After a $4 million makeover, the District at Tustin Legacy is ready to bring in some new tenants, including a handful of restaurants.

The renovation at the mall, which debuted in 2007, included new paint on the building facades and a refresh for common areas using artificial turf and soft-seating.

Here’s a look at the lineup of new eats due this summer and beyond …

Rakkan Ramen will open its first Orange County location at the shopping center along Jamboree Road. The Japanese restaurant is due in late summer and specializes in ramen made from a plant-based broth using mushrooms and kelp.

Yomie’s Rice X Yogurt is also due this summer and will offer a menu of purple rice and fresh yogurt smoothie drinks. The Australian brand touts itself as a healthier alternative to boba tea.

By fall, the District also will be home to Two Hands Corn Dogs, Korean-style street corn dogs. Its menu features whimsical corn dogs like the Crispy Rice Dog with crispy rice puffs and the Two Hands Dog with sweet ranch sauce. The Spicy Dog is covered in Hot Cheetos Powder and spicy sauce.

Other additions in the past year include Fast Hot Pot (hot and spicey and customizable Sichuan Mala-Tang hot pots), Casa Del Sol (full-service Mexican fare with live mariachi music).

Address: 2437 Park Ave., Tustin (by the blimp hangars)

Sephora at Kohl’s has opened at the retail store in Beaumont. The beauty chain is taking over makeup and other products for Kohl’s. (Courtesy of Kohl’s)

Sephora debuts this week at 2 local Kohl’s

Two local Kohl’s stores will debut Sephora boutiques this Friday.

The stores in Whittier (15602 Whittwood Lane) and Tustin (18182 Irvine Blvd.) are part of a nationwide collaboration between the two retailers as shopping habits continue to evolve in a pandemic economy.

Sephora at Kohl’s is estimating it will have boutiques inside 850 stores goal by 2023.

The 2,500-square-foot store-in-store looks like a smaller version of the traditional Sephora, stocking makeup, skincare, hair and fragrance brands.

Amtrak passengers can now bring dogs and cats weighing up to 20 pounds onboard the Surfliner. (Courtesy of Amtrak)

Fido and his pal Fiona can ride Amtrak now

Attention all small dogs and cats. Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner has a spot on the train for you.

In a nod to America’s passion for traveling with their pets, passengers can now bring dogs and cats weighing up to 20 pounds onboard the Surfliner. The fur-filled venture, which launched May 20, is not free. A ticket for each pet costs $26 or 800 Amtrak Guest Reward points.

“We’re always looking for ways to better serve the needs of our passengers, and allowing pets to come along for the ride is something our customers have expressed a strong interest in,” Jason Jewell, interim managing director of the LOSSAN Agency, said in a statement. “This pet program will provide more options for our customers in a way that will be safe and convenient, and we’re thrilled to introduce it ahead of the summer travel season.”

Amtrak’s pet policy limits the number of pet reservations per train. Each customer is limited to one pet reservation per trip, the agency said said.

Pets, stashed in carriers under seats, are allowed in all cars, except for business class and the café car. Service animals ride free.

All Amtrak customers have to sign a “Pet Release and Indemnification Agreement” for each travel leg.

For more details on the pet policy, go to pacificsurfliner.com/onboard/pets.

Four scholarships are available to graduating Class of 2022 LGBTQIA seniors, funded by PFLAG Newport Beach. (iStockphoto)

Scholarships available

PFLAG Newport Beach will be awarding up to four scholarships to graduating Class of 2022 LGBTQIA seniors.

Each scholarship, in the amount of $500, will be given to recipients who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex or straight ally and are continuing in higher education.

Applicants must have a 2.0 minimum grade point average and live in Orange County. Applications must be received by email no later than June 15.  Decisions will be announced July 7 and recipients will be invited to an award ceremony that will take place July 21.

The awards are made possible by donations by the Blaze Bernstein Memorial Fund/#BlazeItForward and local resident Carrie Williams Freitas.

For more information and the application, go to pflagnewportbeach.org/scholarship-opportunities

On the move

Lianna Orlando has been promoted to vice president of research at CureDuchenne and Bradley Hodges is a new partner of CureDuchenne Ventures in Newport Beach. Orlando, who joined the nonprofit in 2019 as senior director of research, will continue to help identify and advise on scientific innovations and Duchenne research investments. Hodges, the founder of Prothelia, will support and expand CureDuchenne’s research investments. The nonprofit is focused on finding and funding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

On board

The Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona Del Mar has appointed James “Walkie” Ray and Peter Rooney to The Sherman Foundation Board of Trustees. The nonprofit serves as a cultural center for inspiration, education and appreciation of regional history through horticulture, art, year-round educational programs, and seasonal exhibits. Address: 2647 E. Coast Hwy.

Estrella Rivera, center, holds a $10,000 scholarship check from the Taco Bell Foundation. Accompanying her are Raj Patel, standing, back-right, a local Taco Bell franchise owner who is part of the foundation’s grants committee that selects scholarship winners. In the front row are Estrella Rivera’s dad, mom, sister and brother. (Courtesy of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast )

Tacos, a scholarship and college ahead

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast on May 3 threw a Taco Bell Food Truck party for 200-plus children and their parents.

The party was held to celebrate high school senior Estrella Rivera, who received a $10,000 Live Más Scholarship from the Taco Bell Foundation.

The scholarship will help Rivera pursue a college degree in engineering. She was one of 150 students high school grads this year participating in the Boys & Girls Club’s College Bound program.

Status Update is compiled from press releases by contributing writer Karen Levin and edited by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to [email protected]. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.

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