SanLuisObispo.com: Business

Biz Buzz: Downey branches to remain open

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 20:43 PST

A week after U.S. Bank acquired the failed Downey Savings and Loan Association, representatives of the Minneapolis-based U.S. Bancorp, its parent company, say they have no plans to close any of Downey Savings’ six local branches.

Federal regulators on Nov. 21 shut down Downey Savings and Loan, a thrift based in Newport Beach, and PFF Bank & Trust of Pomona in Southern California, following their collapse because of an ailing housing market.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. was appointed receiver of the two financial institutions, and U.S. Bank acquired their deposits.

Non Profit Strategies: It’s easy to be fearful, better to be grateful

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:57 PST

By Barry VanderKelen -- G ratitude can be a powerful response for nonprofit groups during these challenging times. The recent economic forecast for San Luis Obispo County suggests that the local economy won’t improve significantly for more than another year.

It is easy to become fearful about being able to respond to growing needs for programs and services.

Why shift to gratitude? How can the shift be made?

Biz Buzz: Merchants already discounting

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:57 PST

With the economy in a downturn and consumers pulling back their spending nationwide, some local merchants are taking once unheard-of steps such as opening on holidays to lure shoppers for the most important retail season of the year.

Starting Friday, many San Luis Obispo County chain stores — including San Luis Obispo’s Gottshalks and Circuit City—are opening as early as 5 a. m.

And they are offering big “doorbuster” sales and prizes to help draw hardy early shoppers on the day after Thanksgiving—considered one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

Biz Buzz: SLO auto dealer overhauls plans

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:03 PST

The economy has dealt a tough blow to local auto dealer Mike McCarthy.

But the owner of McCarthy Wholesale in San Luis Obispo is trudging ahead with a revamped business plan.

McCarthy has reduced the size of his inventory by about two-thirds to meet the demands of consumers who now crave smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles, he said.

Biz Buzz: New restaurant in historic Railroad District incorporates building’s past

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 08:02 PST

After more than two years of work in re-creating a restaurant that evokes the historic Railroad District of its past, owner Joe Hall has opened the doors of a new neighborhood bar and grill in the old Park Hotel in San Luis Obispo.

Called The Club Car, the restaurant’s name is an acknowledgement of the building’s place in the county’s railroad history, Hall said.

The old hotel, also known as the Axtell Hotel, served train passengers and railroad workers in the early 1920s.

Dan Logan, Central Coast Tech: Snag readers’ attention with pro’s tips

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:54 PST

If you have an important point to get across in writing, knowing the ways to grab and hold the attention of your intended readership will serve you in good stead.

At the December meeting of the San Luis Obispo chapter of the Society for Technical Communication, speaker Elizabeth McGregor will serve up tips and techniques for snagging your readers’ attention in a talk she calls “Written Communication for the Attention Age: Five Ways to Add Impact to Your Writing.”

McGregor, the principal of Fine Lines Communications in Nipomo — www.finelineswriting.com — will cover ways to determine who your audience is and the approach to take that will be most effective in addressing it, whether you’re writing with a technical, business or marketing objective in mind.

Wildfires don’t have same effect on hotels

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:21 PST

Name: Jamie Wallace Job: General manager Business: Courtyard by

Marriott in San Luis Obispo

What he said then: When fires break out across the state, it can impact the local hotel industry for better or worse.

Latest taste in local tourism

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:36 PST

By Dawn White -- The Central Coast is well known for its beaches, vineyards and open spaces, but local tourism officials hope to entice visitors with a new attraction: fine cuisine.

Culinary tourism, which draws travelers to destinations to experience local food, wine and restaurants, is the latest trend in travel that benefits San Luis Obispo County eateries, farms, hotels and wineries, said Carrie Head, community relations manager of the county’s Visitors & Conference Bureau.

“These are people looking for experiences,” said Head. “It’s not just about a meal.”

Biz Buzz: Local jobless rate creeps higher

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 08:28 PST

San Luis Obispo County’s unemployment rate inched up slightly in October, as local businesses continue to shed jobs.

The unemployment rate was 6.2 percent last month, up from 6.1 percent in September and well above 4.3 percent recorded in October 2007, according to the state’s Employment Development Department.

A total of 1,300 jobs in all industries were lost in the

Biz Buzz: Entry-level homes more affordable

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:31 PST

One day after a study ranked the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles region as the second priciest in the nation for housing — behind New York -— the California Association of Realtors has released data showing that 38 percent of county households can now afford to buy an entry-level home.

That figure is up from 20 percent of San Luis Obispo County households in the third quarter of 2007, according to the association. To purchase a home at the entry-level price of $356,120, a county household would have to have a minimum qualifying income of $69,300. The figure of $356,120 represents 85 percent of the county’s prevailing median price, the level at which most first-time buyers purchase a home.

While the increased affordability represents an improvement from last year — bringing home prices more in line with household incomes — the figures confirm what others have said about the lack of work force housing on the Central Coast. The county is the second least affordable in California behind the San Francisco Bay Area, where 35 percent of households could afford an entry-level home in the third quarter. The most affordable area in the state was the High Desert region at 73 percent.

Biz Buzz: SLO Chamber presents Green Awards for local businesses

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:55 PST

Six organizations have been honored with the first San Luis Obispo County Green Awards, as sponsored by the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce.

The awards recognize those who have taken exemplary steps to be “environmentally friendly,” including reducing pollution, conserving resources and improving water and air quality, according to a news release issued by the chamber.

The winners were chosen from more than 50 nominations by judges representing the chamber, San Luis Obispo city and county agencies, and environmental groups.

Biz Buzz: K-Life honors community

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:31 PST

K-Life Radio has announced the winners of its first San Luis Obispo County Community Impact Awards. The recipients were chosen for their efforts to significantly advance the quality of life in the county. The winners are Betsy Ehrler, as outstanding volunteer; Dan and Scott Pace, outstanding philanthropists; Trilogy Central Coast, outstanding business; and Family Care Network, outstanding nonprofit organization.

Ehrler is being honored for her volunteer service as president of the South County’s People’s Kitchen. The Pace brothers are recognized for their philanthropy, especially on youth projects such as organizing the Condors youth soccer team, which diverts boys from criminal activity to build them into leaders.

Nipomo’s Trilogy Central Coast is honored for its sponsorship of the arts, including the Clark Center Association, San Luis Obispo Symphony and Cal Poly Arts. Its fund-raising efforts for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and the San Luis Obispo Law Enforcement Assistance Association were also recognized.

Central Coast Tech: Genealogical Society offers computer class to help find your roots

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:52 PST

By Dan Logan -- On Friday, the San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society is running a class dubbed “Getting the Most out of Family Search and the www.familysearchlabs.org Beta Site.”

This class demonstrates how to access the free online databases at the Family Search Web site, www.familysearch.org.

The class will be held at the KCBX Training Center, 4100 Vachell Lane in San Luis Obispo from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Biz Buzz: Music stops at Morro Bay Music Box Co.

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:56 PST

The Morro Bay Music Box Co., a retail shop on the Embarcadero, will close next month, ending its 20-year presence in the seaside town.

Owner Victor Graziano will close the 500-square-foot store, which sells music boxes and musical clocks in the Marina Square shopping development, after the holidays. The reason? Graziano says it is time to retire.

His sole employee was let go last month, he said.

Biz Buzz: Santa Lucia Bancorp chief to retire at year’s end

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:58 PST

Larry Putnam, president and chief executive officer of Santa Lucia Bancorp, is retiring at the end of this year.

Putnam, 62, made the announcement to employees last week, although he had initiated discussions about a succession plan several years ago. Putnam has been with the Atascadero-based bank for more than 23 years, and has worked in the banking business since 1968. Now he

wants to spend more time with family, travel and play golf.

Biz Buzz: SLO kitchen and fireplace shop reopens after retrofit

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:48 PST

Forden’s, a longtime kitchen and fireplace company with a shop in downtown San Luis Obispo, recently returned to its 1930s building at 857 Monterey St. after completing a six-month retrofit and remodel.

The business, established in 1939, updated its 6,000- square-foot showroom by refinishing the building’s original floors, rearranging the displays and adding working fireplaces.

Forden’s, which started as a hardware store and revised its business model over the years, has been in the current building since 1950, said co-owner Dean Moore, who owns the business with partners Gary Smee and Kevin Moore, his son.

Barry VanderKelen: Nonprofits deal with bad economic times

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:31 PST

The state Legislature is trying to fix an $11.2 billion gap in the budget. For many local nonprofit groups, this means additional reductions in programs and services.

“We are all a little staggered that the state budget just passed and it was so far off the mark,” Grace MacIntosh said.

MacIntosh is co-chair of the United Way’s Agency Advisory Committee, a group of nonprofit organizations that receive funding from the United Way. She is also executive director of the San Luis Obispo County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Biz Buzz: Wilkins of Paso Robles cuts 17 workers, citing downturn

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:32 PST

Wilkins, a Paso Robles-based firm that makes water control products, cut its workforce this week, a company spokeswoman said.

Seventeen employees lost their jobs Monday, said Karen Schwenke, vice president of corporate marketing for Rexnord, Wilkins’ Milwaukee-based parent company. Schwenke did not say what positions were eliminated.

This is the first time since the early 1990s that the company has had to shed jobs, and it’s a result of the economic downturn, she said.

Biz Buzz: Event helps tech firms find funds

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:49 PST

TekTegrity, a San Luis Obispo computer service firm, took the top prize for its overall business pitch at a recent high-tech venture capital roundup event, co-hosted by the Economic Vitality Corp. of San Luis Obispo County and Softec in Pismo Beach.

The purpose of the first-ever roundup dinner event was to help local entrepreneurs pitch their ideas and find funding for their technology-based companies.

The event drew more than 100 investors, entrepreneurs and industry leaders for a night that included keynote speaker and event judge Jo Anne Miller of Milk Street Ventures.

Biz Buzz: Key SLO County employer expands company

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 07:34 PST

A top employer in San Luis Obispo County has received approval from the Paso Robles City Council to expand its company.

Specialty Silicone Fabricators Inc. — No. 18 of The Tribune’s Top 20 Private Employers, with about 220 employees— received the go-ahead in October to extend its lease to build a 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on city-owned land at Paso Robles Municipal Airport.

The expansion will allow the medical device company to consolidate its operations into one building and better organize its people and equipment, marketing manager Paul Maslin said.