SanLuisObispo.com: Business

Follow-Up File: Good news pours from tasting room

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 21:04 PST

Name: Kari Kittinger

Job: Direct sales manager

Company: Clayhouse Wines

Biz Buzz: To pick or not to was zinfandel question

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:13 PST

When heavy rains dumped as much as 10 inches on westside Paso Robles vineyards in mid-October, many zinfandel producers faced a dilemma: harvest unripe grapes or risk letting fruit rot hoping it would finish ripening.

Now in barrels, the quality of 2009 Paso Robles zinfandel seems to depend in part on when it was picked relative to those rains. Once bottled, most of the wines sell starting in 2011.

�Zinfandel was a priority because it�s very soft-skinned and very prone to rotting,� said Dana Merrill, owner of Mesa Vineyard Management Inc. and El Pomar Junction Vineyard and Winery. �We were fairly impressed that it wasn�t a heck of a lot worse than it was.�

Biz Buzz: Twin Cities Community Hospital updates and expands its facility

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:58 PST

Twin Cities Community Hospital in Templeton has announced it is updating and expanding its facility with $7.6 million in changes this year.

With 9,500 square feet of new construction, the additions include a diagnostic center, new equipment and additions to the medical and surgical wing for eight new beds.

The changes have been planned over the past five years, Chief Operating Officer Joe Badalian said, as ways to improve the atmosphere and better serve patients.

Biz Buzz: More Weyrich woes as The Carlton restaurant and bar close

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:14 PST

The bar and restaurant at The Carlton Hotel in Atascadero closed Wednesday, the latest bad news involving North County developer David Weyrich.

The closure was confirmed by Amir Karimpour, a Carlton employee. The 52-room hotel � on the corner of El Camino Real and Traffic Way and long considered a centerpiece of Atascadero�s revitalization efforts � remains open, he added.

According to the Atascadero Main Street Association, the state Board of Equalization pulled the seller�s permit for the restaurant and bar.

Biz Buzz: Revised vision for city�s future revealed

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:15 PST

The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce has charted its path for the city�s economic future, with the release of the organization�s latest economic vision document.

The fourth version of its vision � originally developed in 1992 � presents the chamber�s core values and economic principles and serves as a guide for how the community can achieve greater prosperity. It offers a six-point economic strategy, which acts as a roadmap for the community as it goes about accomplishing its goals. The six points are:

� Proactively protect and enhance the city�s quality of life;

Follow-Up File: Manufacturer holds steady in recession

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:10 PST

What they said then: The Tribune reported in November 2008 and February 2009 that Paso Robles manufacturer Zurn-Wilkins lost 30 employees in two rounds of layoffs.

One of San Luis Obispo County�s largest employers, Zurn-Wilkins makes valves and other water-system components used in plumbing, irrigation, waterworks and fire protection. Founded in 1906, it has been in Paso Robles since 1977.

Rexnord Industries, its Milwaukee-based parent company, cited a weakened economy and a downturn in construction nationwide for the local layoffs, said Richard Thompson, Rexnord�s director of marketing.

Biz Buzz: Prado business complex near OK

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:18 PST

Developer Byron Davis expects to get final approval by the city in February for Prado Park, a 20-acre, seven-building commercial complex at 400 Prado Road in San Luis Obispo.

The Prado Park property is part of the Margarita and Airport Specific Plan and is near the 140-acre former Unocal tank farm. It would be the first project to move forward after the area was annexed into the city in 2008. Preliminary plans for the project had been approved as early as November 2007.

Some other developers hoping to build as many as 400 houses and other commercial buildings along Prado Road say the economy has stalled their plans. One developer, Craig Cowan, is losing his 16-acre property across from Davis to a bank foreclosure.

Biz Buzz: Foreclosure on park�s horizon

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:06 PST

A 68-acre business park along Highway 227 near San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport � under development since 1999 but with only one building completed � is on the verge of foreclosure.

Pacific Capital Bank, parent company of San Luis Obispo�s First Bank, says East Airport Development LLC owes the lender almost $11 million that it borrowed as a construction loan, according to court filings.

The property is scheduled for public auction Feb. 11 outside the entrance to the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse at 976 Osos St. in San Luis Obispo.

Biz Buzz: Recession lingers for county home sales, figures show

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:11 PST

Home sales and the median price of homes in San Luis Obispo County fell in the final month of 2009 as Central Coast real estate continued to be impacted by the housing market collapse.

Sales of all homes � including new and resale, detached homes and condominiums � declined nearly 5 percent in December with 231 homes sold, compared to 243 sold in the same month a year ago.

In December, the median price dropped 2.5 percent to $390,000, down from $400,000 recorded in the same month in 2008, according to the latest figures from DataQuick, a Southern California-based firm that tracks real estate information.

Biz Buzz: Atascadero�s 2009 Citizen of the Year is Don Idler

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:44 PST

Businessman Don Idler, owner of the chain of appliance stores that bear his family�s name, was named the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce 2009 Citizen of the Year.

The chain was established in 1954 and operates stores in San Luis Obispo, Atascadero and Paso Robles.

Past chamber chairman Jack Porter praised Idler�s involvement in the community, including his activities with local youth sports and church groups.

Biz Buzz: Dunn named Citizen of the Year

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:08 PST

John Dunn, former chief administrative officer for the city of San Luis Obispo, has been named 2009 Citizen of the Year by the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce.

For more than 20 years, Dunn has been committed to serving the community in the private, public and nonprofit sectors.

�He is the gold standard in community involvement,�� said Bob Wacker, the 2008 recipient who presented the award to Dunn on Saturday at the chamber�s annual Citizen of the Year gala.

Follow-Up File: Cooperage is soaking up fresh sales

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 19:37 PST

What he said then: In October 2008, The Tribune reported that California Cooperage, a San Luis Obispo hot tub and billiards retailer, saw a drop in low-end sales.

�It�s all the more expensive, better-built, higher-quality products that people want,� said manager Ted Fletcher at the time.

Owned by Paul and Denise Hodgson since 1980, the retailer�s customers tended to be 35- to 60-year-old affluent homeowners.

Biz Buzz: Muggelberg, Viborg named Roblans of Year

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:27 PST

A longtime volunteer with youth and a retired military leader were named the 2009 Roblans of the Year by the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce earlier this month.

Longtime Paso Robles residents Sandy Viborg and retired Brig. Gen. Glenn Muggelberg were honored at an award dinner on Jan. 16 at the Paso Robles Inn.

Viborg, described as an unsung hero, �prefers to work behind the scenes to accomplish goals while allowing others to shine in the spotlight,� according to Julie Matthews with the chamber�s communications office.

Biz Buzz: Dioptics parent company to be bought

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:38 PST

A French eyewear company, Essilor International, has agreed to purchase local Dioptics Medical Products� parent company, FGX International Holdings, in a cash deal of $565 million.

FGX, which includes eyewear brands Foster Grant and Magnivision, purchased San Luis Obispo�s Dioptics in 2008 for $35 million.

Dioptics, which makes sunglasses and optical accessories, was founded in 1979 by Diana Langley. It has been located in San Luis Obispo since 1989.

Biz Buzz: SLO firm bought by British company

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:41 PST

Fleet Management Solutions Inc., a San Luis Obispo company that makes mobile tracking devices and software, has been acquired by British-based Trafficmaster for a deal potentially worth $13.25 million.

�This is a very friendly transaction,� said Jeff Wade, FMS�s vice president of marketing. �We are in control of our destiny, but with some bigger pockets behind us.�

Trafficmaster, a public company with about $100 million in revenue and more than 500 employees, said it bought FMS because of its customers in the government and oil and gas markets, all of which are requiring reliable tracking devices in remote parts of the world, according to a British news source, IBTimes.

Biz Buzz: Parent company agrees to sell division for $10 million

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:58 PST

Pacific Capital Bancorp, parent company of First Bank of San Luis Obispo, has sold its tax division to a private equity firm for $10 million.

The agreement with Santa Barbara Tax Products Group LLC came several weeks after company representatives said they had plans to sell its E-Filing Financial Services Division, which offered refund anticipation loans and refund transfer tax products.

Santa Barbara Tax Products Group is a new company formed by the existing management team of the tax division and has the financial backing of an investment firm, according to bank officials.

Follow-Up File: Rh�ne Rangers are on a roll

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:25 PST

By Raven J. Railey -- Follow-Up File is an update on the plans and promises made by local businesses.

Name: Jason Haas

Job: General manager

Biz Buzz: Fire-resistant businessman named Morro Citizen of Year

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:16 PST

More than three years after a fire devastated his business, Morro Bay Furniture owner Barry Ross was named the 2010 Citizen of the Year by the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce at its annual installation and awards dinner Thursday night.

Ross was lauded at the event held at Ciao Bella restaurant for quietly supporting community events and special needs, and for a positive attitude after a 2006 fire.

�Although it took six months to rebuild the sleep shop, it was probably a blessing in disguise,� he said.

Biz Buzz: San Luis Surf Co. to close SLO location at month�s end

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:44 PST

Citing an economy that has vaporized its buyers, San Luis Surf Co., a locally owned surf retailer, is closing its downtown San Luis Obispo location at the end of this month.

�We noticed a huge drop (in sales) about 15 months ago when all of the Cal Poly students� spending screeched to a halt,� said Anthony Randazzo Jr., who owns the store with Nate Ditmore and Tim Cowan.

The store had opened on the corner of Morro and Higuera streets in the former Meridian store location in 2007. The company�s original store in Morro Bay will stay open, he said.

Biz Buzz: Old Vienna Restaurant shuts down

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:19 PST

Shell Beach�s Old Vienna Restaurant, famous for its sausage, schnitzel and oom-pah-pahs for nearly 40 years, closed its doors Wednesday.

The German restaurant was not making enough money to support itself, pay taxes and service a loan the family used to expand the restaurant, said Mike Mosier, who owns the restaurant with his siblings, Zoa Musick, Heidi Mitchell and Seppi Reithofer. Three generations of Reithofers had owned and operated the restaurant since 1972.

�It�s been bad luck,� Mosier said. �We did not want to close, but that�s what it�s come to.�