Hello Back Bay Borboletas, happy Friday!
What a unseasonably warm week that was. The weather is cooling down slightly as we head into the weekend and prepare for our Easter plans. Time to detox from our St. Patrick’s Day week and cold plunge our way to absolution for breaking Lent (again).
To our new readers—welcome! The Back Bay Buzz delivers just the right amount of news and events for locals in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. No crime, no politics, no spam—just the good stuff. We scan newspapers, blogs, social media, business journals, and Google alerts so you don’t have to.
In today’s Buzz:
Erewhon is definitely maybe coming to 17th
Redo Vintage Market at the Fairgrounds
Spring Equinox at the Camp
— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz
Erewhon is Allegedly Opening on 17th St in Costa Mesa
“We have Hailey Bieber Smoothies at home…”
Upscale Los Angeles grocery chain Erewhon has reportedly signed a lease to open its first Orange County location at the site currently occupied by T-Shirts Warehouse (often referred to as the T-shirt factory) on 17th Street in Costa Mesa. The planned store will occupy the space at 140 E 17th St, situated directly behind the upcoming Bear Flag Fish Co location. In addition to taking over the T-shirt warehouse, Erewhon is expected to also occupy the adjacent space formerly used by “The 12” gym. The gym is reportedly relocating to a former UFC gym site on Harbor Blvd to accommodate the expansion. While Erewhon has not officially announced it, the new lease has been reported by several local realtors/influencers (here, here and here) so it must be true.
This marks Erewhon's official entry into the Orange County market. The move is part of a broader Southern California expansion that includes upcoming stores in Glendale (May 2026), Thousand Oaks (July 2026), and a second West Hollywood location. While residents wait for the full-sized Erewhon, Birdies Bodega (located within Sections Fine Meats on 17th Street) currently offers organic market options and healthy grab-and-go items, often compared to a "mini Erewhon" by local patrons.
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“There’s no crying on the Duffy”
Spring Equinox - The Lab
Live music, good vibes
Friday Mar 20th
4-8pmSouthern Edge Sailing & Surf Film Showing - Daydream Surf Shop
Exploration of Tasmania, 50% of ticket sales donated to Surfrider Foundation
Saturday Mar 21st
6pm
InfoREDO Vintage Market - OC Fairgrounds
Fri-Sat Mar 20th-21
4pm-9pm, 9am-4pm
InfoPark Habitat Restoration Days in Costa Mesa
Saturday, 21 March
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Info
UPCOMING:
Newport Needlepoint Club Meetup - Newport Needlepoint
“2026 is the year for Grandma hobbies”
Tuesdays 6-8pm
InfoTrivia Night - Bootlegger’s Brewery
Tuesdays 7-9pm
DirectionsFree Yoga Class - Seed Peoples Market
Wednesdays @ 10am
InfoBaby Goat Yoga - Tanaka Farms
Saturdays 10am (Hana Field)
InfoSUP Yoga - Patrol Beach NB
hosted by Ekam Yoga & Pilates
Sat Mar 28th
10-11:30pm
InfoBig Boat Show (NBIBS) - Lido Village
April 16th-19th
InfoRecord Store Day - Various Locations
Saturday Apr 18th
Check out all locations in The Back Bay Map RoomAirIWater Porsche Lifestyle Event - OC Fairgrounds
Saturday Apr 25th
9am-3pm
TicketsSongs in the Canyon - Canyon Park (Costa Mesa)
June 12-14
Info
WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH OC?
Check out our great partner newsletter:
water is heating up…
🌊 Water temp = 64º
Suit Rec: Spring suit/Full suit 3/2
THIS WEEKEND:
REDO Market in Costa Mesa
Friday-Saturday, 20-21 March
4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
InfoBaby Goat Storytime - Hana Field (CM)
Fridays (Month of March)
10:30am Fridays, 1:30pm Saturdays
InfoEaster Carousel and Crafts ($2-$9) at South Coast Plaza
Friday, 20 March
InfoStroller Sculpt Class at Lido Marina Village in Newport Beach ($15-$30)
Saturday, 21 March
9:30 am - 10:30 am
TicketsPark Habitat Restoration Days in Costa Mesa
Saturday, 21 March
9:00 am - 10:00 am
InfoHoppin With Bluey (Dreamers Market) - Bella Terra (we knowww)
Saturday Mar 21st
12-4pm
InfoArt on the Wild Side: Rivian Kids - Laguna Beach
Saturday Mar 21st
10am-11am
InfoBoots, Blooms and Bunny Ears - Fashion Island (Macy’s Lawn)
Sunday Mar 22
11am-2pm
InfoFREE Beach Bunny Photo Shoot at Newport Beach Pier
Sunday, 22 March
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Info
Plan Ahead:
Park Habitat Restoration Days in Costa Mesa
Saturday, 21 March
9:00 am - 10:00 am
infoCritter investigations - Upper Newport Bay
3rd Wednesday of each month
10-11am
InfoStem Workshop - Carters x Kiwi Co. (Tustin Market Place)
Second Saturday of Every Month
10am -12pm
RSVPOC Uke Fest - Campus Jax
Sunday Mar 22nd
InfoSpringfest: A Pirate Adventure - Lions Park
Treasure Egg Hunt
Saturday Apr 4th
10-2pm
InfoEarth Day Fest - OC Fairgrounds
Saturday Apr 18th
Farmers Markets 🥬🥕:
Newport Pier Farmer’s Market
Costa Mesa - SOCO (Saturdays 9-2)
Corona Del Mar - PCH & Marguerite (Saturdays 9-1)
Newport Beach - Newport Pier (Sundays 9-1)
Newport Harbor - Dover Dr & 16th St (Saturdays 9am-1pm) Launching Spring 2026
🌴 Costa Mesa
Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor is trying to figure out how to use a teleprompter…
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!
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