{"id":160563,"date":"2026-02-02T18:21:49","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T18:21:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/160563\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T18:21:49","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T18:21:49","slug":"kids-play-cafe-new-at-brea-mall-warby-parker-opens-in-laguna-niguel-orange-county-register","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/160563\/","title":{"rendered":"Kids play cafe new at Brea Mall; Warby Parker opens in Laguna Niguel \u2013 Orange County Register"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Check<\/p>\n

Check N\u2019 Play is open at Brea Mall. The pay-to-play space was created by Steffanie Balsells Najera to be a safe, \u201cscreen-free play caf\u00e9\u201d for children under the age of 6. Located on the upper level across from Zara Man, the play cafe is Balsells Najera\u2019s first. (Photo courtesy of Francis Aldana, f\/a photography + creative)\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The pay-to-play cafe Check N\u2019 Play opened Jan. 28 at the Brea Mall. The business model was created by Steffanie Balsells Najera to be a safe, \u201cscreen-free play caf\u00e9\u201d for children under the age of 6. The cafe has a number of attendant-monitored play zones for children, plus an actual cafe for parents. (Photo courtesy of Check N\u2019 Play)\n<\/p>\n

\"Check<\/p>\n

Check N\u2019 Play is open at Brea Mall. The pay-to-play space was created by Steffanie Balsells Najera to be a safe, \u201cscreen-free play caf\u00e9\u201d for children under the age of 6. Located on the upper level across from Zara Man, the play cafe is Balsells Najera\u2019s first. (Photo courtesy of Francis Aldana, f\/a photography + creative)\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The pay-to-play cafe Check N\u2019 Play opened Jan. 28 at the Brea Mall. The business model was created by Steffanie Balsells Najera to be a safe, \u201cscreen-free play caf\u00e9\u201d for children under the age of 6. The cafe has a number of attendant-monitored play zones for children, plus an actual cafe for parents. (Photo courtesy of Check N\u2019 Play)\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The pay-to-play cafe Check N\u2019 Play opened Jan. 28 at the Brea Mall. The business model was created by Steffanie Balsells Najera to be a safe, \u201cscreen-free play caf\u00e9\u201d for children under the age of 6. The cafe has a number of attendant-monitored play zones for children, plus an actual cafe for parents. (Photo courtesy of Check N\u2019 Play)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 5<\/p>\n

Check N\u2019 Play is open at Brea Mall. The pay-to-play space was created by Steffanie Balsells Najera to be a safe, \u201cscreen-free play caf\u00e9\u201d for children under the age of 6. Located on the upper level across from Zara Man, the play cafe is Balsells Najera\u2019s first. (Photo courtesy of Francis Aldana, f\/a photography + creative)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

A pay-to-play space for children is open at the Brea Mall.<\/p>\n

Check N\u2019 Play, which opened Jan. 28, was created by Steffanie Balsells Najera to be a safe, \u201cscreen-free play cafe\u201d for children under the age of 6. It\u2019s located on the mall\u2019s upper level across from Zara Man.<\/p>\n

The 6,000-square-foot play cafe is \u201cbest suited for confident walkers,\u201d according to Balsells Najera. Attendants are situated at all play zones, so parents of fully potty-trained children can sit at the on-site cafe where coffee and tea are offered for sale.<\/p>\n

Those zones include a pretend-play village, dress-up and stage area, multilevel play structure, an interactive wall, and arts and crafts. Space also can be reserved for parties.<\/p>\n

Check N\u2019 Play charges $30 for a child and adult for a two-hour \u201cfacilitated\u201d session. Siblings cost an additional $24 for the session, and additional adults in the party cost $10 each. Membership plans are available.<\/p>\n

For more information, go to checknplay.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Warby<\/p>\n

Warby Parker opened Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Aliso Village shopping center in Laguna Niguel, the 35th location in California for the company. (Photo courtesy of Warby Parker)\n<\/p>\n

\"Warby<\/p>\n

Warby Parker opened Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Aliso Village shopping center in Laguna Niguel, the 35th location in California for the company. (Photo courtesy of Warby Parker)\n<\/p>\n

\"Warby<\/p>\n

Warby Parker opened Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Aliso Village shopping center in Laguna Niguel, the 35th location in California for the company. (Photo courtesy of Warby Parker)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 3<\/p>\n

Warby Parker opened Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Aliso Village shopping center in Laguna Niguel, the 35th location in California for the company. (Photo courtesy of Warby Parker)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a>
\nWarby Parker opens in Laguna Niguel<\/p>\n

Warby Parker opens Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Aliso Village shopping center in Laguna Niguel.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the 35th location for the eyewear company, which touts a wide selection of frames for those of us who are visually challenged. Warby Parker got its start online, when direct-to-consumer retailers were avoiding brick-and-mortar leases. Today, that model has flipped back to in-store experiences. The company now touts some 250 retail locations.<\/p>\n

The Laguna Niguel store features a lineup of regular optical and sunglass options, frames for kids ages 4-8, third-party contact lenses and accessories. Customers can have eye exams in the store as well.<\/p>\n

Warby Parker customers can use their vision insurance to pay for frames, lenses and eye exams. The company has an online insurance checker<\/a> to verify accepted insurance programs. You can also use Flex and Health Spending Accounts at the cash register.<\/p>\n

Address: 23882 Aliso Creek Road<\/p>\n

\"Tyler<\/p>\n

Tyler Hales, the \u201cbowtie dentist\u201d known for working the pearly whites of TV personalities Vicki Gunvalson, Faye Resnick and Slade Smiley, has opened a practice in Corona Del Mar. The dental boutique sits above the Sugarfish sushi restaurant, not far from Fashion Island. (Photo courtesy of Troy Jensen)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dentist<\/p>\n

Dentist Tyler Hales has opened Hales Aesthetic in Corona Del Mar. The dental boutique, which he touts as much more than just a dentist\u2019s office, is not far from Fashion Island. Address: 2600 East Coast Hwy, Suite 260. (Photo courtesy of Hales Aesthetic)\n<\/p>\n

\"Tyler<\/p>\n

Tyler Hales, a dentist known for working the pearly whites of TV personalities, has opened Hales Aesthetic in Corona Del Mar. The dental boutique, which he touts as much more than just a dentist\u2019s office, is not far from Fashion Island at 2600 East Coast Hwy, Suite 260. (Photo courtesy of Hales Aesthetic)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dentist<\/p>\n

Dentist Tyler Hales has opened Hales Aesthetic in Corona Del Mar. The dental boutique, which he touts as much more than just a dentist\u2019s office with a speakeasy vibe, is not far from Fashion Island. Address: 2600 East Coast Hwy, Suite 260. (Photo courtesy of Hales Aesthetic)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 4<\/p>\n

Tyler Hales, the \u201cbowtie dentist\u201d known for working the pearly whites of TV personalities Vicki Gunvalson, Faye Resnick and Slade Smiley, has opened a practice in Corona Del Mar. The dental boutique sits above the Sugarfish sushi restaurant, not far from Fashion Island. (Photo courtesy of Troy Jensen)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a>
\nCosmetic dentist opens in Corona del Mar<\/p>\n

Tyler Hales, the \u201cbowtie dentist\u201d known for working the pearly whites of TV personalities Vicki Gunvalson, Faye Resnick and Slade Smiley, has opened a practice in Corona Del Mar.<\/p>\n

The dental boutique, which he touts as much more than just a dentist\u2019s office, sits above the Sugarfish sushi restaurant, not far from Fashion Island.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis office is the realization of a vision I\u2019ve carried for years \u2026\u201d Hales said in a statement. \u201cWe built this office to match the level of craftsmanship we put into every smile \u2014 refined, intentional and beautifully elevated. It\u2019s a home for the world-class aesthetic dentistry experience our patients expect.\u201d<\/p>\n

Patients can take Hales\u2019 \u201cSmile Test Drive,\u201d which let\u2019s them preview their new smile before any procedures begin.<\/p>\n

Next door is Harmony Smile Design, a dental lab by ceramist Daniel Yang, the creator of Harmony Veneers, a customized dental \u201cshell\u201d system.<\/p>\n

Address: 2600 East Coast Highway, Suite 260<\/p>\n

\"Attorney<\/p>\n

Attorney Miko Sargizian was promoted to shareholder in early 2026 at Littler, an employment and labor law practice with offices in Irvine. Sargizian represents employers in labor and employment matters. (Photo courtesy of LIttler)\n<\/p>\n

\"Attorney<\/p>\n

Attorney Nolan McCready was promoted in January 2026 to shareholder at Littler, an employment and labor law practice with offices in Irvine. McCready defends employers in state and federal courts, private arbitration, and administrative hearings. (Photo courtesy of Littler)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 2<\/p>\n

Attorney Miko Sargizian was promoted to shareholder in early 2026 at Littler, an employment and labor law practice with offices in Irvine. Sargizian represents employers in labor and employment matters. (Photo courtesy of LIttler)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a>
\nOn the move<\/p>\n

Attorneys Nolan McCready and Miko Sargizian were promoted to shareholder at Littler, an employment and labor law practice with offices in Irvine. McCready defends employers in state and federal courts, private arbitration and administrative hearings. Sargizian also represents employers in labor and employment matters.<\/p>\n

\"PatricioPatricio Pineda and his family stand with their Tesla, a gift from Miracle for Kids. They\u2019re seen with Autumn Strier, CEO of Miracles for Kids, Erin Earlywine, executive director of Merge, and Barry Vince, founder of Merge. (Photo courtesy of Angel Oros)
\nGood works<\/p>\n

Miracles for Kids last week donated a Tesla and a year of charging to an Orange family dealing with the hardships of childhood leukemia and the all-consuming battle to conquer it. The Pineda family lived for two years at the nonprofit\u2019s Miracle Manor while daughter Marie went through her cancer treatments. Her father, Patricio, the family\u2019s sole provider, was forced to leave his job to care for Marie and his other two children. With help from Miracles for Kids, Patricio enrolled in a plumbing program through the nonprofit\u2019s employment partner, Merge. He\u2019s now employed, and the family has moved out of Miracle Manor and into its own apartment. Marie has completed her treatments and is in remission.<\/p>\n

\"SchoolsFirstSchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union donated $3 million in 2025 to CHOC in Orange, now called Rady Children\u2019s Health\u2019s, for its nine-story ambulatory building. Seen at the tower\u2019s debut in Orange are SchoolsFirst FCU\u2019s Brent Tercero, executive director of advocacy; Diana Kot, vice president of member development; Jose Lara, president; Kristin Crellin, senior vice president of community and membership development, Josh Smith, vice president of school and community relations and Michael Faulwell, chief financial officer. (Photo courtesy of SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union)<\/p>\n

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union says it donated more than $3.3 million in 2025 \u2014 through corporate donations and fundraising \u2013 to support Children\u2019s Miracle Network. The bulk of that donation went to CHOC in Orange, now called Rady Children\u2019s Health\u2019s, for its nine-story ambulatory building. The lobby of that building was named after SchoolsFirst FCU. The credit union also sponsored the hospital\u2019s annual CHOC Walk in the Park and the 2025 CHOC Gala. The Miracle network also supports Children\u2019s Hospital Los Angeles, Rady Children\u2019s Health San Diego and UC Davis Children\u2019s Hospital. \u201cAt SchoolsFirst FCU, supporting children\u2019s hospitals isn\u2019t just a tradition \u2014 it\u2019s part of who we are,\u201d Bill Cheney, chief executive officer at the credit union, said in a statement.<\/p>\n

Milestones<\/p>\n

Shellee Howard<\/a>, founder and chief executive of College Ready in San Juan Capistrano, is the recipient of the Global Educational Consultant of the Year award, part of the FLUXX Awards that honor innovators shaping education. Howard\u2019s company guides high school students through the college application process. She was recognized for having an impact on college admissions. She will be presented with that award at the FLUXX Leadership Conference in April in the Philippines.<\/p>\n

Status Update is compiled and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to\u00a0sgowen@scng.com<\/a>. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Check N\u2019 Play is open at Brea Mall. The pay-to-play space was created by Steffanie Balsells Najera to…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":160564,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[163,165,164,8233,387,7,6734,2462,45621,171,611,412,1969,6736,338,136],"class_list":["post-160563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-anaheim","tag-anaheim","tag-anaheim-headlines","tag-anaheim-news","tag-brea","tag-business","tag-california","tag-corona-del-mar","tag-irvine","tag-laguna-niguel","tag-orange","tag-orange-county","tag-restaurants","tag-retail","tag-san-juan-capistrano","tag-santa-ana","tag-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=160563"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160563\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/160564"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=160563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=160563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=160563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}