# Entertainment Property Expansions Storyliving by Disney Announces New Dining and Retail Projects By Kalin Ned | Published 2026-08-07 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/storyliving-by-disney References: [desertsun](https://www.desertsun.com/story/money/business/2026/08/06/disneys-cotino-restaurants-shops-where-when/91200376007/)  Storyliving by Disney has announced a wave of new [dining and retail destinations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/entertainmentpowered-retail-experiences) for Cotino Bay Beach, Dining, Shops, and a waterfront town center in Rancho Mirage, California. The new businesses are scheduled to open in spring 2027. Storyliving by Disney's move will introduce a diverse collection of six new experiences, including a [Mexican restaurant](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chefdriven-dining-districts) called Asada Cantina + Kitchen, an artisan marketplace known as Mojave Flea Trading Post, an Italian concept named SottoSopra, a juice and coffee spot called Big Juice, a sustainable refill shop named It Refills, and a [family-owned gelateria](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elevated-nostalgic-desserts) called La Dolce Piccola Gelateria. All of these destinations are set against the backdrop of Cotino Bay with its turquoise waters enabled by Crystal Lagoons technology. Image Credit: Storyliving by Disney ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.5/10 - Popularity: 59% | Activity: 52% | Freshness: 84% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/branding) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Branded Lifestyle Districts:** Entertainment companies are extending their intellectual property into residential-adjacent dining and retail hubs that blend placemaking, hospitality, and long-term fan engagement. - **Sustainable Convenience Retail:** Refill shops and eco-minded marketplaces within premium developments highlight how everyday sustainability can become a curated lifestyle amenity for affluent communities. - **Immersive Waterfront Commerce:** Artificial lagoon technology is reshaping mixed-use destinations by turning scenic water features into anchors for restaurant, retail, and leisure experiences. ### Where This Applies - **Hospitality:** Branded restaurants, cafes, and dessert concepts within master-planned communities create new models for experiential dining tied to entertainment-driven environments. - **Retail:** Curated artisan markets and refill-focused stores signal opportunities for specialty retail formats that prioritize local discovery, sustainability, and destination appeal. - **Real Estate Development:** Mixed-use waterfront town centers connected to beloved entertainment brands demonstrate how developers can differentiate residential communities through immersive commercial ecosystems. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Collaborative Seasonal Resort Activations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aprs-sea.md) - [Story-Driven Adventure Tourism](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/storydriven-adventure-tourism.md) - [All-Inclusive Resort Redevelopments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carambola-beach-resort.md) - [Resort-Specific Culinary Enhancement Project](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sandals-resorts-international.md) - [Iconic Hospitality Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seminole-hard-rock-hotel-casino-hollywood.md) - [Beachfront Villa Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/not-a-hotel-aoshima.md) - [Interactive Cinematic Attractions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/interactive-cinematic-attractions.md) - [Festival-Inspired Experiential Retail Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/le-club-outcast.md) - [Waterfront Dining Venue Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sea-salt-beach-house.md)