BRIEFLY IN BUSINESS

New stores open at Fashion Island

This month, Fashion Island welcomed a few new additions to the shopping center.

At the start of the month, Charriol, a watch and fine jewelry retailer, opened its third U.S. boutique. The 1,000-square-foot store features exclusive specialty pieces along with 2 ½-carat yellow diamond engagement rings. Charriol also has stores in La Jolla and Atlanta and some merchandise can be found in Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales.

On Thursday, Juicy Couture opened a free-standing “modern fairy tale” store, with French antiques, hardwood floors and fun, modern touches, including glass, mirrors, candy jars and mirror-finished metal. The store is 2,700 square feet and will offer Juicy Couture purses, jewelry, sunglasses, shoes and clothing for women and children. Juicy has 10 other stores around the country and one in Tokyo.

Last week was busy at the outdoor shopping center, and on Friday American Rag Cie opened a flagship store, introducing the fashion retailer to Orange County. The store is 13,500 square feet and carries collections from international designers, featuring casual clothes, denim, shoes and accessories for men and women. The store also has an organic Mediterranean restaurant called Café Beau Soliel, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The store was recently nominated by the LA Fashion Awards for 2006 Retailer of the Year.

Governor signs minimum wage bill

Earlier this month, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an assembly bill increasing the minimum wage to $8 an hour by Jan. 1, 2008.

This increase will make California minimum-wage workers the highest paid in the country, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

The current minimum wage is $6.75. The increase will occur in two phases. On Jan. 1, 2007, a 75-cent increase will be official with a 50-cent increase the following year.

New Irvine Co. gift card launched

The Irvine Co. announced Friday the launch of a new gift card valid at three of its outdoor shopping centers.

The preferred card is redeemable at Fashion Island, the Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine and The Mark Place on Jamboree on the border of Irvine and Tustin.

The card comes packaged in a chocolate brown gift box with a silver ribbon and can be purchased at the guest service counter of any of the shopping centers.

Lindora to offer weight-loss programs

Costa Mesa-based Lindora Inc., a weight loss clinic supervised by medical professionals, announced Tuesday it partnered with the Rite Aid Corp. to open the first health care clinic Oct. 2 in a Costa Mesa store.

Two more are scheduled for 2007 in Newport Beach and Laguna Niguel.

Nurse practitioners and other medical professionals will supervise the programs along with other services, including diagnosis and treatment of illnesses like ear infections, strep throat and sinus infections.

The Camp throws benefit bash

The Camp in Costa Mesa will host its first Project Wellspring benefit beginning at 7 p.m. Oct. 3, a musical and art community event sponsored by the fashion and board sport industries.

Organizers plan to make it an annual event.

The event was organized by Quiksilver Inc., Roxy Division and all proceeds will benefit Love Mercy, an organization aimed at helping the poor and oppressed worldwide.

It will take place throughout the retail complex, as well as at The Camp’s newest restaurant AIRe, which will host a $50 specialty dinner with food and wine pairings.

For the more budget-minded, appetizers and drinks will be served on the rooftop for $15.

Local artists will be on hand showing their work and Australian musician Ry Cuming will perform.

Cuming’s song “Life Goes On” was featured on last season’s MTV reality series “Laguna Beach.”