Ever Changing Yet Still the Same

Ever Changing Huntington Beach

Part of the reason why Huntington Beach maintains its iconic status is due to the resilience of the community which allows it to reinvent itself while never relinquishing its unique personality.  Rare is the case when a beach community is without its own distinct flavor, and the fun yet strong nature of Huntington Beach has allowed for a steady, determined trend of renewal.  A great recent example of Huntington Beach’s successful re-transformation, as well as a fantastic reason to make your home in Huntington Beach, is the Bella Terra shopping center. 

If one was inclined to leave the proximity of Huntington Beach’s 8 ½ mile coastline heading inland toward the 405 freeway and the most inland portion of the city boundary, circa 1966-2003 one would find the Huntington Center.  Known in later years as the Huntington Beach Mall, it had been a ‘struggling’ mall during its entire existence.   The Huntington Center originally had The Broadway, JC Penney, and Montgomery Ward as its anchor stores, and while it saw a fair share of business throughout the 1960’s, later decades saw the mall become notoriously limited in traffic.  Anchor store JC Penny closed in 1992 and moved to the nearby Westminster Mall, replaced 1995 by Burlington Coat Factory.  The following year, however, true to the reputation of limited business, The Broadway closes, followed by Montgomery Ward in 2001.  Apart from Meryvn’s and Burlington Coat Factory, the mall finally closed altogether in 2003.

True to its regenerative nature, Huntington Beach finds a way to bring its freeway-close retail community back to life, and Bella Terra rises from the ashes of the empty Huntington Beach Mall lot three years later.  Bella Terra sports a world class retail mall environment while loosing none of Huntington Beach’s unique character; its very existence a testimony of Huntington Beach’s capacity to always change for the better while remaining the same iconic city.  With top of the line stores such as Barnes & Noble, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Century Theaters, Whole Foods Market, Cost Plus World Market, Kohl's, Staples, and 24 Hour Fitness, bringing in more traffic per capita than the area has ever known, there is every reason to celebrate and raise a toast of congratulations to the community which always finds a way to thrive.

It’s time to make Huntington Beach your home so you can share in its unique character; as an area expert I’ll find the ideal part of town to settle in!

Sylvia Harsin

714-612-5373

Sylvia@sylviaharsin.com