Tropical Smoothie Cafe to celebrate Flip Flop Day

Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Valencia will join other Tropical Smoothies to welcome the start of the summer with the second annual National Flip Flop Day celebration.

Business briefs

VP of Princess to speak at VIA luncheon Julie Benson, vice president of public relations for Princess Cruises, will speak at the Valley Industrial Association's luncheon on Tuesday, starting at 11:30 a.m. The cruise line, which relocated its world headquarters from Century City to Santa Clarita in 2001, is one of Santa Clarita's largest employers. Benson will discuss the cruise line's impact on the local economy, along with the company's future plans. Aside from the ...

Auto dealers contest nets schools cool $3,000

"Be Cool to My School," a monthlong Santa Clarita Valley Auto Dealers Association contest, netted three local schools $1,000 each in cash and prizes.

Web site aids stay-at-home parents

With the cost of living continuing to rise, Ally Loprete and Kelly Shand want to make sure the money paid to a business goes into the right pocket.

Business briefs

Construction contract program holds orientation The College of the Canyons Small Business Development Center will be holding its California Construction Contracting Program orientation on June 19 from 3 to 5 p.m. Attendees will learn how to develop and improve the capabilities of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises while also giving business owners an opportunity to achieve proficiency in the technical skills involved in highway construction. The event will be held at the center, located inside the Santa ...

Local Hispanic group announces honors

The Hispanic Business Committee of the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce held the fifth Annual Excelencia Award Ceremony to honor the Hispanic business community of Santa Clarita Valley and present 10 local high school students with college scholarships.

Hedman & Associates receives successful review

Hedman & Associates, CPAs has completed a peer review of its accounting and auditing practice.

Bank adds 2 managers to SCV branch

California United Bank has hired two new relationship managers, Greg Wells and Greg Spencer, to its Santa Clarita Regional Office. Wells, a business graduate of The Master's College has been in the banking business for 10 years, formerly working as a vice president and commercial banking manager at another Santa Clarita Valley bank.

Test drive fundraiser for schools ends this week

The Be Cool to My School Test-Drive Rally is in its final week, giving local residents a final chance to take part in the fundraiser for local schools. The campaign, sponsored by the Santa Clarita Valley Auto Dealers Association, was designed to give elementary, junior high and senior high schools a financial boost from the nonprofit association.

Rental company celebrates 30 years

Decades ago, Don Cruikshank was approached by Mike Redmond about an idea for a business that circled around renting equipment. "We kind of looked at it, and it was viable and we were young," Cruikshank said.

SCV home sales on the rise

Sales of existing single-family homes in the Santa Clarita Valley hit their highest level in months as nearly 200 homes sold in April, the Southland Regional Association of Realtors reported Thursday.

Waddell receives promotion at SCV Bank

Hugh Waddell has been promoted to the position of senior vice president/chief credit officer at Santa Clara Valley Bank.

Gearing up for business

At the age of 15, Ryan Alexy began working in the motorcycle industry. His first job involved mechanical work on bikes at a repair shop. After a couple of moves to different stores, Alexy found himself working at the dealership level, selling bike parts and gear. Over the years, Alexy built up an interest in motocross while going to competitions all over California, furthering his passion for the sport. With a knowledge of motorcycles and ...

In the business of convenience

Rather than waiting in line to get a table at a popular restaurant, local diners can go online or pick up the phone and place an order with www.scvgoodtogo.com, a delivery service.

Jobless rate dips for April in SCV

Santa Clarita's unemployment rate dipped .1 percent between March and April, according to the latest data from the state Employment Development Department.

Mission Valley Bank president selected to head up California Independent Bankers

Tamara Gurney, Mission Valley Bank president and CEO, has been selected as the California Independent Bankers 2013 incoming president, said a spokesman for the bank.

Williams Homes building in Santa Clarita

Williams Homes announced its latest new home development on Wednesday, which is based in Santa Clarita.

Newhall retail center sold

A Newhall retail center, Stagecoach Plaza, has sold for $8.5 million to a Los Angeles buyer.

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.

US housing starts surpass 1 million in March

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. homebuilders broke the 1 million mark in March for the first time since June 2008. The gain signals continued strength for the housing recovery at the start of the spring buying season.

Ocon U.S. HealthWorks VP of Tax

Ramon Ocon has been named as the Vice President of Tax for U.S. HealthWorks of Valencia.

Pegi Matsuda to head VEDC’s board

Pegi Matsuda has been appointed as the Chairwoman of the Valley Economic Development Center's board of directors, where she has served on the board for the past 10 years.

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.

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.

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