Hundreds lined up for the Newport Beach opening, with first-day proceeds benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.
Levain Bakery has opened its first Orange County location at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, drawing hundreds of customers eager to try the New York-born bakery’s signature oversized cookies.
The store opened Sept. 4 on the Macy’s side of Fashion Island near Barnes & Noble and Starbucks. The Daily Pilot reported that just under 400 people were in line by 8:40 a.m., less than an hour after doors opened.
A New Orange County Location
Levain was founded in New York City in 1995 and has expanded to more than 20 locations nationwide. The Fashion Island bakery is its fourth California location, joining stores in Venice and Beverly Hills.
The menu includes the company’s well-known six-ounce cookies along with breads, pastries, coffee and other bakery items.
Opening Day Supports Second Harvest
Levain continued a company tradition of giving opening-day proceeds to a local nonprofit by directing proceeds from the Newport Beach launch to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.
Fashion Island also said unsold baked goods from the new location will be donated to Abound Food Care, an Orange County organization that works to redirect surplus food and reduce waste.
Why It Matters Locally
The opening adds another nationally recognized brand to Newport Beach’s retail landscape while also connecting the launch to local hunger-relief work. For residents, it is both a new food destination and an example of a business opening being used to support local nonprofit organizations.
