Strickland’s Ice Cream Celebrates 90 Years and Two Sweet Years in Costa Mesa

Strickland’s Ice Cream of Costa Mesa is celebrating a major milestone. The Ohio-born ice cream institution marks 90 years of business while also celebrating two successful years serving Orange County.

Founded in 1936 in Akron, Ohio, Strickland’s Ice Cream is one of the state’s longest-running and most beloved ice cream concepts. Known for its ultra-creamy, small-batch ice cream made fresh daily on site, the brand has remained a generational favorite for nearly a century and continues that tradition in Southern California.

To celebrate 90 years, Strickland’s of Costa Mesa will host a public celebration on January 13. Guests can enjoy 90-cent small cones, a $4.95 value, with any purchase, along with hourly prize drawings from 4 to 8 p.m. featuring a variety of giveaways. For the celebration week, two classic flavors, Banana and Pistachio, have been added to the menu.

The Costa Mesa location opened in early 2024 and is led by longtime Strickland’s fan and franchise owner Neil Liu. The shop has quickly become the West Coast home for the Ohio-based brand, offering the same nostalgic flavors and handcrafted quality that built Strickland’s reputation throughout the Midwest. Ice cream is made using vintage-inspired machines and premium ingredients, including real fruit and real nuts in every batch.

Fans also follow the rotating Flavor of the Day calendar, posted monthly on Instagram, which often draws lines for seasonal favorites and limited-time offerings that sell out. In addition to ice cream, Strickland’s is known for its award-winning milkshakes and Arctic Twisters.

As the brand approaches its 100th year, Strickland’s continues to honor its legacy while creating new traditions for families in both Ohio and Southern California.

Open 12:30 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

1835 Newport Blvd., Suite B-121, Costa Mesa. (714) 887-4218

FACE FOUNDRIÉ Makes Its Southern California Debut in Newport Beach

FACE FOUNDRIÉ, the fast-growing facial bar known for making professional skincare affordable, approachable, and accessible, is opening its first Southern California location on Monday, Jan. 12, at Westcliff Plaza in Newport Beach. The opening marks one of the brand’s first locations statewide. 

The concept immediately resonated with Newport Beach franchise owner Maral Johnson, whose background and passion for the aesthetics industry made the partnership a natural fit. She is bringing the brand’s streamlined, results-driven approach to Orange County, a community with a strong focus on wellness and beauty. 

FACE FOUNDRIÉ offers luxury skincare without the traditional spa commitment, featuring a menu designed to fit real schedules and real routines. Guests can choose from 20-minute mini facials, 40-minute focused treatments, or 60-minute next-level facials. Enhancements include dermaplaning, enzyme masks, facial cupping, scalp massage, and more. Services range from popular microchanneling to advanced options such as H2Glow by Hydrafacial, all designed to deliver visible results while still feeling relaxed and restorative. Services are available à la carte, though guests are encouraged to join one of two flexible membership options. 

Memberships include a monthly facial, one enhancement, and 10 percent off in-store products, making consistency easier and more affordable. The facial bar features an open-air layout that maintains privacy with curtains while avoiding the feel of traditional treatment rooms. The space is designed for busy professionals, parents, and anyone looking to build a monthly self-care ritual without planning weeks in advance. Appointments can be booked the same week, and walk-ins are welcome. 

As the first Southern California and third statewide location, FACE FOUNDRIÉ aims to position skincare as a regular wellness habit rather than an occasional luxury. A consistent facial routine supports healthy, hydrated skin and long-term results. 

The location also carries a curated selection of skincare products and works with industry-leading brands, including Hydrafacial, Procell, EltaMD, PCA Skin, Circadia, Dr. Dennis Gross, and BIOEFFECT. 

For updates and opening details, follow @maral.facefoundrie. 

Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

FACE FOUNDRIÉ 1036 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach 949-742-3676

THE NOTEBOOK Musical Set for Segerstrom Hall in 2026

Producers Kevin McCollum and Kurt Deutsch, along with Segerstrom Center for the Arts, have announced that THE NOTEBOOK, a new musical based on the best-selling novel that inspired the iconic film, will play Segerstrom Hall from Jan. 27 to Feb. 8, 2026. The production is part of the 2025-26 Broadway Season and brings the beloved love story to Costa Mesa audiences.

“THE NOTEBOOK is ultimately a celebration of life, love, and the power of memory,” said producers Kevin McCollum and Kurt Deutsch. “Audiences first fell in love with this timeless story as a novel, then as an iconic film, and now they can experience it anew as a moving musical event. With multi-platinum artist Ingrid Michaelson’s unforgettable score and Tony Award nominated Bekah Brunstetter’s beautifully crafted book, THE NOTEBOOK comes to life on stage in a way that will resonate deeply with audiences across North America.”

The story follows Allie and Noah, two people from different worlds who share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart. Described as “Full of butterfly-inducing highs and beautiful songs” by Entertainment Weekly, THE NOTEBOOK is a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love.

Based on a novel that has sold millions of copies worldwide and a film that remains one of the highest-grossing romantic dramas of all time, the musical adaptation played on Broadway at the Schoenfeld Theatre from March 2024 through December 2024. The production followed a critically acclaimed world premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in fall 2022.

Tickets for THE NOTEBOOK, starting at $39, are available for purchase online at scfta.org, in person at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, and by phone at 714.556.2787. For inquiries about group ticket discounts of 10 or more, call the Group Services offices at 714.755.0236.