BCA FYI

BCA FYI

Entries from January 2011

BCA BLURB

January 27th, 2011

All of us at BCA are beyond shocked and saddened at the passing of Joanne Main, president and CEO of the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce. Joanne is a longtime personal friend of ours. Maggie Cox and Joanne worked together at the SLO Chamber in the 1980’s, had children at the same time and enjoyed working and playing together. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Main Family.

Categories — Condolences

BCA SOCIAL

January 13th, 2011

Answers to your questions
And questions for your answers

They say the key to success in anything is to follow the model. With Quora, a new social media site that’s picking up steam, not only can you “follow” the model, you can BE the model. Whether it’s topics like business, healthy living or an obscure hobby, (Geocaching, anyone?) Quora allows you to get your questions answered by people in-the-know, while simultaneously allowing users to share their experiences with the Quora community. Find out how small businesses can use Quora to learn from experts, get key inside information, or get their own queries answered. Knowledge is power.

Categories — Uncategorized

SEEN & HEARD

January 13th, 2011

Signs of encouraging times in business: lots of good news to share as the year gets rolling. Jerry Mattas, operations manager for the Cal Poly Creamery, said sales of Poly’s holiday cheese gift packs were so strong that the Creamery had to stop taking orders before the holidays. Jerry said the Creamery had a record year that “blew them out of the saddle”… The gift cards and T-shirt promotion that Atascadero’s soon-to-open Galaxy Theatres offered through the Atascadero Chamber and Atascadero Main Street was a sellout before offices closed on Christmas Eve … Idler’s Appliances will keep Dec. 27 in mind for a long time – the 57-year-old store marked one of its best sales days ever just two days after Christmas … And Susan Mullen at Pacific Energy Company reports sales pacing like they did in 2005, with more contractors in the store than PEC’s seen in several years. High hopes that the construction trades are rebounding … Kudos to Andre, Morris & Buttery’s transactions team of Michael Morris, Beth Marino and Melissa McGann Babu, who represented the Justin family in the record-breaking sale of JUSTIN Winery. The sale involved real property, a prestigious brand and other elements that made the deal a complicated one … SLO’s favorite soccer phenom, Chris Seitz, son of Mike and Sharon Seitz, was nabbed to play for the Major League Soccer team, FC Dallas in Texas. Other Seitz family news: Sharon is the new HR Director at Grover Beach-based Slime, a company that produces a line of products used to repair tires … Nice to see lights on again at the former Unocal tank farm facility now owned by Chevron. The local Chevron team has moved its offices to the site … While we’re on the subject of Tank Farm Road, check out the deli at the Edna Valley Gas Station, at the corner of Broad and Tank Farm. It’s a local favorite and offers a full breakfast and lunch menu.

Categories — Business Successes, Contracts

LOCAL BEAT

January 13th, 2011

Atascadero native Seth Roberts (that’s him in the front of the photo) took his vocal talents to Hollywood and landed Glee star Cory Monteith as the drummer in his band, Bonnie Dune … New faces about town: BCA welcomes new SLO Fire Chief Charlie Hines and Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong … Former JUSTIN Winery Executive Chef Ryan Swarthout has opened his own restaurant. “Robert’s” features classic American cuisine and is located on Pine Street near the Park in Paso … And one more food note: the Friends of Prado Day Center presents its third annual Culinary Carnival at Embassy Suites on Feb. 4. Local chefs, food, wine and an auction. Wilkins Creative Printing and Action Printing have joined forces to become Wilkins’ Action Graphics, offering production facilities and service in both North and South SLO County … The North County Women’s Shelter has moved its administrative offices to 1030 Vine Street in Paso Robles … Longtime SLO County Visitors & Conference Bureau webmaster Dave Kastner has created his own company offering web services with a special focus on the local hospitality and wine industries. Dave’s skills helped the VCB site snag numerous industry awards while attracting a high number of visitors.

Categories — Business Expansions, New Locations