Orange Town & Country Shopping Center — Attraction in Orange

Thirty years ago, where this Center now stands, was a small, quiet, usually empty outdoor mall shopping sort of area. There were only two stores of note to me, a young 16yr old.

The first store of note is a modeling studio. Me and my younger brother would walk over here to sneak peeks at the mature 18yr old models who would commonly get their photos taken in different vignettes around the mall. I wonder if any of them ever made the big-time".

The other store of note was the Crystal Cave. It has since moved to a smaller space over in Costa Mesa. It is now a sort of new age shop. Back then, tho', it was a full-on witch's shop which sold assorted notions, lotion and potions for winning at love and pick six. The thing that drew me and my small cabal of friends, tho', was the spacious and well-stocked Dungeons & Dragons section. They had all the books and great prices on modules. Hanging on the wall in that section was a sign that said “Shoplifting Plays Hell With Your Karma". I didn’t understand exactly what it meant, but I wasn’t about to earn the ire of a shop of witches, so I never shoplifted there. More on this in my review for the present-day Barnes & Noble in this same Center.

There was also a diner here. I forget the name, but my buddy's Mom worked there. We never got any free stuff, but the food was real good. That was back when people still smoked in restaurants.

It was...

The Orange Town and Country is nice. Another tip. The City rustic waterfall on the corner. It is anchored by Mother's Kitchen on the Memory Lane side and Olive Garden on the Main Street Side. As well as seven other eating places and coffee shops as well as a nail salon, Fed Ex store, a Bank of the West, and a beauty salon specializing in eyebrows, facial hair removal and other specialties. If you have kids there are endless things that they love to play on. There is a large curved cement stage with three steps on each side. Kids of all ages like to pretend they are performing as well as play tag, hide and seek, race against other kids (or their parents). Just last night I counted 9 kids on the stage playing a game of tag. Even the little ones like to climb the stairs and walk or run. There is a large patio area with tables, umbrellas and chairs. Bring the family for dinner or meet a friend for coffee. Come and check it out - City Place. South of Orange Town...

Overall my visit there was really well. I went to Macy's to get some Eight-Hour Cream from Elizabeth Arden line in the cosmetics department. The young lady there was very helpful 10 finding what I needed. Then I went over to the men's department and The old Man and the shoe department was very rude to me. I almost wanted to go to personnel and report him but I didn't. So if I had to do a rating for the lady in cosmetics and the Elizabeth Arden department I would give her a five starprotect. As for the old bitter man and the shoe department I wouldn't give him one star and I will never buy a pair of shoes...