LABJ WEEKLY EDITION
Property Deal Splits Partners
Real Estate: Developer’s terms too much for investor.
Partnership is left with little room for comfort when the two parties vacate apartment deal.
Death of Founder Forces Swift Shift
HEALTH CARE: Sister of CEO to take helm at prosthetic maker.
Sister takes reins at prosthetics maker Swiss Balance after sudden death of founder.
Taking Shine to Branding
Marketing firm helped Tiffany jewelry score role in ‘Great Gatsby.’
Createology helped polish the Tiffany brand by getting its bling cast in “Great Gatsby.
Retirees Seek Bigger Piece of Pie
Husband and wife aim to spin pizza franchise into family business.
Retirees Bob and Judy Fox look to continue to make dough with their Papa Murphy’s pizza shop.
Hot Times For Cold Treat
Yogurt chain Menchie’s continues to pile on franchise locations.
Menchie’s pours it on as the frozen yogurt chain maintains an aggressive expansion pace.
If You Say It, You’ve Got to Play It
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Ben M. Davidson’s friends were surprised to see him quoted in Bloomberg Businessweek’s cover story last month about the collapse of global law firm Howrey.
Regional Report
News and notes from communities across Los Angeles County
Vote of Confidence
ADVERTISING: Engage elected to work for free to assist an Eric Garcetti PAC in order to score future contracts.
Engage: BDR campaigned for future political gigs by working for free on Eric Garcetti’s mayoral campaign.
Investors Guess-ing That It’s Time for Turnaround
APPAREL: But company’s future still tied to prospects of European recovery.
Investors see Guess may be on the road to a turnaround. But its European market is still a problem.
Document Database Eases Paper Chase of Gangs
SOFTWARE: Long Beach police swept up in market expansion by Laserfiche.
Laserfiche continues to seek and find new customers for its document-handling products.
Playa Vista Building May Score Video Game Maker
REAL ESTATE: Riot lease would be market’s largest deal in five years.
Playa Vista office building is in play as the future home of video game company Riot.
Tinseltown Donnybrook As Journos Trade Charges
MEDIA: But Finke’s Deadline comes out big winner in ratings battle.
Show biz journalism took Hollywood spotlight after a rival claimed Deadline.com fired Nikki Finke.
Malibu REIT Files for Offering of $1.2 Billion
Malibu REIT American Homes 4 Rent projected to raise $1.2 billion.
Private Equity Firm Picks Up Acquisition Pace
INVESTMENT: Clearlake buys IT firm and fashion website in two recent deals.
Santa Monica private equity firm Clearlake Capital Group has been putting a new fund to work with two acquisitions announced in recent weeks.
Santa Monica Airline Gets FAA’s OK for Takeoff
TRANSPORTATION: First trip by Surf Air to fly from Burbank to San Carlos.
Surf Air Inc. in Santa Monica has finally gotten the all-clear from the government to begin flying.
News of the Week
Last week’s major news from labusinessjournal.com and other sources
Firm Appeal
Bruce P. Jeffer’s conservative approach over 30 years has turned his law firm into one of L.A.’s most profitable.
Lawyer Bruce P. Jeffer works to catch magic in a bottle as an avid wine collector.
Data Bank
Calendar and Events
Insurer’s Exodus Puts Hit on Park Mile Market
VACANCY: Farmers’ move of HQ to Woodland Hills lifts vacancy to 70 percent.
The departure of Farmers Insurance Group from its longtime Wilshire Boulevard headquarters is a blow to the already struggling Park Mile submarket.
Grounded at Takeoff?
COMMENT
Startup airline Surf Air seemed so promising but now appears likely to be a dud, Charles Crumpley writes.
Hard Lessons on Development
OP-ED: Governor’s approach to funding schools underscores importance of other kinds of economic intervention.
Kofi Sefa-Boakye laments the loss of Community Redevelopment Agencies.
Toll Roads Pay Off Over Long Haul
OP-ED
Matthew Click hopes to steer California toward more toll lanes to drive down traffic.
Clang Clang Clank
Backers split over type of trolley for Miracle Mile rail line
Miracle Mile business interests in conflict over what kind of trolley to use as they prepare to punch the ticket for a new line.
Amazon Raising Stakes in L.A. With Delivery Service
GROCERY: Meat vendor makes the cut as one of first clients.
Huntington Meats hopes Amazon’s new delivery service will beef up its business.
Citrus Partners Peeled Apart
FRUITS: Resnicks, Sun Pacific to take orange feud to food aisle.
Former mandarin orange partners look to show more marketing juice in the supermarket aisle.
Time Expired on Monthly Model?
INTERNET: Investors now cool to subscription e-commerce sites.
Kids’ clothing seller Wittlebee has found investors are no longer sold on the monthly subscription model.
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