Since the Business Journal last wrote about Lenny & Larry’s 10 months ago in the Fastest Growing Private Companies report, the maker of all-natural snacks has proved it’s not a flash in the pan. The food manufacturer roughly doubled its revenue this year and has outgrown its former 8,000-square-foot headquarters in Northridge, said Don Croutch, president and co-founder. Lenny & Larry’s transitioned to a 50,000-square-foot facility in Panorama City last month and has hired a half-dozen additional employees to help maintain the increase in business. “It’s an amazing place, a state-of-the-art office and warehouse,” said Croutch. “We’ve had tremendous growth over the last year or two, and (a handful) of great new retailers and distributors nationally and internationally that are very exciting.” The brand is known among health-conscious consumers for its high-protein Muscle Brownie and Muscle Muffin – though the company says its collection of Complete Cookies drive sales. The non-GMO, vegan, high-protein cookies include popular flavors snickerdoodle, chocolate chip and white chocolate macadamia. Before the year is up, the company plans to launch new packaging and add three flavors to the lineup: birthday cake, coconut chocolate chip and double-chocolate peanut butter. “They’re selling like crazy all over the country and the world,” Croutch said. “We’ve gone from this little local San Fernando Valley company to basically a worldwide brand now.” Lenny & Larry’s products can be found on the shelves of local and national grocers and retailers including Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, Rite Aid, Vitamin Shoppe and 7-Eleven. The snacks are also available at gyms including 24 Hour Fitness and Gold’s Gym. Croutch said the company’s 2014 sales doubled compared with the $7 million in revenue it reported in 2013. He expects 2015 revenues to do the same. “I would say this place should sustain our growth for the next few years,” he added. Cosmetic Cluster Caruso Affiliated is hoping to further its appeal to female shoppers at the Promenade at Westlake by adding two beauty retailers to its tenant mix this fall. The L.A. developer, known for its spiffy outdoor retail centers the Grove in L.A.’s Fairfax District and the Americana at Brand in Glendale, is bringing Sephora and MAC Cosmetics to its Promenade at Westlake shopping center late this month or early next. Both Sephora and MAC are national beauty chains with locations at many retail centers in Los Angeles. Sephora alone has more than 360 stores in the United States and 1,900 globally. MAC is owned by makeup giant Estee Lauder Cos. Both retail chains offer a selection of products for skin, in addition to beauty advice and professional makeovers for customers. As for the tenant mix, the 205,000-square-foot Promenade at Westlake is home to apparel retailers the Closet by Sharon and Nina Segal, Intermix and M. Frederic as well as a plethora of upscale restaurants. The addition of MAC and Sephora will bolster the center’s beauty supplies roster, which currently consists of Planet Beauty and Capri Nail Spa. The center is 100 percent leased, according to Caruso’s website. “The Promenade at Westlake is quickly becoming a destination for premiere fashion and beauty retailers, as each retailer provides its own unique product mix which serves to enhance the overall offering for our guests at the property,” said Keith Geiger, general manager of the center, in an email. “The additions of MAC Cosmetics and Sephora will complement the current fashion-forward retailers.” Higher Bar Gastropubs and lounges are not new to the Valley food scene, but HQ Gastropub is. Though it’s late to the game, the eatery hopes to separate itself from the competition with a concept called “gastrolounge.” It features two bars, a tasting room and a wall lined with more than 30 high-definition televisions. The décor has a musical theme, with menus made from album covers and music videos playing on the TV screens. Photos of rock stars and vintage guitars adorn the walls. The lounge serves drinks from an assortment of 32 craft and artisan beers and 52 red and white wines, along with a selection of pop-culture American food. The pub opened at 20969 Ventura Blvd. in Woodland Hills last month. It is open for lunch and dinner Monday to Friday, with breakfast and late nights added on weekends. “We are all about elevating the typical bar experience,” said Mark Matters, founder of the pub, in a statement. “Our principal focus is to pair high-quality food, beer, wine, spirits and music with eclectic and visually inspiring décor.” Staff Reporter Champaign Williams can be reached at (818) 316-3121 or [email protected].
