🗿 New Trader Joe's Coming to Costa Mesa?

Hello Back Bay Bebes, happy Monday.

We hope you had a great weekend of popups, picnics and sunset DJ sessions. It was warmer than they said it was going to be, with no-sky-July turning a corner into some-sky-July. The week ahead is quieter now that the 4th of July crowds have cleared out, but there is still lots to do.

To the 100-ish readers that joined us since last send, welcome! 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.

In today’s Buzz:

• New Trader Joes coming to Harbor and Victoria?

• Back Bay Art Fest Kicks Off

• OC Fair Begins this week

• Great Week for Wine lovers

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

New Trader Joes May be Coming to Harbor Blvd

While no official confirmation has come yet (we scoured local building permits and new store announcements), it seems that the we may be getting a 2nd Trader Joe’s location at Harbor and Victoria. According to a post by @CostaMesaDave, the space will be a split collaboration with Dollar Tree, which will be moving its location from the Fairview store next to the post office. The stores will be taking the place of the defunct 99¢ Store that was built in 1973, originally a grocery store. Construction is slated to be complete the first quarter of 2026. While the parking lot is larger than the 17th street Trader Joe’s location, we assume it will be equally hard to navigate, in keeping with Trader Joe’s tradition.

Back Bay Art Festival Kicks Off

The 18th Annual Back Bay Plein Air Art Festival is underway in Newport Beach, celebrating California’s natural beauty through open-air painting. Running through July 20 at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, the week-long event invites the public to explore original works created in the plein air tradition—painted outdoors to capture the light and landscape in real time. Hosted by the Southern California Plein Air Painters Assn., Newport Bay Conservancy, and OC Parks, the festival features art classes, hundreds of paintings for sale, and a juried show highlighting local parks. It kicked off Saturday with a “Quick Draw” competition and continues with a full schedule of exhibits and events. A portion of proceeds supports conservation efforts at the Back Bay, where the festival is set against the backdrop of one of Orange County’s most scenic coastal preserves. We tried to come up with a witty pun involving the word “plein”, but it was impossible.

THIS WEEK:

• Sake & Tapas - Hi-Time Wine Cellars
  “Join us for an evening of curated Sake and Tapas pairings by world-famous artisanal sake producer, Tedorigawa.
  Wednesday July 16th Seatings 5pm and 7pm
  Info

• Try It Tuesdays - Hi-Time Wine Cellars (CM)
  “Gather round the wine bar to sip and savor a 6-bottle lineup of random deliciousness ($20/person)
  Tuesdays, 5-7pm
  Info

• OSOY Candlemaking Workshop - Semi Tropic Wines
  Sold out, but still a good excuse to have a glass of wine and see what all the fuss is about. Wed July 16th 6-9pm
  Info

• Shakes & Giggles Comedy Show - The Straw (1215 Baker St A, Costa Mesa)
  Thurs July 17th 9:30pm
  Info

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

• Sunset Sessions: Coast Red - Milligram Costa Mesa
  Friday, July 18th Live DJ from 5:30pm-7:30pm
  Info

UPCOMING:

• ModRef Sample Sale - The Lab
  Vintage, baked goods, accessories
  Sat-Sun July 19th-20th
  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

• Paint Night - Wild Goose Tavern
  Tues July 22nd 6-8pm

• Good Boy’s Social Club Wine Event - Third Place Wine Bar
  “Entry for you, and one well-behaved pup– A free glass of wine, beer, or non-alcoholic beverage– Access to a laid-back, dog-friendly community”
  Wed July 23rd 6-9pm
  RSVP

• Native Newport Classic Annual Volleyball Tourny - Newport Beach (tower TBD)
  Sat July 26th
  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

• Summer Garden Party - Sherman Gardens
  Sat Aug 9th 4-7pm
  Info

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

• Pacific Wine and Food Classic - Newport Dunes
  Sat Sep 20th 1pm-5pm
  Tickets

Monday
64🌡️ 71 I 🌤️ I 9% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ SW 10mph

Tuesday
64🌡️ 70 I 🌤️ I 8% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ SSW 10mph

Wednesday
64🌡️ 72 I 🌤️ I 6% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ SSW 10mph

Thursday
64🌡️ 73I 🌤️ I 6% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ SW 10mph

Friday
64🌡️ 73 I ☀️ I 6% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ WSW 11mph

🌊 Water temp = 65º
Suit Rec: Summer suit

THIS WEEK:

• Concerts in The Park - Flashback Heart Attack - Fairview Park Costa Mesa
  Tuesday July 15th 6pm-7pm
  Info

• 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

• Design a Book Bag at Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library
  Wednesday, 16 July

  1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
  Info

• 3rd Thursdays in Corona Del Mar
  Live music, art exhibits, creative workshops, family/pet friendly
  Thursday, 17 July

  5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  Info

• Popsicles & Games in the Park in Costa Mesa - Del Mesa Park
  Thursday, 17 July

  6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
  Info

• Little Lido Kids Club: Music Class with Magic Steps
  Thurs July 17th 10:30-11:15
  RSVP

• Dive-In Movie Night (Lilo & Stitch) - Downtown Aquatic Center (Costa Mesa)
  Friday July 18th 7:30-9:30pm
  Info

PLAN AHEAD:

• Free Pilates with Vuori at Irvine Spectrum
  Saturday, 19 July

  8:45 am - 9:45 am
  Info

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

  11:30 am - 12:00 pm
  Info

• Corona Del Mar Songs and Stories - CDM Branch Library
  Thursday, 24 July

  10:30 am - 11:00 am
  Info
  

• Kyle Tiernan's Draw Along Art Workshop in Corona Del Mar
  Saturday, 26 July

  11:00 am - 12:00 pm
  Info

🎶 Costa Mesa – July 14–18, 2025

• Comedy Night – The Harp Inn – Monday, July 14, 7:00 PM

• Andy Bender with Gantez - Wayfarer - Monday July 14th, 8pm

• Pub Quiz Trivia – The Harp Inn – Wednesday, July 16, 7:00 PM

• Turbulence - Wayfarer - Wed July 16th 8pm

• Tastee Nuggz – The Harp Inn – Friday, July 18, 8:00 PM

• W U B – Tiki Bar – Friday, July 18, 7:00 PM

• George ThoroGood and The Destroyers - Pacific Amphitheatre (OC Fairgrounds)
  Fri July 18th Doors 6:15pm - Info

🎶 Newport Beach – July 14–18, 2025

• Dan Olivo & His Lil Big Band – Campus JAX – Thursday, July 17, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

• Zach Churchill – Lido Marina Village (Lido Deck) – Thursday, July 17, 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

• Led Zepplica - Led Zeppelin Tribute - The Hangar (OC FAIR)
  Fri July 25th doors 7:15pm - Tickets

• Dispatch, John Butler with Band - Pacific Amphitheatre
  Sat July 26th Doors 4:30pm - Tickets

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

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

• Oliver Anthony - Pacific Amphitheatre
  Fri August 1 Doors 6:30pm - Tickets

• Ludacris, Ying Yang Twins - Pacific Amphitheatre
  Thurs August 7th Doors 6:30pm - Tickets

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor thought orange wine was non-alcoholic. He’s a lightweight.

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