SFVBJ Current Edition | San Fernando Valley Business Journal

Baseball Bloggers At Easton Summit

Bat maker’s story-based marketing seeks to broaden brand’s appeal.

In late November, 14 of the baseball world’s most popular bloggers and social media personalities convened at Easton Diamond Sports’ headquarters facility in Thousand Oaks

Borderline Comeback

Bar to reopen and expand with new location after shooting tragedy

The owners of Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks have announced they will reopen the bar this year — and even expand with a second location.

PPG Paint Shop For Aerospace

MANUFACTURING: Burbank site renovated to augment research.

PPG Industries Inc. last month completed upgrades at its aerospace research and technology center in Burbank.

VALLEY INSIDER

Bryant Riley on Board

Bryant Riley, chairman of B. Riley Financial Inc. in Woodland Hills, has joined the board of Select Interior Concepts Inc.

Give Moms a Break or Suffer Costs

I’ve asked a dozen or so business operators in recent months if they’ve created lactation rooms yet.

New Year Brings More Frustrations

VICA LOCAL UPDATE The Business Perspective on Valley Issues

Few people would accuse me of being sentimental, but if there’s ever a time for it, it’s the first week of January.

AROUND THE VALLEYS

News and notes from the greater San Fernando Valley

LemonMobile for Youth Market

Citrus company to promote entrepreneurship program.

Limoneira Co. has signed up as a promotional partner for Lemonade Day

Lack of Lab Space

CONSTRUCTION: A cluster of biotech startups has created demand for R&D facilities in the Conejo Valley.

T he growing number of emerging biotech companies in the Conejo Valley has created the need for wet laboratory space in the local real estate market.

Brazilian Sales Boost Outlook at MannKind

BIOTECH: Revenues from Afrezza jump 46 percent year-over-year.

MannKind Corp. achieved noteworthy progress for international sales of its inhalable insulin Afrezza

Technology Hub Comes Together in Moorpark

REAL ESTATE: Biotech and defense companies move into Ventura County.

If you’re looking for a biotech or defense-related research cluster, the Conejo Valley and Antelope Valley jump to mind. Both Thousand Oaks and subsets Westlake Village and Newbury Park are home to innovators in the biotech field, including Amgen Inc., MannKind Corp. and Atara Biotherapeutics. The Antelope Valley has Lockheed Martin Corp.’s Skunk Works and Northrop Grumman Corp.

AB5’s Exemptions

LAW: New definition of independent contractors has a multitude of rules for specialized occupations.

Before Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 5 – the new law that redefines who is an independent contractor – lobbyists for a variety of industries secured exemptions to the rules.

Builder’s Big Move

RELOCATION: PCL Construction tackles high-profile projects including one close to home — its new corporate headquarters.

PCL Construction Services Inc.’s list of completed projects range from the Banc of California Stadium soccer stadium in L.A.’s Exposition Park to renovations at Los Angeles International Airport.

Glendale Matures Post Meltdown

New tenants buoy occupancy in Tri-City’s office sector.

Only two years ago, Nestlé USA announced that it would leave its longtime base at 800 N. Brand Ave. in Glendale for Rosslyn, Va., taking with it a chunk of its 1,200 employees and vacating some 375,000 square feet of office space.

Data Breach Recovery at Casamba

Electronic medical record business hit by malware.

Agoura Hills electronic medical record company Casamba was the target of a malware attack in November, affecting its home health and hospice products.

Deerlake Ranch Looks Upscale in Chats worth

Home prices range from $1.1 million to $1.3 million.

Landsea Homes’ newest community, Crestley at Deerlake Ranch in Chatsworth, officially opened to the public Dec. 21 with the rollout of three single-family homes — each representing one of the three floorplan models available for purchase as well as the three architectural styles offered: Spanish, Farmhouse and Arts & Crafts.

Valley Tech on Display

Local presence at SoCalBio conference about digital health.

SoCalBio’s Digital Health Conference hosted biotech companies and venture capital firms from around the globe

Union Calls Strike at Kaiser Site

Panorama City mental health workers set up picket line.

Mental health workers on Dec. 16 set up a picket line outside Kaiser Permanente’s Panorama City Medical Center to strike against inadequate staffing numbers, as well as poor retirement and health benefits.

Flip’d by IHOP on Front Burner

Dine Brands enters fast casual sector with familiar menu.

Glendale restaurant operator Dine Brands Global Inc. announced last month a new fast-casual concept called Flip’d by IHOP, slated to launch in the spring of 2020.

Valley’s Only Michelin Star Restaurant

Sushi spot serves $100-a-plate meals in 900 square feet.

When it comes to commercial real estate, Encino has an idiosyncratic energy. There’s the mini-Caruso entity called Encino Marketplace. There’s the unrelated Encino Place, a retail center which actually borders Sherman Oaks at Ventura Boulevard and Woodley Avenue.

Naked Wardrobe Moves Past Fast Fashion Label

Celebrity-favorite brand sells to department stores.

Women’s clothing brand Naked Wardrobe, based in Northridge, is enjoying a strong start to the year

Flexibility for Franchisers in the New Economy

LIST: My Gym stores come in three models, based on investment and location.

In the early 1990s, when he was considering starting to franchise locations of his children’s fitness center My Gym, Corey Bertisch was surprised at the number of people who wanted to get involved.

Amazon 4-Star Makes SoCal Debut

Glendale store sells only top-rated goods.

Amazon.com Inc. has opened the first Southern California location of its Amazon 4-Star retail concept in the Caruso-built Americana at Brand shopping center in Glendale.

Warehouse Leases More Profitable Than Retail

LIST: Property managers say sentiment is shifting away from malls.

In the property management business, industrial real estate is the most reliable and profitable in the San Fernando Valley.

Software Helps Teams Collaborate

Loomly reports triple-digit growth with remote workers.

Marketing collaboration software developer Loomly finished up last year with triple-digit growth and revenue surpassing $2 million.