What’s Changing at Triangle Square is Edible

Changes are also underway at Triangle Square in Costa Mesa, where Ralphs grocery store is moving out, Whole Foods Market is moving in and mall owners are planning a $150,000 renovation of the food court area.

Ralphs, which is on the mall’s lower level, will close Jan. 17 to make way for Whole Foods’ second specialty market in Orange County.

The new Whole Foods will be a “perishables superstore” with lots of produce, fish and meat and a wide array of other offerings, said Richard Cundiff, president of Whole Foods Market Inc.’s Southern Pacific region. The company will offer more products at Triangle Square than at other outlets because of the 45,000- to 50,000-square-foot space available, he said.

The new store should be open by summer, he said.

Later this month, the center will begin sprucing up its second-story food court area. It will add tables, chairs, umbrellas and landscaping, and install a fountain and a platform for live music, fashion shows and other performances, general manager Tom Estes said.

In late May, a Yard House restaurant--which features a varied menu and a huge selection of draft beer--will move into the 9,000-square-foot slot vacated about a year ago by Virgin Megastore, which still operates on the floor below.

The center said it is also getting close to announcing what will replace Sfuzzi, an Italian restaurant that closed in October.