It was quite a surprise when Spa at the Glen at Brea Mall closed its doors.
The reason? According to its website, its lease was not renewed by mall owner Simon. That’s too bad, especially for those of us who still have Spa at the Glen gift cards.
But its website also states it is definitely reopening Summer 2024 somewhere in “the Brea community,” and when they do they will honor gift cards and memberships.
Recently there were rumors that Spa at the Glen would move into the former Ruby’s Diner at Birch Street and Brea Boulevard. Property owner Dwight Manley hasn’t revealed what is going into that spot, but it seems unlikely that Spa at the Glen would go in there due to the extreme renovations needed to transform the space from a restaurant to a spa with a sauna, steam room, pool, massage rooms and other amenities.
But, look how the former Tower Records building was completely transformed into the mega UFC gym.
Did you know an Eddie Bauer Outlet was once in the former Ruby’s spot?
“Eddie Bauer Outlet opened in December 2000,” said Linda Shay, executive director and curator of the Brea Museum. “It was part of Phase I of the Downtown Redevelopment Project.”
Could Eddie come back to that corner? There’s more a chance of me growing taller than old Eddie coming back, but who knows?
One popular Brea restaurant that was expected to reopen is Corazon Modern Kitchen on Brea Boulevard. It applied for a conditional use permit, or CUP, to upgrade its alcohol license. Brea City Planner Joanne Hwang said it is to expand the onsite alcohol sales. The Planning Commission is tentatively scheduled to review the application on April 23.
However, I received a surprising email message from Fernando Romero, Corazon owner and chef, who said, “Corazon won’t be reopening in its last location. We are looking to relocate and when we do, I will let you know.”
Perhaps the reason he applied for the extended CUP was because he plans to relocate in Brea. Stay tuned.
Jorge Cueva, or Mr. Tempo as he likes to be called, now owns the former Taps property at Brea Boulevard and Imperial Highway. He said in a recent Orange County Register story that they would be closing their Tempo Cantina on Imperial Highway in Brea in May or June and move into the former Taps location.
He plans four eateries for the building: a steakhouse, a Mexican restaurant, a sushi restaurant and a fish market. Sounds interesting, but when will they get it started?
According to Jason Kilibrew, Brea’s community development director, Tempo Cantina has not yet applied for a conditional use permit for alcohol sales. Permits for renovating the building are also needed. It might be a while before we see any changes on the corner.
If you miss Taps Fish House & Brewery, you can again enjoy its great cuisine at John Wayne Airport, Terminal C. The Taps name, intellectual properties and recipes, were purchased by Mission Yogurt Inc., headquartered in Westminster, which operates the new Taps at the airport, according Ryan Robertson, formerly Taps culinary chef who is head culinary chef at the new Taps that opened in February.
So if you are craving some of your Taps favorites like the Brewer’s Fish & Chips, head to John Wayne Airport.
Besides Taps at John Wayne International Airport, Mission Yogurt owns and operates a variety of restaurants in the San Diego International Airport, Denver International Airport and a non-airport restaurant also in Denver.
If you still have an old Taps gift card, use it for a bookmark because it is worthless at the new Taps. Gift cards don’t expire in California, but too often restaurants do.
Terri Daxon is a freelance writer and the owner of Daxon Marketing Communications. She gives her perspective on Brea issues twice a month. Contact her at daxoncomm@gmail.com.
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