If you are relatively new to Brea, you probably haven’t heard of Wayne Wedin, who has quite a history here.
He describes much of it in his recently published book, “The Brea Dividend,” written by Wedin with author Lisa Woolery.
It is available at the Brea Museum, on Amazon and soon at Barnes and Noble, said Woolery.
Wedin recalls in his book how, in 1968 at age 28, he became Brea’s city administrator. The title later changed to city manager.
When interviewed by the City Council, he was asked one important question: “Can you get us a regional mall?” He replied, “Absolutely!”
He was hired, and set out to bring a regional mall to Brea.
Besides being Brea’s city manager for 15 years, Wedin was elected to the Brea City Council for four years, where he served as mayor for one. Wedin was a main force that put Brea on the map to grow, and not just grow old.
When Wedin became city administrator, Homart, part of the Sears Corporation, wanted to bring a regional mall to North Orange County. So Wedin worked with them to bring the mall to Brea. They knew the 57 Freeway would eventually be built through North Orange County. It would be vital for a regional mall to be freeway close.
The ideal spot for the mall was oil property owned by Union Oil, and they were not anxious to sell. After many meetings, Wedin and Councilman Bob Clark had a long meeting with Union Oil’s real estate executive, and Union Oil finally agreed to sell Brea the 125 acres. It was purchased by Brea’s redevelopment agency that also funded redevelopment of Brea’s downtown.
Wedin and Councilman Don Fox made trips to Homart’s Chicago headquarters to obtain a partnership agreement and negotiations continued. On one trip, Wedin wrote, Fox and Homart’s president took a long walk, after much discussion, they shook hands and a deal was made. Quite different than how things might go today.
Besides bringing a regional mall to Brea, Wedin wanted it to include Nordstrom, and Homart agreed. It was all part of his vision of the mall and the catalyst to make Brea grow, and not grow old.
A unique addition to the mall was an ice skating rink, located where the food court is now. In the book, Wedin explains how a skating rink became part of the new mall. He wrote that Homart wanted the mall to be more than stores, but a destination. The rink, he wrote, was a spot where parents could drop off the kids to skate while the parents shopped in the mall.
Today, the Brea Mall, owned and operated by Simon Property Group, now includes Check n’Play, where parents can go shopping while their kids partake in educational and fun activities while supervised by the trained staff.
The Simon Brea Mall, with approximately 180 shops and restaurants, includes several surrounding “Sunset Green” a new outdoor area, plus the Lifetime Athletic, a fitness club.
And they are not done. Now under construction near the south edge of mall is AMLI, Brea. It is an 8-story, 378-unit luxury apartment building above an 885-space parking structure. Don’t get too excited, shoppers and diners. Just 292 of those spaces are for you. AMLI Brea expects to open in 2028.
The Brea Mall has come a long way since its beginnings in 1977.
The mall has spurred more shopping opportunities in Brea, including BOSC Partners’ Brea Plaza at Imperial Highway and the 57 Freeway.
Come to its “Bash on Brea Plaza” from 4 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 8 and celebrate the center’s huge reopening.
It starts with a Brea Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting, a scavenger hunt, giveaways and much more from Brea Plaza’s 135 shops and restaurants.
Where to shop? Brea, of course!
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.