| San Diego Business Journal

Constellation Brands to Close Trade Street Ballast Point Brewing Facility

According to a spokesperson for Constellation Brands, the Trade Street R&D brewing facility will “transition over the coming months.”

Company Brings Plenty of Experience to Its First Local Casino Work

ARCHITECT: Respect and Relationships Are Key Part Of Working With Tribes

For over 20 years, Delawie, a San Diego-based architectural firm, had its hands full as the sole architect for Qualcomm Inc. But, following a lawsuit that kept publicly-traded companies from sole-sourcing and instead required them to select via a bidding process in the mid-1990s, Delawie had some time on its hands.

Bike Tour Delivers Customers to Downtown Businesses

For over 30 years, the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition has focused on supporting cyclists and improving biking infrastructure through education and advocacy. But, these days, the SDCBC has a new goal in the works.

Swinerton’s Winning Hand

BUILDING: Co. Cultivates Trust, Dependability and Skill To Win Casino Contracts

In the last few years, an estimated $1 billion has been spent on renovations and expansions of casinos in San Diego County.

Charlotte Russe Plans a Comeback, YM Inc. Confirms

A month after announcing it would be going out of business and closing all of its stores in 44 states and Puerto Rico, San Diego-based Charlotte Russe Holdings Corp. tweeted on April 11 that it plans on re-opening 100 retail locations.

Tijuana International Airport Gets $95.3 Million Renovation

The five-year renovation on the Tijuana International Airport took place to better accommodate the increase in passenger traffic due to the Cross Broder Xpress, a pedestrian skybridge that connects passengers traveling through TIJ to and from a terminal in San Diego.

Charlotte Russe Plans a Comeback, YM Inc. Confirms

Jasna Brtan, vice president of human resources at YM Inc., the Toronto, Canada-based company that acquired Charlotte Russe in March, confirmed the tweet via email.

Niche Role Suits Independent Theater

Despite a growing trend in the movie theater industry toward the high-end and flashy, Encinitas La Paloma Theatre, one of few single-screen, independent movie houses in San Diego, stays chugging along.

Stone Brewing Co. to Close Berlin Brewery

The new owners of the Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens - Berlin will be Brewdog, longtime friends of Stone Brewing Co. and headquartered in Scotland.

Coming Attractions Vital At High-End Theaters

CINEMA: Innovation Is a Must In Competitive Media Sector

The high-end movie theater trend isn’t new.

PriceSmart’s March Merchandise Sales Up 0.1%

For the seven months ended March 31, 2019, net merchandise sales increased 0.3 percent to $1,829.1 million from $1,823.3 million in March a year earlier, according to a news release.

Malls Seek to Be More Than Just Shopping Stops

Last month, The Forum Carlsbad became San Diego County’s first location to add a Luckey Climbers play structure to its mall space.

Museum of Beer to Open in San Diego

The approximate 12,000 square foot space will also feature a beer garden, an artisanal pizza kitchen and a tasting room that will feature beers from members of the San Diego Brewers Guild.

Brooklyn Girl Eatery Closes

According to a Facebook post, Sunday March 31st was the last day Brooklyn Girl Eatery opened to the public.

Fairs, Festivals and Horses Have Good Runs at Fairgrounds

ECONOMY

When the Del Mar Fairgrounds comes to mind, one may immediately think of horse races or the San Diego County Fair. And, rightfully so, as these are two of the biggest events the fairgrounds hosts each year, with 1.5 million attendees expected this year for the former and almost three million attendees for the latter.

CBRE's New Senior Vice President to be Based in San Diego

According to a news release, Kristina Metzger will be based in the company’s San Diego office.

NBC 7 and Telemundo 20 Appoint New President

Todd Mokhtari will replace Dick Kelley, who is retiring, as president and general manager of NBC 7 and Telemundo 20 in San Diego, according to a press release.

Target Sets Up Shop

Small Concept Store Took Steps To Find a Fit in Community

Standard Target stores are usually about 130,000 square feet in size. But, when the company’s executives saw a relatively smaller building in North Park, formerly known as Wang’s North Park Restaurant, they knew a reduced Target would be the right fit for the urban neighborhood.

Looking for Something New?

Even when it comes to stationary bikes, the San Diego scene is not standing still. We check in on some newcomers around the county including a great place to work up a hunger and a great place to feed that need.

Cannabis Products Co. Acquired By Canadian Company

SDC, a San Diego-based cannabis consumer product goods company, has been acquired for $27 million by Next Green Wave, headquartered in Canada. According to a news release, the company has been rebranded as WeareSDC and, as part of the transaction all members of the SDC team will lead the Next Green Wave extraction and manufacturing unit.

Miami Firm Acquires Marriott Mission Valley

The 353-room San Diego Marriott Mission Valley has been acquired by Miami, Florida-based Driftwood Acquisitions and Development for $85.7 million. Driftwood, a privately held investment firm, plans to develop a second hotel on the same site to open in 2021, according to a news release.

Coffee Co. Cultivates Direct Trade Ties

RETAIL: Owner Makes Deals With Farmers, Also Does Own Roasting

It was a conversation with a very candid customer in the early 1990s that set Jeff Taylor, president and co-owner of Bird Rock Coffee Roasters Inc., out to find the best coffee in the world.

Marriott Mission Valley Acquired by Miami-Based Investment Firm

Built in 1988, the Marriott Mission Valley hotel’s common areas were renovated in 2017.

Big Games Bring $75M

The San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl generated a huge economic impact in the county in 2018, according to a report prepared by San Diego State University Center for Hospitality and Tourism Research.

Facilities, Food and Setting Give Event Space Selling Points

HOSPITALITY: Having Venue and Catering Changes Price Dynamic

When chef Nick Brune noticed a void in the San Diego event space market, he decided to expand his organic food catering business, Eco Caters, and open up private venues of his own.

Urban Solace Restaurants Shut Down

Chef and owner Matt Gordon announced earlier this month on Facebook that Urban Solace restaurant, in North Park, and Solace & Moonlight Lounge, in Encinitas, will close their doors.

SDC Cannabis Company Acquired by Canada’s Next Green Wave

According to a press release, SDC has been rebranded as WeareSDC and, as part of the transaction, all members of the SDC team will immediately become the head of the Next Green Wave extraction and manufacturing unit.

Second Generation Keeps Eateries Current

DINING: Restaurant Group Sees Revenue of $8M – $12M

Well before San Diego’s Little Italy became a hotspot in the early 2000s, Joe Busalacchi, founder and president of Busalacchi Restaurants, saw its potential.

San Diego Voted 7th Worst City for First-Time Home Buyers

The ranking for the best and worst metro cities for first-time home buyers list by Bankrate, which looked at the 50 largest metro areas, was based on affordability, culture, housing market tightness, job market and safety, among other measures.

Grandesign, San Diego-Based Ad Agency, Acquired by UK Media Company

According to a press release, UK’s Talon, an out-of-home media company, recently acquired the advertising and experiential agency and will change all of Grandesign’s traditional offices to the Talon name.

Three San Diego Breweries Make Top Producing Craft Breweries List

Stone Brewing Co. entered the Brewers Association annual list of the top 50 producing craft brewing companies in the U.s. at No. 9, Karl Strauss Brewing Co. came in at No. 40 and Modern Times Beer took the No. 45 spot.

Good Distribution and Bad Hangovers Help Magic Bullet With Sales

Admittedly, Joe Edwards and Didi Edwards enjoy a good libation. But, like most drinkers, they don’t care for the hangover that can follow the morning after.

Cooking Skills, Consulting Prowess Serve His Customers

As a child growing up in Montreal, Canada, chef and restaurateur Ken Irvine aspired to be a tuna fisherman.

First California-Grown Coffee Tasting At Bird Rock Coffee Roasters

In partnership with Frinj Coffee, San Diego-based Bird Rock Coffee Roasters held a tasting of the first California-grown coffee in San Diego earlier this month. The varietal, a certified organic Cuicateco which scored a 92 from Coffee Review, was available in limited supply, according to a news release, and coffee roasters have plans to provide more beans in coming months.

Charlotte Russe Going Out Of Business

San Diego-based Charlotte Russe is officially going out of business and closing all stores across 44 states and Puerto Rico.

San Diego Foundation Names New President and CEO

Previously, Stuart worked as chief development & membership officer of San Diego Zoo Global, president of the foundation of San Diego Zoo Global

Big Games: SDCCU Holiday Bowl, Notre Dame-Navy Game Bring $75M Economic Impact

The Dec. 31 SDCCU Holiday Bowl game created a record impact...

S.D. County Bar Association Appoints New Executive Director

Jill Epstein was selected following a five-month national search.

Urban Solace Restaurants to Shut Down

Urban Solace, located on 30th street, opened in 2006 and Solace & Moonlight Lounge, launched in 2011

What’s Cooking In Oceanside?

Dining: Foodie Scene Expands In Affordable, Welcoming Town

A hospitality renaissance of sorts kicked off in Oceanside with the opening of places like Harney Sushi, 333 Pacific and Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen starting around 2011.

First California-Grown Coffee Tasting at Bird Rock Coffee Roasters

The varietal, a certified organic Cuicateco which scored a 92 from Coffee Review earlier this month, was available in limited supply, according to a press release, with plans to provide more beans in coming months.

Casino Renovations Are Game Changers

GAMING: Sector Moves Its Focus to Resort-Style Amenities

In the last few years, casinos in and around San Diego County have collectively invested north of $1 billion to revamp and/or expand their properties. According to tribal representatives and experts in the gaming industry, this is all in an effort to evolve from mono-dimensional gaming facilities to multi-dimensional, full-service resort models in order to better serve already-established guests and potentially gain new ones.

Charlotte Russe Is Going Out of Business

According to a press release, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge approved an order naming SB360 Capital Partners as agents of the liquidation.

Map to State’s Culinary Stars Will Be in Michelin Guide

Michelin and Visit California have teamed up for a one-of-a-kind Michelin Guide expansion: the Michelin Guide California 2019.

Restaurant Group Stays Hands On

Food: GBOD to Expand On Its Successful Concepts

Although Raymond Davoudi, founder of GBOD Hospitality Group, grew up in the food service business, he learned the hard way that familiarity doesn’t necessarily breed success.