Just a block west of the Malibu Country Mart on Pacific Coast Highway is a new shopping center: the Malibu Colony Plaza. And they're not joking about that name. This center is within easy walking distance of the main gate of the famous Malibu Colony, so the stars can just stroll over to pick up a few items if they are in the mood.

In fact, during the TV news coverage of the Malibu fires in 1994, I spotted a harried Charles Bronson coming out of the Ralphs Market here, his arms full of emergency groceries. In March of 1995, newlyweds Pamela Anderson (of "Baywatch") and Tommy Lee (drummer for "Mötley Crüe") were caught on video here loading bags of groceries into their car. Other celebrities who have been spotted shopping at Ralphs include actor Pierce Brosnan (our newest James Bond and former "Remington Steele" was seen buying Halloween treats in 2002, while trying to control his young son), singers Carole King & Bette Midler, actors Goldie Hawn and Martin Sheen, and in the recent past, Lloyd Bridges and Brian Keith.

If not for its location, this could pass for a fairly average outdoor shopping mall, but the neighborhood is what makes it the local shopping center for the stars. Other than the Ralphs supermarket, there's also a Blockbuster Video popular with local celebs, a Sav-On Drug Store, a couple of banks, the Malibu Newsstand, two local cafés, and a handful of typical shops. There's even a Subway sandwich shop and a U.S. Post Office.

The center's most famous tenant was Wolfgang Puck, whose restaurant, Granita, attracted celebrities here like bees to honey. It was located right next to the Bank of America ATM. Alas, the restaurant closed in late 2005 and as of this writing, it's still sitting empty.

Malibu Plaza is an attractive center, boasting a Mediterranean look, with old Spanish-tile roofs, two small fountains, and lots of palm trees; it's a bit larger than it appears at first glance. There is no phone number listed for the center itself, but the number for Ralphs Market is (310) 456­2917.

 Getting there: The Malibu Colony Plaza is located at the southwest corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Webb Way (about a mile west of the Malibu Pier), just a block or two away from the main gate of the Colony. Take the Santa Monica (10) Freeway west to its end, where it becomes Pacific Coast Highway, then follow P.C.H. north (then west) along the coastline, for about 12 miles, to Webb Way. Turn left at Webb Way, and the center will be on your right side.