Annual conference delivers message to owners: ‘Act now’

"Act now" was the final message from keynote speaker Mark Schniepp, principal of California Economic Forecast, at the 2011 Economic and Real Estate Outlook conference.

Williams Homes looks to entice local buyers

Homebuilder Williams Homes recently constructed the Solstice community of townhomes on Avalon Drive in Santa Clarita. The houses offer suitable options for first-time homeowners, or those looking to downsize. In order to entice sales, the local homebuilder is offering to pay homebuyer's HOA fees for one year, and offering up to $10,000 in flooring upgrades. With prices beginning at $259,000, the townhomes are available in five different 2-story floor plans and feature numerous detached-home ...

New codes connect consumers, business

It's the bar code of the future, but it's available today to print advertisers. It's an open door to multimedia advertising that offers every convenience to on-the-go consumers. And perhaps best of all, it's free.

City, dealers help pave way for sales

City officials and Valencia Auto Center business owners officially cut the ribbon on Creekside Road improvements Tuesday, culminating a city-business partnership aimed at drawing more SCV residents and other customers to Southern California's largest auto mall, where 23 different vehicle brands are sold.

An opportunity to Dream and Discover

Current and future small-business owners and entrepreneurs are invited to attend the 2011 Dream and Discover Entrepreneurs Conference on May 5, sponsored by the Small Business Development Center located at College of the Canyons.

New market offers name-brand discounts

A new full-service Hispanic supermarket has opened in Canyon Country. Offering an array of ingredients necessary in Hispanic dishes, Sabor Latino Supermarkets has opened its first store in the Canyon Shopping Center. The supermarket's grand-opening celebration today and April 29 will include salsa music, mariachi bands, entertainment for children, food tasting, raffles and prizes plus grand opening specials on Latino food products throughout the store. Owners Al Robles and Paul Roknipour have lived in Santa ...

Smith promoted to lead digital-interactive efforts

Kevin Smith has been promoted to director of creative and digital interactive at The Signal. The promotion, effective immediately, was announced Thursday by Signal Publisher Ian Lamont.

Poll: Renters ease restrictions

More than three-quarters of independent landlords say they would rent to someone who lost a home in foreclosure, assuming the applicant traditionally had good credit, according to a survey released Thursday by The National Association of Independent Landlords.

Designers of the modern workplace

Considering itself a student of the workplace, BKM Office Environments is a furniture and office-space planning company that will soon finish work on the new Children's Hospital Los Angeles set to open in July 2011.

Floral shop blossoms into sign business

After Debra Johnson Romero graduated from college, she took a job with a Boston-based florist on the recommendation of a friend. Having studied business management, Romero had never considered going into the floral industry.

VIA to host annual industry show

The Valley Industry Association announced this week its 2011 regional conference and industry show will be held at the Valencia Gateway Promenade center May 12. Up to 60 industry-show exhibitors will be at the industry show.

Allbright Paints it SMARTer

Coming from a home with a single mother on welfare, business owner Joshua Abramson of A. Allbright Painting is reaching out with his latest community program to give young people without fathers a chance to learn an employable trade.

Nissan of Valencia quadruples sales

Nissan of Valencia has been smashing sales records. In fact, the all new dealership team quadrupled the number of average cars sold by selling 115 vehicles in March, breaking the auto store's average sales of 30-40 units per month under the previous ownership.

Rooms & Blooms to focus on Web sales

Rooms & Blooms is closing its brick-and-mortar store to focus on its wholesale and online retail business.

Doggie doors to close at Calgrove Kennels

After 40 years of caring for families' pets, Calgrove Kennels is closing its doors June 1.

VIA keynote speaker touts ‘lean’ and mean

The keynote speaker at the Valley Industry Association's luncheon on Tuesday said he was first introduced to the concept of lean manufacturing when his family had to make a decision between buying steel for their family operated business or putting food on the dinner table.

Local Boston Scientific working on back pain

Boston Scientific received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval last week for its second generation Precision Spectra Spinal Cord Stimulator System, which controls pain.

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.