Torrance
Plastic Couture:
South Korea-based apparel manufacturer Aioli Co., recently debuted its first U.S. Plastic Island store at the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance. The shop carries Plastic Island-branded handbags, jewelry, and apparel, in addition to a more sophisticated line, Demi Couture by Plastic Island. Aioli is augmenting its U.S. profile as a prelude to an initial public offering. The company opened its first Los Angeles office in Los Angeles less than two years ago and soon after launched two stateside contemporary brands, Plastic Island and McGinn.
El Segundo
Soap Start:
DirecTV, the nation’s number one satellite television provider, will provide soap opera fans a chance to get up close and personal with their favorite cast members from the NBC soap “Passions.” DirecTV will air four weekly episodes of “Passions LIVE,” a new 30-minute live call-in show featuring “Passions” cast members.
Hollywood
Boutique Launch:
Thompson Exchange, also known as TX, has opened a retail store inside the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel at 7000 Hollywood Blvd. In addition to apparel, fashion accessories, home d & #233;cor, and bath and body products, Thompson Exchange also carries several toys and novelty items. Thompson Exchange is the lifestyle boutique division of Thompson Hotels, which owns 60 Thompson in New York, the Hollywood Roosevelt and Gaige House in Sonoma. New developments include Thompson Beverly Hills.
West Covina
Apartment Sale:
Hendricks and Partners, based in Phoenix, has sold its South Hills apartment community in West Covina for $20.7 million. Located at 2900 East Virginia Avenue, the “prairie-style” apartment community was built in 1966 and has 85 units and more than 105,470 rentable square feet of living area. The community is spread out over 5.3 acres and includes 19 structures and a one-story fitness center.
Santa Clarita
Filming Revenue:
The City of Santa Clarita has announced that location filming in the city was at an all-time high in fiscal year 2006-2007. Location filming generated revenue upwards of $21 million in direct economic benefit to various Santa Clarita businesses. The city’s Film Office reported 852 film days, a 26 percent increase over the past year, and the issuance of 311 film permits, an increase of 9 percent from the previous year.
Valencia
Medical Center Acquisition:
U.S. HealthWorks Medical Group, a provider of outpatient occupational health care services, has announced the acquisition of CentrePoint Medical Group, an occupational health care center that offers services ranging from injury and illness diagnosis to drug and alcohol testing. The acquisition is an addition to U.S. Healthworks’ 57 medical centers across California and is at 16630 S. Broadway in Gardena.
Commerce
Store Opening:
99 Cents Only Stores is opening a 16,200-square-foot store at 3110 N. West Avenue at the southeast corner of West Avenue and Shields Avenue. As part of the grand opening celebration, the store will sell nine Apple iPod Nanos for only 99 cents each. The store will offer a variety of merchandise valued above $20 for 99 cents.
Simi Valley
Living Roof:
Rain Master is nearing completion of a central irrigation control system for a complex living roof on top of the California Sciences Academy in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The goal of the roof is to promote a healthier environment and reduce carbon emissions. The irrigation system will use Rain Master’s Advanced Oasis software in order to provide the appropriate amount of water to maintain 1.7 million native California plants and wildflowers spread out over 2.5 acres on the roof.
Jessica Yuan
