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.
Nov. 8 is the day the Central Coast Economic Forecast unrolls at the Alex Madonna Expo Center. Master of Ceremonies Bob Wacker will be riding herd on a spirited line up of speakers committed to telling it like it is. Don’t miss out … Attorney news: Duggan, Smith & Heath attorney Linda Somers Smith is at it again. The 50-year old super runner was the first female finisher in the recent SLO City-to-Sea Mini Marathon and she holds the women’s race record… In the category of good-for-him-bummer-for-us: Second-generation Andre, Morris & Buttery lawyer Kevin Morris has been snagged by international rare-earth minerals giant Molycorp to serve as VP of operations. Kevin, who was acquainted with the fast-growing company through his local work with petroleum industry clients, will be headquartered in Denver. A number of local nonprofits will miss his leadership almost as much as the firm will … And speaking of AM&B, we just have to share this awwww photo of Firm
Administrator Mike Gibson’s adorable grandchildren, taken after a big day at a Maui beach … Impressive numbers coming out of Cuesta College: Consider student Daniel Lemkuhl’s 6th place finish in automotive repair at the recent WorldSkills event in London. The multi-disciplinary competition brought together students from 55 countries. Daniel was the only American representing automotive repair and, did you get it, he finished 6th in the world? Kudos! And a big chest bump to Cuesta College Athletic Director Bob Mariucci and crew, whose recent Win-A-Green-Bay-Packers trip fundraiser scored $20,000 for the Athletic Department. Winners were Chris and Cindy Hook of Sydney, Australia, who have family in Templeton.
BCA is working with new client Buona Tavola to create an Express Business Lunch menu for the busy downtown crowd in SLO and Paso Robles. Get a quick and delicious pairing of soup or salad with gourmet pasta, panini or other entree for an affordable price. Delizioso!
