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.

Median household income fell 7.3 percent in recession

SBDC has a record year

The Santa Clarita-based Small Business Development Center had its most successful year to date in 2012, according to the business assistance center on Wednesday.

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.

Santa Clarita: SBDC Annual Report Highlights Clients' Small Business Success

SANTA CLARITA - In 2012, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted by College of the Canyons experienced its most successful operational year to date, with SBDC assisted clients combining to start 53 new small businesses and create or retain 937 local jobs.

U.S. HealthWorks appoints new VP of sales

Jeanne Osterlund has been promoted to Vice President of Sales at Valencia-based U.S. HealthWorks.

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.

AAF 2013 ADDY Award Winners are announced

Several local companies won ADDY awards last week from the American Advertising Federation's Los Angeles North chapter.

Lean manufacturing to be discussed

Lean Manufacturing is the topic at the Valley Industry Association business luncheon on April 16.

Princess Cruises’ newest ship is floated out

Construction of Princess Cruises' newest ship, "Regal Princess," reached a milestone Friday when the cruise ship was floated out of its building dock at Fincantieri shipyard in Italy.

New name, focus for construction company

When 23-year-old Jim Coffey started Jimco Electrical Construction in 1988, he had little more than a pickup truck to work out of, a couple years of on-the-job training and a buzz of enthusiasm for electrical construction.

Retailer says buying habits have shifted

First opened in 1972, retailer Bouquet Auto Parts has been a part of the economic changes and trends in Santa Clarita for over 40 years, said its co-owner, Owen Powell.

Office vacancies fall

The economic snapshot report for December 2012 was released by the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation – or SCVEDC – on March 21.

U.S. HealthWorks appoints Strickland national director

Scott Strickland has been appointed as National Director of Therapy Services for Valencia-based U.S. HealthWorks.

Purchasing a home can be tricky these days

Editor's Note: This is the last of a two-part series on the local real estate market. Last Sunday's story focused on the homeowner, or seller. Today's story focuses on the buyer.

Men’s Wearhouse founder speaks at VIA B2B

"Compassion and forgiveness are just as important as accountability and hard work," said George Zimmer, founder and executive chairman of the Men's Wearhouse.