Former Tenant Gets the Squeeze at Ocean Ranch Center, Juice Bar Idea Denied

Tim DeCinces, managing member of has been squeezed—squeezed out that is.

DeCinces, who closed up the barbecue restaurant on Sept. 26, due to lack of sales, was hoping to assign his lease to the Nékter Juice company, in the same spot. There are already two successful Nékter juice bars he mentioned that are located in Costa Mesa and Corona Del Mar. However, his idea was turned down by the center's managment company, Shea Properties.

"They would not except the assignment," DeCinces said. "I'm sad to say that would could not assing our leasr to Nékter.:

He said he had to surrender possession of the location at 32371 Golden Lantern St.

"We are definitely out," he said. "I was very surprised they wouldn’t accept the assignment. By opening and then on the other side of the center they have made it very difficult for the food vendors on our side of the center. It was made it exponentially more difficult with the movie theater closing."

DeCinces was in the location for about a year but said he could not compete with either the hamburger or Mexican food chains.

"I thought a morning/lunch type juice concept would be a nice fit with the  Even when the opens it is a dinner/restaurant theater, so it would seem to me there is an over saturation of food options. I’m sad that our barbecue concept wasn’t able to be successful."

As for Shea Properties, it released this statement: "Shea Properties does not discuss negotiations or reasons why it accepts or rejects prospective tenants."