Costa Mesa, Cityscape is a collaboration with local artist Stacy Moffat

Showcasing Costa Mesa: Growth & Opportunity at International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)

For over a decade, the City has proudly participated in the International Council of Shopping Centers’ (ICSC) premier annual event, held each May. This three-day gathering draws over 35,000 dealmakers, retailers, and industry leaders from around the world—those shaping the future of commercial real estate.

Our mission at ICSC is clear: drive business growth and investment in our community. Our goals include:

• Positioning Costa Mesa as a business-friendly, opportunity-rich city.
• Attracting dynamic businesses, including potential California-first locations.
• Connecting businesses with available commercial spaces.
• Encouraging investment and innovative redevelopment of underutilized properties.
• Identifying emerging industry trends to keep our city at the forefront.
• Promoting and supporting the growth of our local brands.
• Gathering insights from industry experts to continually enhance our business climate.

Through proactive engagement, we ensure Costa Mesa remains a vibrant, evolving marketplace where businesses thrive.

2025 ICSC Booth Location

If you are attending the 2025 ICSC Las Vegas event, please come and visit us in lower South Hall at 238W.

Potential Sites

Costa Mesa offers prime locations to help you tap into proven market opportunities—start exploring available properties today.

Successful Collaborations: Highlights of What Costa Mesa Can Do

The City of Costa Mesa is committed to helping businesses start, grow, and thrive. Whether looking to launch a new venture, relocate headquarters, or expand an existing operation, the City’s Economic Development team is here to support business success. The City works closely with local partners to offer personalized assistance, streamlined permitting processes, and competitive advantages

Great Place to Land in California!

Raising Cane’s: Since launching California’s first Raising Cane’s on Harbor Boulevard in 2015, the Costa Mesa location has consistently ranked among the top-performing restaurants in the chain—and for several years held the distinction of being the highest-grossing location among more than 300 nationwide. This exceptional performance highlights the strength of Costa Mesa’s market and the enthusiastic support of the local community. Building on that success, Raising Cane’s identified an opportunity for expansion and, with the City’s support, gained approval for a second location on Old Newport Boulevard. Designed with pedestrian-friendly features and extended hours, the new restaurant is a direct response to high customer demand and further reinforces the brand’s strong confidence in Costa Mesa as a thriving business environment.

Expedite Your Process to Ensure Success!

Shake Shack: In May 2024, Shake Shack celebrated the grand opening of its second Orange County location at 333 East 17th Street in Costa Mesa. The launch drew enthusiastic crowds and featured the debut of the OC Dreamsicle Shake—an exclusive menu item created for the region. The project moved swiftly from concept to completion: following initial discussions at the ICSC conference in May 2022, Shake Shack secured a Minor Conditional Use Permit, completed plan check and construction, and obtained a Certificate of Occupancy by October 2024—all within just two years. The efficient and collaborative process exemplifies Costa Mesa’s commitment to expediting business development and ensuring a smooth path to success.

Provide Insight to Our Community to Bring the Best to Costa Mesa!

Kids Empire is a standout example of how Costa Mesa supports business diversity while responding to community needs. As the company expanded nationwide, it selected Costa Mesa for one of its vibrant indoor play spaces—quickly becoming a go-to destination for families seeking fun, safe, and engaging activities for young children. Recognizing a market opportunity for more family-oriented entertainment, the City helped connect this high-demand concept with a suitable property, contributing to the success of both the business and the neighborhood it serves. This proactive, collaborative approach reflects Costa Mesa’s broader economic development strategy: identifying market opportunities, guiding property uses, and cultivating a dynamic mix of businesses that enhance the local economy and overall quality of life.