Business group is working to make Westside cool

COSTA MESA — It’s time for the Westside to flourish and solidify its identity — a play-work-live identity full of hipster businesses neighboring the surf industry’s “ground zero,” according to a group of Westside business leaders.

The newly formed Westside Business Culture group wants to attract people to the Westside, while promoting the area and getting rid of any “stigmas” some folks might have.

Made up of representatives from some of the area’s hippest businesses, the six founding members are involved with home developments, surf companies, a magazine, residents, restaurants and bars.

The business organization was the brainchild of Pete Zehnder and Steve Jones, who built 1.7 Ocean, a housing development for entry-level, “creative thinking” home buyers.

“It’s a group of like-minded business owners coming together to be involved in Westside Costa Mesa,” Jones said Wednesday.

The organization is in its infancy, but nonetheless has big plans. The group would like to eventually offer maps that point out some of the cool businesses in the area, and they also want to strive to really create a downtown atmosphere with the help of their fellow Westside business owners.

“We want to create a class of people to include in this diversity and all that the Westside has to offer,” Detroit Bar owner Dan Bradley said. “For sure, it’s a great area.”

The group wants to promote Westside Costa Mesa as a happening place to live, work and play. They want people who work in the area to be encouraged to stay for dinner or come back for entertainment. The group wants to encourage people to move here and work here, as well as own businesses in the area.

“The surf industry has been here for years,” said Joe McElroy, Hurley’s director of global marketing. “We spend so much time here, let’s make it a place to stay and play too — it’s community. If we can hang out, have a drink or go out and watch a band, that’s great.”

The Westside Business Culture founding members aim to create a support system for neighboring businesses.

“What’s good for one business is good for the next,” Jones said.

Although the business leaders plan to have their inaugural event next month, they don’t have dates set for other functions, but when they do, they won’t just organize your average event, Zehnder said.

And how could it be with the cast of characters the group has already attracted?

“We’re already here — these kinds of businesses exist, we just need to organize and get together,” Bradley said.

Other founding members include Luann Petix, editor-in-chief of Lemonade Magazine; and Shima Soffer, longtime Westside resident, restaurant owner and daughter of the late maverick restaurateur Sid Soffer.

But they’re looking for other people who have a major stake in the Westside’s development who are like-minded.

For more information, visit www.bettershelter.com or call (949) 777-5643.