Borders Will Open in South Coast Plaza

Borders Books, Music and Cafe said Wednesday that it will open a store at South Coast Plaza next to where Crate & Barrel is installing a new home furnishing store.

The bookstore, which will open this fall, should give a boost to the shopping plaza formerly known as Crystal Court, which is overhauling its tenant mix and linking itself more closely to its sister center across Bear Street.

The announcement removes part of the mystery about which retailers would fill the gaping 215,000 square feet previously occupied by Robinsons-May. Crate & Barrel Furniture, set to open in November, is taking 42,000 square feet, while Borders will use 26,065 square feet.