Daily Business Report — Jan. 31, 2011

Terra Restaurant Moving to La Mesa

After 13 years running Hillcrest’s Terra Restaurant, executive chef and owner Jeff Rossman has had to contend with two major problems — the lack of available parking and its relatively obscure location in a shopping center. “Parking’s a nightmare for everyone. Even our vendors nearly get ticketed for double-parking in the red zone out front,” complains Rossman. “Our current address (on Vermont Avenue) isn’t googleable, GPS-able or easily accessible. How do you find us?”

So what does Rossman do? He finds a new location to plop his popular farm-to-table fare.

On March 20, Rossman will close Terra Restaurant and prepare to relocate to La Mesa, where in April he will open the new Terra American Bistro.

Moving to La Mesa, where there appear to be no farm-to-table restaurants, is part and parcel to Rossman’s quest to bring a larger group — including the next generation — of San Diegans closer to the source of their food. “This is going to sound cliché, but it really is bittersweet,” he says. “I’ve loved being a part of the Hillcrest community for the last 13 years, yet our specific location is not one a person happens by.”

Thirteen years is nearly a lifetime in the world of restaurants and Terra has long needed a facelift, says Rossman, whose fresh, farm-to-table philosophy doesn’t quite mesh with the aged décor of Terra. The new space, located at 7091 El Cajon Blvd., will be entirely earthy, he promises —  reclaimed materials throughout and even a hanging wall garden. The chef will take part in a recycling and composting program, and parking will no longer be a nightmare.  “We’ll have our own damn lot!” he says.

“Thirteen years of commuting from East County and 12 hours per day in the kitchen is making this once spry chef a little too weary,” adds Rossman. “Our landlord increased our rent, so combine that with redesigning the place and it makes more sense to start from scratch. We can more easily expand our efforts to bring fresh, local produce to children with myriad schools in East County.”

Viejas Casino Partners with the California Lottery

The California Lottery and Viejas Casino announced today that they have entered into a groundbreaking exclusive partnership to provide a new link between its MEGA Millions lottery game and related promotions and drawings at Viejas Casino. The cross-promotional agreement marks the first time the California Lottery has partnered with a casino in the state, and will provide lottery players with new ways to win at Viejas Casino, and Viejas Casino guests with new opportunities to win at the lottery, according to Casino General Manager David Williams.

As part of the new MEGA Millions partnership, Viejas Casino will launch several new lottery-themed promotions throughout February, with more than 22,000 winners between Feb. 1 and Feb. 28.

“This partnership takes winning to a whole new level, providing Lottery players and Viejas Casino guests with exciting new ways to win,” said California Lottery spokesman Bill Ainsworth. “Viejas Casino is one of the best-known names in gaming and entertainment in Southern California and we are proud and excited to partner with them.”

Alexander Salazar Fine Art Grows in Downtown

Alexander Salazar Fine Art is taking over 7,000 square feet of Downtown San Diego real estate and dedicating it to art. Salazar has signed a five-year lease at 635 Broadway and 640 Broadway with Eisman Albaum Properties, and another five-year lease at 1040 Seventh Ave. with Tamco Holdings LLC. “I am elated with the new projects and excited to begin this journey,” says Salazar. “ I have been blessed so far to have such an amazing response from artists, collectors and other gallerist both in the community and abroad. I hope those that visit will experience and view the artwork as the artist intended; with passion and with questions.”

Seventh and Broadway in San Diego was transformed into a 2,000-square-foot, high-end art salon featuring the works of national and international mid-career and emerging artists. Salazar has since opened an Artist-in-Residence space at 635 Broadway, in which he donates to struggling artists each month. Upon completion of the residence, the artist has a new opportunity to exhibit his/her artworks. At 1040 Seventh Ave., a 5,000-square-foot space will host both art exhibitions and auctions.

Economic Indicators Rise

The USD Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate’s Index of Leading Economic Indicators for San Diego County rose 0.4 percent in December.  Sharp increases in local stock prices and the outlook for the national economy pushed the USD Index to a second consecutive gain after having been unchanged for three months in a row. On the downside, building permits remain weak as construction activity continues to lag. Local consumer confidence, initial claims for unemployment insurance and help wanted advertising were virtually unchanged, with the former slightly positive and the latter two slightly negative, according to the index.

With December’s gain, the USD Index has now risen or been unchanged for 21 consecutive months. The forecast is for the local economy to add between 10,000 and 15,000 jobs in 2011, compared to 6,300 gained in 2010. The gain is based on expected solid growth in the national economy and a rebound in tourism and construction locally. Potential problems that could slow the rebound are a continued high level of foreclosures and the impact of high unemployment, which has topped 10 percent locally for 19 consecutive months, according to the index. Also, budget deficits at every level of government could lead to tax increases and/or big cutbacks in spending and employment, both of which would slow the economic recovery. December’s increase puts the USD Index at 110.7, up from November’s revised reading of 110.2.

Beach and Sand Project Meeting

Imperial Beach residents will get an opportunity to voice their opinions on the second regional beach sand project during a public meeting Feb. 3 at the Dempsey Holder Safety Center, 950 Ocean Lane, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. In 2001, the initial SANDAG Regional Beach Sand Project spread 2.1 million cubic yards of clean, quality sand over the San Diego beaches. However, natural forces have caused that sand to also erode. The second project is aimed to begin in spring of next year and will once again spread fresh sand over the 60-mile coastline stretching from Oceanside to Imperial Beach. SANDAG is looking to the community for input on this project and requesting participation at the Imperial Beach open meeting. For more, contact SANDAG at (619) 699-0640 or visit sandag.org/shoreline.

Mark Filanc Heads Local General Contractors Group

Mark Filanc, CEO of J.R. Filanc Construction Co. Inc., has been installed as the 66th president of the San Diego chapter of Associated General Contractors of America. Filanc succeeds Diane Keltner, president of Synergy Electric Inc. Other officers installed: Dave Carlin of Soltek Pacific Construction Co., senior vice president; Jeff Turner of Flatiron, vice president; and Brian Jordan of Helix Electric Inc., as secretary/treasurer. Last week’s installation program also include the awarding of Construction Safety Safety Excellence Awards and AGC Member Awards.

Construction Safety Excellence Awards went to: Cox Construction Co., Jaynes Corp. of California, RQ Construction Inc., Barnhart-Balfour Beatty, Flatiron, Johnson, Finch & McClure Construction Co., Dynalectric Co. and Straub Construction Inc.

AGC Member Awards went to: Burch Construction Co. Inc., Ron Meler, R.W. Meler Consulting, Tom Anderson, Bergelectric Corp., Reno Contracting Inc., ROEL Construction Co. Inc., Data Net Solutions Group Inc., T.B. Penick & Sons Inc., Alliant Insurance Services Inc., Richard Anderson, Acme Safety and Supply Co., and Alex Herbert, Data Net Solutions Group Inc.

Convention Center Corp. Names Business Development Head

The San Diego Convention Center Corp. (SDCCC) has named Bess Eberhardt as the director of business development. She will be responsible for developing new markets, products and services for the Convention Center. Prior to joining the SDCCC, Eberhardt worked for SeaWorld San Diego in a variety of sales and marketing roles, most recently as senior marketing manager. She began her career at Atlantis, a five-star dining facility, where she worked in catering sales, specializing in meetings and weddings, as well as managing a high-profile celebrity concert series. Eberhadrt is a member of Meeting Professionals International and the Professional Convention Managers Association. She was named manager of the year by SeaWorld San Diego, and both star of the month and supplier partner of the year by MPI.

Small Business Workshops

SCORE San Diego now offers workshops at a new location — National University in Kearny Mesa. The organization will continue to offer courses at its Downtown office and at National University in Carlsbad. It previously offered courses at Point Loma Nazarene in Mission Valley, but recently moved to the Kearny Mesa location because it needed more room to accommodate increased workshop attendance. Call (619) 557-7272 for more, and visit score-sandiego.org for online registration.

Upcoming Workshops:

• Feb. 2 – Financing Your Business – 9:30 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).

• Feb. 2 – Internet Marketing 201: Build Your Business Through Search Engine Optimization – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University – Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92009; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Feb. 3 – Effective Marketing: Identifying and Targeting Your Customers – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Feb. 4 – Import/Export – 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Feb. 8 – Internet Marketing 304: Cost-Effective Internet Marketing Tools – 9 a.m. to noon at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Feb. 8 – Business Basics 101 – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; No charge – please pre-register).

• Feb. 9 – QuickBooks Basic – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Feb. 9 – Business Plan 101: How to Develop Your Best Competitive Advantage – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University – Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92009; pre-paid registration $79, $89 at the door).

• Feb. 10 – Tax Considerations for Small Business – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).

• Feb. 11 – Legal Issues for Small Business: Organizational Structure – 9 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Feb. 12 – Introduction to Starting Your Own Business – 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Feb. 14 – Customer Service: The Key to Business Success – 9 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $39, $49 at the door).

• Feb. 15 – Financial Statements: What They Mean, How to Use Them – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).

•  Feb. 15 – Marketing for Nonprofits – 9 to 11:30 a.m. at The San Diego Foundation – Liberty Station (2508 Historic Decatur Road, #200, San Diego 92106; pre-paid registration $39, $49 at the door).

• Feb. 16 – Internet Marketing 303: Social Media for Small Businesses – 9 a.m. to noon at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Feb. 18 – Financing Your Business – 9:30 a.m. to noon at National University – Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92009; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).

• Feb. 23 – Business Plan 201: How to Write a Winning Business Plan – 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at National University – Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92009; pre-paid registration $99, $109 at the door).

• Feb. 25 – QuickBooks Advanced – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Feb. 25 – Business Basics 101 – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; No charge – please pre-register).

• Feb. 28 – Restaurant 201 – 9 a.m. to noon at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

North County:

The Business & Entrepreneur Center and the Small Business Development Center at MiraCosta College will offer free upcoming workshops to help businesses succeed. The workshops will be held at Vista City Hall, 200 Civic Center Drive, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the following dates:

Feb. 1: Build a Basic Website for a Business in One Day: Participants will learn how to build a Website in one session including, how to insert videos, links, and pictures. Bring a laptop.

March 1: Increase Sales Using Social Media: Learn how to incorporate social networking into a business.

April 5:  Financing Options for Businesses: Direct lenders and the SBA will discuss financing options for a business.

May 3: Ways to Market A Business: Learn to identify the “right” customer for a business and easy ways to market your business to them.

June 7: Marketing A Business Using Google Tools: Learn how to use Google tools such as ad words, ad sense, Google trends and more.

Bring a lunch to the workshops. Drinks will be provided.

The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of SD METRO, the North Park News, Kensington News and the West Coast Craftsman. (619) 906-4104.