Business

Friday, Aug. 29, 2008

Biz Buzz: First American Title closing 2 offices in San Luis Obispo County

As a sign of the times, the Cambria and Los Osos offices will be shuttered, ending a decade-long presence in those communities

Comments (0) |

First American Title Co.’s San Luis Obispo County division will close its Cambria and Los Osos branches next week, ending a decade-long presence in both coastal communities.

Kevin Irot, vice president and county manager, said the closures are a reflection of the downturn in the real estate market, which has resulted in a marked decline in business.

“Our business is off more than 60 percent from last year,” Irot said. “And last year it was probably off by about the same from the year before.”

While business has dropped, Irot said First American’s commitment to serving customers in Cambria and Los Osos is strong. Four employees — two from Los Osos and two from Cambria—will relocate to Morro Bay.

The move makes sense because those employees can combine their efforts to better support clients, Irot said.

“Economically, we cannot support it,’’ he said. “But they can still get their same escrow officer who will give them the same great service they got before.”

Irot hopes to reopen the branches when business rebounds.

“We’re optimistic about business improving within the next year or by next summer,’’ he said.

Irot added: “We were the last title company to keep an office open in those communities. Other companies closed them long ago.”

First American Title, which has 29 employees, has operated in the county since 1960.

—Julie Lynem

Lifestyles Recovery marks 20 years

Lifestyles Recovery Center, a local nonprofit drug and alcohol counseling organization, is hosting a barbeque fundraiser Saturday from 11 a. m. to 3 p. m. at Downtown City Park in Paso Robles. The event marks the organization’s 20th anniversary.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $4 for children age 12 and younger. There will be raffles, food and music.

The organization also provides anger management and violence prevention programs in the North County. For details, visit www.lifestylesrecoverycenter.org. Call 238-2290.

—Tonya Strickland

New financial adviser joins CoastHills

Kurtis Kube was recently hired as a licensed financial adviser for CoastHills Federal Credit Union’s wealth management division team.

He’ll have information on a variety of financial products and services, including professional money management, financial planning, stocks, bonds and mutual funds.

—Tonya Strickland