Calling entrepreneurs

The Small Business Development Center began holding a series of free business seminars this week.

Expansion adds to Fulfillment

AMS Fulfillment Inc., a third-party company for warehousing, assembly and order-fulfillment services, has opened a new headquarters and sixth warehouse.

Longtime local retailer announces plan to close

Caston's TV & Appliances of Newhall announced Monday it is closing its doors for good. The family-owned and -operated business first opened in 1967. The retailer, a Newhall fixture for 44 years, hired a company to handle the close-out sale. Closed to prepare for the sale, Caston's will reopen Thursday at 9 a.m. to begin clearance of its inventory. The professional liquidation company expects to be able to sell all existing inventory within about six ...

Longtime local retailer announces plan to close

Caston's TV & Appliances of Newhall announced Monday it is closing its doors for good. The family-owned and -operated business first opened in 1967.

Nursery celebrates its roots

Green Thumb nursery is celebrating its 41st anniversary today. A community staple, the family-owned nursery opened in 1970, and has remained in Santa Clarita for more than 40 years at the same location. With 20 employees, the garden retailer is one of the leading independent nursery businesses nationwide, said Bryan Payne, store manager since 1994. Green Thumb operates five stores in Ventura, Canoga Park, Lake Forest, San Marcos and Santa Clarita. "Our business is one ...

Faith for infant clothes

The successful launch of a maternity clothing line inspired Valerie Bradford and Ayanna McLeod to open a second company geared toward infants and toddlers.

Furniture store’s old-town feel

Nearly a decade before Santa Clarita became a city, and residents could drive from one end of town to the other and rarely see a traffic light, Consumers Furniture opened for business to serve local residents.

A Loop to keep companies flying

After 35 years in the aerospace industry, Bert Braché identified a niche market to help produce replacement parts for airplane owners/operators.

Company steps in to help with college

Going to college today resembles something more like an obstacle course than a clear pathway to higher learning.

Company pumps up the volume

Move over, "American Chopper." Long-time Santa Clarita business SoundMan Car Audio may one day soon be coming to TV with its own reality show.

Initiative targets entertainment

The Small Business Development Center has launched another new program in support of emerging and small businesses.

Prices, taxes cool this summer

Summer is finally heating up and along with it some good news for consumers. Gas prices continue to drop at the pump, and the statewide sales tax falls back to 8.75 percent today, a decrease of 1 percent on every dollar spent. The tax rate dropped due to the expiration of temporary tax hikes imposed in 2009. The tax increase was originally imposed to help cut the state's budget deficit. While consumers will mostly feel ...

Jana Adkins: Auto racing provides many lessons needed to run a business

The best sales efforts in the world can be undone by weak operation support in a business. The best example I can think of when it comes to painting the picture of operational team work and efficiency is the Formula One auto racing series. In his Signal column, "Brain Food for Business Owners," columnist Ken Keller often writes about the perils of a business leader missing key opportunities when planning and managing sales and sales ...

Student finds success fixing phones

When Andrew Richardson broke the glass display on his iPhone awhile back, he had to drive to an Apple repair store in Los Angeles for a repair that cost him $129. It cost him time and gas, too, he said.

Local specialists work to fill void

Home buyers haven't had a monetary incentive or received a tax credit to buy a home since the federal and state government tax-credit programs expired last year.

More companies vying for spots at career fair

In a sign that the economic tides are shifting, more companies are signing up for the College of the Canyons spring job fair than the college has seen since 2008, said a spokesman for the college.

Retailer permits are approved for Patios

Permits have been issued for a fashion accessories retailer to occupy a portion of the space where The Westfield Group had petitioned the city of Santa Clarita to locate a Walmart Neighborhood Market, said an official with the city.

Second BevMo store to open in the Santa Clarita Valley

The second Santa Clarita Valley BevMo store opens in Canyon Country April 26, said Josh Phaneuf, with BevMo.

Santa Clarita Valley office vacancies rise slightly

Santa Clarita's first-quarter office vacancy rate rose slightly as one business moved out of the area and another, smaller firm moved in.

Family-run 7-Eleven closing after 27 years

What 7-Eleven, Inc. giveth, 7-Eleven, Inc. taketh.

Homeowners in need often become victims

If a company is asking for money upfront to perform a loan modification service, that's a red flag, said a local Realtor.

Bouquet getting repaved

Bouquet Canyon Road is getting a makeover.

Stores host block party to attract business

Sometimes it just takes a village of business owners to kick off a round of economic activity.

Median household income fell 7.3 percent in recession

Enterprise Zone audit reveals no major flaws

An exhaustive five-day audit of Santa Clarita's Enterprise Zone resulted in the program being given a green light with regards to running of the program and credits granted.

Kaiser Permanente expanding its practice

Kaiser Permanente first opened its doors to Santa Clarita residents in 1994. But in October 2012, the integrated managed care medical group purchased a second building in Valencia.

Education has been key to its growth, local escrow company says

Independently owned and operated since 1998 by Jim and Anita Lombardi of Santa Clarita, Federal Escrow Inc. has been offering every type of escrow imaginable.

Small business center launches restaurant startup program

The Small Business Development Center, hosted by College of the Canyons, offers a wide array of services, many at no cost to new and existing business owners.

Auto repair shop thrives on good service

Dan Carpenter first opened his Santa Clarita automotive service in October 1988, specializing in the repair of Honda and Acura vehicles.

AMS Fulfillment’s growth led to rapid-fire expansion

AMS Fulfillment's meteoric growth over the past decade led to the company's leasing of 13 different buildings scattered throughout the Santa Clarita Valley.