BIZ BITES

Land Rover Newport Beach to expand its inventory

Land Rover Newport Beach plans to remodel its facility on Jamboree Road and expand its inventory next year, adding Aston Martins and Jaguars to its luxury selection.

The dealership, which sells exclusively Land Rovers, began remodeling in December 2006 and expects to have its new showroom completed the first week of January, with a grand opening set to follow in March.

The renovated showroom will feature four 50-inch flat-screen televisions, coffee bars and a children’s play area.

“With the successes of our Land Rover dealership, we felt the timing was right to add both the Aston Martin and Jaguar brands to our business,” General Manager Scott Paul said in a release. “With the addition of these brands, there is no better way for us to welcome them than with a newly remodeled dealership.”

? GQ honors designer with boutique in South Coast

John Varvatos, a world-famous clothing designer whose only Orange County boutique resides at South Coast Plaza, has been honored by GQ magazine as its Designer of the Year.

Varvatos made the magazine’s 12th annual “Men of the Year” list this month along with former President Bill Clinton, actor Tom Hanks, presidential candidate Ron Paul and several dozen others.

His boutique, known as the John Varvatos Co., offers men’s clothing, skin products, fragrances and more.

The Varvatos boutique in South Coast Plaza is one of only two in California and five in the nation, joining locations in West Hollywood, Las Vegas, and two in New York.

— Michael Miller