If students walk around Malibu this semester, they’ll find that some things have changed. Malibu has added several new stores and restaurants, and the list is going to keep growing. As many are aware by now, Sephora had its grand opening March 16 in the Malibu Village. Soon, Chipotle will join the Malibu Village as well.
Chipotle was originally expected to open in June; however, this opening has been pushed back to Oct. 17. Chipotle has warned that this too could be subject to change.
The Malibu Country Mart is also adding new shops and restaurants. Clothing stores Silver Threads and Vintage Malibu recently opened in the shopping center. The upscale Chinese restaurant chain, Mr. Chow, will also be opening in the spot where Nobu was formerly located. It’s expected to arrive before the holiday season.
This could only be the beginning, however, as there are many more chains looking to expand to Malibu. One example is Whole Foods, which is considering opening a branch in Malibu, according to Malibu Patch.
These new additions are reflective of the new direction Malibu is heading. The town is becoming increasingly commercial, adding plenty of new businesses, especially chains. Commercializing the area will likely bring more visitors to shopping centers, and it will make Malibu living more convenient for locals and more exciting for young college students.
However, these things come at a price as well. Malibu is known for its natural beauty, and the commercial development may take away from the relaxed, natural feel of Malibu. The future will reveal how Pepperdine and the larger Malibu community handle the continuing commercialization.
