Biz News: Resort at Pelican Hill among AAA five-diamond award winners

Several Orange County hotels have received AAA four- or five-diamond awards.

The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast and the Montage Laguna Beach resort earned five diamonds, the company’s highest rating.

Earning four-diamond awards were the Avenue of the Arts hotel in Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach’s Hyatt Regency and Waterfront Beach Resort, Laguna Beach’s Surf & Sand Resort and Newport Beach’s Balboa Bay Resort, Fashion Island Hotel and Duke Hotel.

Alexander McQueen and Givenchy boutiques coming to South Coast Plaza

Alexander McQueen and Givenchy, two of the world’s top luxury fashion retailers, will open boutiques in late spring at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.

The Alexander McQueen boutique will be the brand’s only location in Orange County, and the Givenchy boutique will be a Southern California exclusive, according to South Coast Plaza.

Both stores will be on Level 2 — Alexander McQueen in the Nordstrom wing and Givenchy near Jewel Court. The opening dates will be announced later, the shopping center said.

Also at South Coast Plaza, Aritzia, a fashion boutique, recently opened a 6,500-square-foot store in the Bloomingdale’s wing.

Pain du Monde celebrates 30 years

Pain du Monde, a small cafe chain, celebrated its 30th anniversary Thursday.

The company was started on Balboa Island in Newport Beach by Scott McVean selling artisan breads, espresso drinks and pastries. The chain now has locations in Corona del Mar, Fashion Island, on Bristol Street near John Wayne Airport and in Dana Point.

Pain du Monde celebrated its milestone by giving away cinnamon twists and gift cards.

St. John opens in Fashion Island

St. John, a women’s clothing and accessory retailer, has opened a location in Fashion Island in Newport Beach.

The brand was founded in 1962. The Fashion Island store is across from Bloomingdale’s.

Pimco names a new director

Newport Beach-based Pacific Investment Management Co., or Pimco, has hired Sung-Hee Suh as a managing director and global head of regulatory risk and compliance.

According to a news release, Suh has worked for the U.S. Department of Justice and a New York investigations practice. She is a graduate of Harvard University.

J.D. Power hires chief data officer

Seongjoon Koo has been named to the new position of chief data officer at J.D. Power in Costa Mesa.

He will lead the creation of new capabilities in data engineering, data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence, as well as support existing products and services, according to a news release.

Koo last worked at Encore Capital Group, a global finance company. He is a graduate of Seoul National University and has a Ph.D. from UCLA.

Newport firm buys student housing complex near Iowa State

Arrimus Capital, a Newport Beach-based real estate private equity firm, has acquired Stadium View, a student housing development next to Iowa State University.

The price of the 518-bed complex was $38.6 million. The sale closed in December.

H.B. advertising firm acquires agency

Innocean Worldwide, a Huntington Beach-based advertising agency, has acquired David & Goliath, an independent ad agency, for about $71 million.

Innocean’s clients include Hyundai Motor America and Vizio.

David & Goliath is based in El Segundo.

Newport company debuts meal kits

True Food Innovations, based in Newport Beach, is debuting its True Chef Meal Kits in stores.

The recyclable kits will initially be sold in Texas-area Costcos and a grocery store chain throughout Arizona.

Pacific Life Foundation makes charitable donations

The Pacific Life Foundation, based in Newport Beach, recently announced that it expects to give $7 million in charitable funding this year.

Of the funds, $2 million in grants were presented to 214 nonprofits on Jan. 25. Some of the recipients were from Orange County, including UC Irvine’s foundation.

Pacific Life, an investment firm and insurance provider, is celebrating its 150th anniversary.

bradley.zint@latimes.com

Twitter: @BradleyZint