Riding the ups and downs of O.C. coronavirus trends, South Coast Plaza reopens — again

Jeff Luckey, left, and Tarique Lusk shop during the reopening of South Coast Plaza on Monday in Costa Mesa. “I asked someone if something bad happened,” she said, “and they said, ‘No, something good happened.’” What the Irvine resident heard was music to her ears: South Coast Plaza was indeed open again. “When I die, I want my ashes spread here.” Mall officials, employees and those who know what South Coast Plaza’s sales tax revenues mean for the city’s financial picture were no less joyful about the grand reopening, which will see the return of more than 100 boutique stores this week, followed by more soon. “Every month since April, we’ve been busy adapting and making changes,” South Coast Plaza spokeswoman Debra Gunn Downing said by email Monday. “One of the most important insights we’ve taken away from the closures and reopening twice is the importance of being nimble and flexible, thinking creatively and pivoting quickly, while keeping customers safe.” Signs asking customers to socially distance are spread throughout South Coast Plaza on Monday.