Daily Business Report-April 4, 2016
The Barons Market in Murrieta was opened in January.
Barons Market Coming to North Park
Family-owned market will open seventh
location in winter 2016
Barons Market, a locally owned all-natural grocery store, announced that it will open a seventh location on the site formerly occupied by Fresh & Easy at 3231 University Ave.
The announcement comes on the heels of the grand opening of Barons’ sixth location in Murrieta earlier this year. According to Barons, the anticipated opening this winter marks the first time the market has opened two locations in one year.
“Barons Market and North Park are a match made in food heaven,” says Vice President of Marketing Rachel Shemirani. “We stock our shelves with good food, craft beer and locally grown produce — all things that the North Park community values. As a family-owned business founded in San Diego, this location feels like coming home.”
The newest location will feature iconic Barons Market qualities, such as:
• Olive oil and vinegar bar — the only grocery store chain in California with this feature.
• Hot soup bar, fresh salad bar and antipasto bar.
• Collaboration with local farms to bring customers the best quality and freshest produce.
• Products that cost 25 to 30 percent less than traditional supermarkets. No gimmicks, no sales, and no club cards. Just everyday low prices.
• More than 400 microbrews, making Barons the go-to craft beer store in Southern California.
In North Park, Barons will collaborate with Architect John Ziebarth and Interior Designer Julie Dugas of Studio H2G to transform the 15,000-square-foot space into a modern-day grocery store with style to complement the neighborhood’s character. Dugas has designed each of the six existing Barons Markets and promises that no two stores look the same.
“Dugas and Studio H2G create shopping experiences reflective of the communities we call home,” says Shemirani. “For our premiere market in an urban Southern California location, we envision the North Park store to reflect the energetic and artistic character of the community — something that you wouldn’t normally see when you go grocery shopping.”
With the new location, Barons plans to bring approximately 30 jobs to the community, for which it will prioritize hiring locally from North Park.
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Lecture Series Honors Scripps
Climate Science for Earth Month 2016
The University of California, San Diego Library will hold a series of events this April in recognition of Earth Month 2016. The Climate Change at the Crossroads series salutes renowned climate scientists at the university’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography with three events that will shed light on different facets of climate change, including the need for a unified disciplinary approach, the impact of deceptive campaigns to confuse the public, and the importance of clear and accurate scientific communications. All events are free and open to the public, and will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in the Seuss Room in Geisel Library.
The series will kick off on Wednesday, April 6, with a talk by Veerabhadran Ramanathan, distinguished professor of atmospheric and climate sciences at Scripps, on Bending the Curve of Climate Change: Why Do We Need an Alliance Between Science, Religion & Policy?
Ramanathan is known for his pioneering research on climate change and climate change mitigation, and was the first scientist to identify particulate black carbon as the second-largest human contributor to global warming after CO2.
On Thursday, April 21, Lynn Russell, a Scripps Oceanography professor of atmospheric chemistry and Ellie Farahani, executive director of Scripps’ Climate Science & Policy Master’s program, will present “Merchants of Doubt” and its Legacy for Climate Science and Policy.
On Thursday, April 28, climate scientist and communicator Richard Somerville will present the last event in the series, Climate Change: Strong Science, Forceful Actions, Positive Outcomes. A distinguished professor emeritus at Scripps, Somerville has made fundamental contributions to the understanding of the key physical processes that fuel climate change.
SeaWorld Urges President Obama
To Help Stop Japanese Whaling
By City News Service
SeaWorld’s corporate parent wants President Barack Obama and the U.S. government to put pressure on Japan to shut down the commercial whaling industry in that country.
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment President and CEO Joel Manby and Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, signed a letter sent to Obama.
“During the last several years, Japan has flouted international law and world opinion concerning whaling, without any meaningful diplomatic consequences, and the situation is getting worse,” the letter says.
“The United States is well-positioned to lead a comprehensive effort to persuade Japan to abandon commercial whaling as an anachronism that is imprudent, unnecessary for food security and economically unsound.”
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is in Washington, D.C., for the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit.
In the letter, Manby and Pacelle recommend that the U.S. government take a stronger stand against whaling during the International Whaling Commission meeting in October; advance the case against whaling in all trade agreements; and that the U.S. Commerce Department carry out an extensive survey of Japan’s assets to prepare for a new certification in relation to the federal Pelly Amendment, which involves fish protection.
SeaWorld announced last month that it will no longer breed killer whales in captivity.
Longtime San Diego Restaurant
Owner Expands With Franchises
Times of San Diego
A San Diego businessman is taking his restaurant concept the next level.
Avi Gerassi, founder of Pastalini Restaurant Group in Miramar, recently announced it plans to franchise into 31 states. The franchise will be available to prospective business owners in states such as Alaska, Massachusetts and Colorado.
Pastalini, which opened its first location in 2008, is popular for its “pasta your way” concept where customers choose the ingredients for their own pasta and see it made in front of them. The restaurant also offers pizza, panini, calzones and salads.
Gerassi, who used to work in the video gaming industry, said he opened the restaurant after deciding he wanted to do something more fulfilling.
“I thought Pastalini would be a great concept,” said Gerassi, who lives in Scripps Ranch with his wife and four children. “Pasta is a comfort food for everybody. It can be done very simply or elevated depending on how you want it. I wanted to bring something that would have healthy options at an affordable price so that any family could come.”
And, his restaurant has thrived in the last eight years. Gerassi said that success is due to hardwork and honesty.
“I’m staying honest to what I do,” Gerassi said. “I’m not trying to sell any gimmicks. I’m just selling good, wholesome food that tastes delicious. I knew that if I wasn’t going to give all my heart into this business, I wasn’t going to make it.”
Now, Gerassi hopes he’ll sell the first franchise in six to eight months in Southern California. In five years, he hopes to have about 12 other locations selling “pasta your way.”
RAF Pacifica Group Acquires 16
Industrial Buildings in County
Newly formed RAF Pacifica Group has acquired a 277,040 square-foot portfolio consisting of 16 individual buildings throughout six multi-tenant industrial business parks in San Diego County. The acquisition price was not disclosed. All buildings are 100 percent occupied.
The acquisition consists of six fully-occupied projects with a total of 87 tenants. The six projects are Carroll Way Industrial Park, Rancho Pacifica Business Center, Sorrento Mesa Commerce Center, Enterprise Business Center, Oceanside Business Park I and Oceanside Business Park II.
RAF Pacifica Group purchased four of the six projects from a private international real estate investment firm, and the remaining two projects — Oceanside Business Parks I & II — from a private owner. CJ Stos of Stos Partners is a partner with RAF Pacifica Group in the transaction.
“This portfolio is a rare find in the market,” explains Adam Robinson, Principal of RAF Pacifica Group. “The current market for quality industrial products is extremely competitive in the San Diego area.
Aboard the USS America
Stu Hedley, a retired Navy chief petty officer, World War II veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor, salutes the ensign during colors with the Chief’s Mess aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America. Hedley came aboard to share his story and celebrate the 123rd chief petty officer birthday. America is an aviation centric amphibious assault ship. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Scorza)
