The Landmark restaurant in Corona del Mar has been sold, owner Mario Marovic said in an interview this week.
“I had to make a decision,” Marovic said. “Am I going to work more? I’m ready to spend time with my family.”
Marovic said the arrival of his second child in April factored into his decision. His daughter, Kate, is 10 weeks old, and his daughter, Grace, will be 3 next month.
“Work begins the second I wake up in the mornings through the minute when I go to sleep,” he said. “I put my phone down when I hug my children. And that’s it. This was a family decision.”
The restaurant at 3520 East Coast Highway opened in July 2005. Marovic’s father and a friend also have sold their shares, and Marovic said he planned to sell the majority of his shares to a North Tustin couple, Scott and Kelly Polston.
“They have the energy,” he said.
Marovic has been working on a menu change at the restaurant, which will incorporate a farm-to-table approach with locally grown produce and handcrafted cocktails. A new chef and a new rooftop garden also are in the works, and the Polstons were completely on board with the changes.
“There was lots of interest, but they were a great fit,” he said.
Marovic, who also owns Malarky’s Irish Pub on the Peninsula and four other businesses in Orange County, said he would move his office from the Landmark restaurant, although he would remain a consultant and planned to stop by.
“I live up the street,” he said. “I’m going to be involved. The entire staff is staying, and I’ll want to stay in touch with them.”
Escrow will close when the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control transfers the liquor license to the new owner, possibly in another month or so, Marovic said. A sign is currently posted in front of the restaurant announcing the pending application change.
Kelly Polston did not respond to a message seeking comment for this story.
Landmark’s new garden and menu will be unveiled in early August, Marovic said.
A year ago, Landmark was sued by a customer who said racial slurs were used on his receipts. The case was settled this year.
