Business

Published: Tuesday, Jun. 30, 2009

Biz Buzz: Car-sharing service to rent eco-friendly rides around SLO

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An alternative car rental-type business touting to tourists, government workers and locals who prefer to be “eco-friendly” will debut in San Luis Obispo in mid-July.

Fun Ride, an enterprise local businessman Mark Shaffer has brainstormed over the last several years, is a car-sharing service where users pay a membership fee to check out one of five alternative-energy fleet vehicles by the hour and mile.

Car-sharing has built followings in larger urban areas, such as with Bay Area businesses Zipcar and City CarShare, according to Shaffer, Fun Ride founder and chief executive officer.

Shaffer’s business, now headquartered at 1998 Santa Barbara St., Suite 130, will start with a five-car fleet of all alternative-energy vehicles, with the intention to grow it to 60 cars in five years, he said.

After setting roots in San Luis Obispo, Shaffer said he plans to expand elsewhere in the county.

He said he secured a $270,000 small-business loan to start the company, with cars currently on order from local dealerships including a natural gas Honda Civic, bio-diesel Volkswagen Jetta, ethanol-powered Ford Ranger truck, Honda Insight hybrid and a non-highway electric car.

The vehicles, set be stationed in various designated parking spots — or “pods” as Shaffer calls them — will be found throughout the city within the downtown area, near local hotels and at the business’ office. The vehicles will be accessible to those who reserve them at www.myfunride.com.

Running errands, commuting, tourist drives, day trips and moving are among their various possible uses of the rentals, he said.

“It’s teaching people you don’t have to own a vehicle to drive one,” Shaffer said.

Entities such as the city of San Luis Obispo and county offices have already expressed interest in contracting with Fun Ride for staff-use vehicles as well.

The company, which plans to hire a director of operations and a few part-time employees to wash and refuel the fleet, has a rate plan of $30 per year to join plus $6 per hour and 40 cents per mile, or $20 per month and $5 per hour and 30 cents per mile.

Fun Ride will use San Luis Obispo’s JB Dewar Inc. bio-diesel and natural gas services.

Shaffer is also executive director of local nonprofit organization Ride-On Transportation, but the car business is not related to that group, he said.

— Tonya Strickland

Hearthstone opens Paso tasting room

Hearthstone Vineyard and Winery has opened a 1,000-square-foot tasting room at 5070 Vineyard Drive in Paso Robles.

It will be open to the public Thursday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The boutique Hearthstone Vineyard & Winery, which produces fewer than 1,000 cases a year, was started by Cal Poly graduate Hoy Buell in 1999 when he planted his first vines in the Adelaida area west of Paso Robles. The vineyard grows red and white rhônes, zinfandel, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, sangiovese and brunello. Retail prices range from $18 to $32 a bottle.

The first vintage was released in 2003. This year, its 2006 Slipstone was a Sweepstakes winner at the San Diego International Wine Competition.

Besides making wine, Hoy is the owner of Green Heart Farms in Arroyo Grande and Arizona.

— Melanie Cleveland