Theater could project vitality

The owners of the often-struggling Triangle Square -- not to mention

Costa Mesa residents -- received welcome news this month when Edwards

Theater renewed its lease at the center for another five years.

As one of the center’s anchor tenants -- along with Niketown,

Virgin Megastore, Barnes & Noble, the Gap and the Yardhouse --

Edwards is a key component to the success of Triangle Square, success

that has been too infrequent, at best. With Edwards’ commitment,

there is reasonable hope that past problems truly may be in the past.

Those troubles have been well documented: frequent management

changes, store vacancies and an ensuing skepticism that the center

would ever add much money to Costa Mesa’s coffers. But such a solid

and continuing commitment from a tenant the size of Edwards can go a

great distance toward quieting that doubt -- a change in perception

that should not be underestimated or discounted.

If Edwards officials show belief in the center’s future, other

business owners are more likely to consider moving in. If smaller

shops come in and succeed, others will follow. As there is more

choice and draw at Triangle Square, more people will shop there. And

success will naturally follow.

That picture, of course, is still the hope and not yet the

reality. And, yes, hope doesn’t pay any bills. But if Edwards’

commitment can change the perception of the center from one of doubt

to one of excitement, then perhaps what follows will be a stability

in management and a flourishing of tenants.

As we have stressed before, Triangle Square is too important to

let it wither away to nothing. It is a centerpiece of downtown Costa

Mesa, and its economic vitality will be key to any successful effort

to revitalize that whole area. It is a vitality that would benefit

the city at large and its residents.

There is new reason to hope that vitality is near.