
  “The Kickstand finally got new cups and we are here for it.”
  Fri June 27th 11am
  Info

• MAUM Market - OC Museum of Art
  “Come stroll through the art, shop small, make a collage, and enjoy a sunny day in Costa Mesa”
  Sat June 28th 11am-5pm
  Info

• Star Craft Workshop - The Lab
  Sat June 28th 11am-2pm
  Info

• Live Lavender Demonstrations - Rogers Gardens
  Sat - Sun June 6-29th 11am-2pm
  Info

• 58th Annual Art Exhibition in Newport Beach
  Saturday, June 28th

  1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
  Info

• Dog Days at Hana Field - Tanaka Farms (Costa Mesa)
  Sat June 28th 10am-4pm
  Info

• Farmers Market 🥕 on the Pier in Newport Beach
  Sunday, 29 June

  9:00 am - 1:00 pm
  Info

UPCOMING:

• Neat at Night - Neat Coffee
  Burgers by AhbA, Mama Mia will be showing at dusk (BYO lawn chair)
  Monday June 30th 6pm
  Info

• Salty Bear x AHBA - Salty Bear Brewing (Wednesdays)
  $1 off beer with burger purchase, double wagyu smash (that was my nickname in high school)
  Every Wednesday
  Info

• Bike Parade & Community Fest - Newport Peninsula
  Friday July 4th
  Info

• Old Glory Boat Parade - American Legion Yacht Club
  Friday July 4th 1pm
  Info

• Love Island Watch Party - Helmsman Alehouse
  Hosted by Newps Social (“the first social club for females in their 20s”)
  Thur July 10th 6-8pm
  Info
  

• OC Fair Begins - OC Fairgrounds
  July 18th-Aug 17th
  Info

• Meals on Wheels Pickleball Bash Tournament - The Tennis & Pickleball Club
  Proceeds will support Meals on Wheels Orange County’s nutrition, socialization, and wrap-around services - Sat July 19th 1-4pm
  Info

• Sterling Silver Ring Making Workshop - Methra (Costa Mesa)
  Sat July 26th - Info

• Calling All Artists 🎨 : Apply to Costa Mesa’s annual juried art exhibition - Deadline: July 28th - Info

• Fun Run 5k 🏃 - OC Fairgrounds - Aug 10th 8am - Register

Friday
62🌡️ 73 I 🌤️ I 12% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ SSW 9mph

Saturday
61🌡️ 75 I 🌤️ I 8% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ SW 10mph

Sunday
62🌡️ 74 I 🌤️ I 7% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ WSW 11mph

🌊 Water temp = 67º
Suit Rec: Summer Suit

THIS WEEKEND:

• Postpartum Support Group in Newport Beach
  Friday, 27 June

  10:00 am - 11:00 am
  Info

• Rise and Shine Breakfast at Tanaka Farms (Free Farm Admission & Tractor Ride w/ Breakfast Purchase)
  Saturday, 28 June

  7:30 am - 11am
  Info
  

• Lions Club 76th Annual Fish Fry - Lions Park
  Carnival games, live music, lots of 🐟️ 
  June 28-30th
  Info

• Star Wars Day at the OC Zoo
  Saturday, 28 June

  10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  Info

• Art Exhibition in Newport Beach
  Saturday, 28 June

  1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
  Info

• Farmers Market on the Pier in Newport Beach
  Sunday, 29 June

  9:00 am - 1:00 pm
  Info

PLAN AHEAD:

• Kids Paddle Camp - Pirate Coast Paddle Board Rentals
  Campers will learn the basics of stand up paddle boarding, learn new skills and participate in water activities.
  July 14-18th
  Sign Up

• Barnes and Noble Storytime at Fashion Island
  Saturday, 19 July

  11:30 am - 12:00 pm
  Info

THIS WEEKEND:

🎶 Costa Mesa – June 27–29, 2025

• Lady Friar (Album Release Party) – The Harp Inn – Friday, June 27, 7:00 PM – 11:50 PM

• Cobblestone Ramblers – The Harp Inn – Saturday, June 28, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

• Led Hot Fighter Pilots – The Harp Inn – Saturday, June 28, 9:00 PM – 12:30 AM

• Grateful Dads - Wayfarer - Saturday, June 28th 8-11pm

• The Slimtones – The Harp Inn – Sunday, June 29, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

• Dread Kennedy – Tiki Bar – Friday, June 27, 7:00 PM

• Satisfaction (Rolling Stones Tribute) – Tiki Bar – Saturday, June 28, 7:00 PM

• Tom Henry, Nico Bones, Bounce House – The Wayfarer – Sunday, June 29, 7pm-9:30pm

🎶 Newport Beach – June 27–29, 2025

• Brian Barrett Band - The Quiet Woman - Thurs-Sat 9pm-12am

• Zach Churchill – Lido Marina Village (Lido Deck) – Friday, June 27, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

• Alex Maes – Lido Marina Village (Lido Deck) – Saturday, June 28, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

🎵 ⏩️ PLAN AHEAD:

• Jimmys Buffet - The Hangar (OC FAIR) - July 20th 7:15 - Tickets

• Fitz and The Tantrums + Aloe Blacc - Pacific Ampitheater - July 25th - 6:30pm - Tickets

• Ellis Bullard - Wayfarer Fri 7/18 7pm - Info

• BECK - Pacific Ampitheatre - Wed 7/30 7:30pm - Tickets

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor is using the weighted blanket he bought to comfort the office golden retriever from fireworks on himself.

PS: Feel free to let me know any feedback or inside scoops you have for the newsletter. Just reply to this email, I read every one. Thanks!