Daily Business Report: Thursday, April 24, 2025
Alaska Airlines continues to grow in San Diego with a 30% increase in flights and three new nonstop destinations
By Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines is adding new nonstop routes in San Diego, along with offering additional flights on existing routes and improved flight connectivity – all to give our guests more convenient travel options as San Diego’s leading airline. We’ll launch three new nonstop routes with year-round service between San Diego and Phoenix beginning on Aug. 20, followed by Chicago O’Hare and Denver on Oct. 4. Each route will be served by three daily flights.
Starting Oct. 26, we’ll also add flights to select routes that our guests fly the most from San Diego with an increase in frequencies of 50% or more. That means six daily nonstops to Las Vegas, Sacramento and San Jose, Calif., and three daily flights to Salt Lake City. Tickets for the new routes can be purchased now at alaskaair.com, with the flights for the expanded schedule available for purchase beginning this weekend.
Alaska guests in San Diego also benefit from Mileage Plan – our award-winning, industry-leading loyalty program – with the ability to earn and redeem miles on more than 65% of all international flights to Europe and Asia at San Diego International Airport through our oneworld partners.
California Lawmakers to Consider Vacancy Tax on Commercial Property
By Jill McLaughlin | The Epoch Times
A California state senator is proposing a tax on vacant commercial properties, saying empty buildings and storefronts reduce business vitality, lower tax revenue, and create public nuisances.
Democratic state Sen. Caroline Menjivar of San Fernando Valley authored Senate Bill 789, which will be heard by the Revenue and Taxation committee on April 23. The bill does not specify the amount of the tax.
Menjivar sees the measure as a way to spur economic activity.
“Vacant commercial property represents a missed opportunity for community enrichment,” Menjivar said, according to a legislative analysis of the bill. “Other times they contribute to the neighborhood’s blight and can be areas of nuisance and public safety concerns. These underutilized spaces hold potential as storefronts for local entrepreneurs, innovative workspaces for growing businesses, or mixed-use projects combining housing with commercial amenities.”
Featured Cars at the 2025 La Jolla Concours d’Elegance
By La Jolla Concours d’Elegance
Returning to the sparkling coastline of La Jolla, the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance, proudly presented by LPL Financial, celebrates its 19th year of automotive excellence from Friday, April 25, through Sunday, April 27, 2025. With over 120 meticulously restored automobiles in 11 classes gracing the lawn at Ellen Browning Scripps Park for the main event on Sunday, this year’s Concours highlights an exceptional selection of one-of-a-kind vehicles, along with the iconic mascots that epitomize the innovation and timeless elegance of each marque.

1934 Packard 1101
Originally built for export to Uruguay, this 1934 Packard 1101 was specially commissioned for the president of the country. After years overseas, the vehicle returned to the U.S., where it underwent an extensive restoration by Dennis Sobieski in Chicago. More recently, the classic automobile received another full refresh by Custom Auto Service, under the guidance of renowned restoration expert Robert Escalante. A symbol of prestige and timeless elegance, this Packard represents the pinnacle of luxury automotive craftsmanship from the pre-war era.
1972 Porsche 914-6
A California original, this 1972 Porsche 914-6 GT has had limited ownership and remains one of the most coveted models among Porsche enthusiasts. Impeccably restored by Classic Showcase, no expense was spared in bringing this mid-engine masterpiece to perfection. It is finished in a striking Porsche Shark Blue with a black interior, powered by a 6-cylinder 2.2L engine with Weber carburetors and a 5-speed Porsche 901 side shift transmission. Sitting on Fuchs Turbo Wheels wrapped in Pirelli tires and equipped with a Wilwood brake system, this Porsche is a dream for collectors and performance aficionados alike.
1948 Jaguar Mark IV Drophead Coupe
One of fewer than 400 Mark IV Drophead Coupes produced in 1948, this rare left-hand drive vehicle maintains its original Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate and is recognized as a CCCA Full Classic. With its all-steel coachwork and exquisitely appointed interior, this Jaguar epitomizes the elegance and
refinement that would become hallmarks of the brand. Under the hood, an overhead valve six-cylinder 3.5-liter engine delivers 125 horsepower, mated to a Moss four-speed gearbox.
1903 Oldsmobile “The Spirit of San Diego”
This 1903 Curved Dash Oldsmobile holds a storied legacy as a San Diego County treasure for over 50 years. Earning its moniker “The Spirit of San Diego,” this historic vehicle was shipped across the Atlantic this year to participate in the renowned London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, the world’s longest running motoring event. With restoration assistance from Mike Adams and piloted by James and Gene Train, “The Spirit of San Diego” completed the run in 7 hours and 49 minutes.
1949 Hudson Commodore
A true labor of love, this 1949 Hudson Commodore underwent a full nut-and-bolt, frame-off restoration by Gilbert Buxton of El Cajon, CA, ensuring that every detail was brought back to factory specifications. The car now showcases its original factory paint color and interior, presenting a spectacular example of post-war American automobile craftsmanship.
1969 De Tomaso Mangusta
This 1969 De Tomaso Mangusta, restored over a decade by Bobileff Motorcars of San Diego, is a rare and historically significant Italian sports car. Meaning “mongoose” in Italian—a reference to its ability to defeat a cobra—the Mangusta was initially conceived as a competitor to the Shelby Cobra. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Mangusta boasts an aggressive, mid-engine layout with distinctive gull-wing engine covers. Powered by a Ford V-8 engine paired with a ZF 5-speed transaxle, this striking machine was limited to just 401 units, with only 150 built for the European market.
1954 Kaiser Darrin
One of just 435 ever built, the 1954 Kaiser Darrin is a pioneering American sports car featuring an innovative fiberglass body—predating the Corvette by a full 30 days. Recently completing a four-year frame-off restoration, this example is particularly notable for its unique sliding “pocket” doors that disappear into the front fenders.
1938 Lincoln Model K Twelve
Built as a personal spectator car for Edsel Ford, this 1938 Lincoln Model K Twelve is a one-of-a-kind Judkins Model 1440. It was the last Judkins body ever built, making it an irreplaceable piece of automotive history. The vehicle later became the personal car of J.B. Judkins himself and, after his passing in 1969, was acquired by J.B. and Dorothy Nethercutt, longtime admirers of the vehicle, and has since been restored by the Nethercutt Collection.
1939 Delahaye T-165 V-12 “World’s Fair”
One of only two ever built, the 1939 Delahaye T-165 V-12 “World’s Fair” is a rare and stunning example of French automotive artistry. Chosen by the French Government to represent the nation at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, the car captivated audiences with its sleek, futuristic design and powerful V-12 engine. However, when World War II erupted, the Delahaye became stranded at U.S. customs in New York, where it remained for eight years. In 1947, a Beverly Hills dealer acquired the car and quickly resold it for the then-staggering sum of $12,000. After returning to New York, the car eventually made its way back to California, where it was rediscovered in the 1980s. Now fully restored, this historic and exotic masterpiece continues to turn heads at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
1939 Lincoln Zephyr 3-Window Coupe
Originally sold in Seattle, WA, this meticulously restored vehicle combines timeless design with modern craftsmanship. The restoration, which began in Post Falls, Idaho, included a rebuilt drivetrain, a repainted exterior, and reupholstery by The Recovery Room in Couer d’Alene, upgrading the original fabric pattern to leather. With its rare wing windows, flawless clock, and capability to cruise effortlessly at freeway speeds, this Zephyr exemplifies smooth, rattle-free performance.
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray
The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray introduced significant design and engineering advancements, marking a pivotal moment in Corvette history. Notably, it was the first year Chevrolet offered a coupe body style, featuring the iconic split rear window design, which was unique to the 1963 model year.
This particular 1963 Corvette Coupe, finished in Ermine White with a red vinyl interior, was produced on August 5, 1963, just three days before the production line ceased for the year. According to researched records, this timing suggests it may be the last 1963 Split-Window Ermine White Fuelie built. Originally delivered to Bruder Chevrolet in Hollywood, California, this Corvette has been part of a private collection for the past 14 years and is now set to be entered into the Concours circuit.