| San Diego Business Journal

Group Effort Has Kept Comic-Con In San Diego

TOURISM: Convention Center Expansion Still Appears to Be a Must

Thanks to efforts from Comic-Con International the San Diego Convention Center Corp., and other local groups, Comic-Con recently announced that it has extend its agreement at the convention center through 2024.

Century Club Names New CEO of Farmers Insurance Open

According to a press release, Marty Gorsich, who joined the Century Club April 2012 and has served as COO since 2016, will replace Peter Ripa, who will leave Century Club at the end of July after eight years as CEO.

SANDAG, Navy to Explore Mass Transit Options for Airport

Old Town Property Could Accommodate Both Transit, Navy Needs

An agreement between the Navy Region Southwest and the San Diego Association of Governments has been signed that could potentially bring greatly improved public transportation to the San Diego International Airport.

Integrity Bottles Taps Its Niche Market With Amazon’s Help

Company. Forecasts More Than $1 Million in Revenue for 2019

The Navy was where Zachary Lewis launched his military career as a special worker. It was also where he kicked off his side hustle turned main hustle: Integrity Bottles.

PlantBased PopUP Feeds Mind & Body

Clients Want Experiences; Restaurants Get a Draw For New Customers

As San Diego continues to be touted as one of America’s top foodie cities, restauranteurs and chefs around town are staying innovative in order to keep the offerings...

In Age of Amazon, Swap Meet Looks to Make Events Special

Goal Is to Have Event Each Month to Stop or Stabilize Revenue Decline

In the face of online retailers like ebay and Amazon and big-box retailers like Target and Walmart, San Diego’s Kobey’s Swap Meet is reinventing itself in order to stay in the game.

Woodstock’s Pizza Names New Chief Operating Officer

Woodstock’s Pizza was founded in 1978 and is co-owned by Jeff and Laura Ambrose.

Frontier Airlines Adds Low-Cost Nonstop Flight from San Diego to Phoenix

According to the press release, Frontier Airlines' new service from San Diego to Phoenix starts Nov. 14, from Monday-Saturday and will have an introductory fare of approximately $29.

QDOBA Appoints New Corporate Executive Chef

According to a press release, Katy Velazquez most-recently worked as the creative executive chef of Puesto, a local modern Mexican restaurant chain, before joining QDOBA.

Wave Machine Business Has Momentum

RECREATION: Local Cos. Look for the Right Artificial Waves to Draw Customers

With the growing popularity of surfing as a sport and the advancement of manmade surfing technologies in recent years, experts in the industry predict surf parks are going to be everywhere in the near future.

PriceSmart Reports Profit of $14.1 Million in Third Quarter

According to the release, the company had profit of 46 cents per share and earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, were 55 cents per share.

ACC Adds San Diego to Bowl Destination for 2020-2025

According to the press release, the conference will now send a team to the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl.

Airport Is One Step Closer to Mass Transit Option

A collaboration between the U.S. Navy and SANDAG, the San Diego Association of Governments, will allow the parties to explore possible options for redevelopment of the Naval Base Point Loma Old Town Campus, near San Diego International Airport.

South Pacific Tuna Corp. to Sell Over Half of U.S. Fishing Vessels

According to a press release, the sale will bring the company’s fleet down to six by the end of 2019 and reduce production by 70,000 tons of tuna.

Harvesting Tools Aim At Cannabis Market

MANUFACTURING: Co. Forecasts $12 Million in Revenue for 2019

Cullen Raichart has always had a knack for mechanics and machinery. As a teenager, he remembers helping his dad solve a problem he had with a machine by taking a part out of another machine and putting them together.

Healthy Times to Expand Distribution in Canada

According to a press release, Healthy Times is also launching two new products, including an organic baby teether and snack pack versions of its Hugga Bear Cookies.

Thirty Three Threads Sock and Accessories Company Signs Distribution Deal

According to a press release, Thirty Three Threads will now sell Salt & Honey’s microfiber grip products via more than 4,000 accounts in the United States and Canada as a result of the agreement.

Innovative Industrial Properties Inc. Acquires Michigan Property

The purchase price for the industrial space was approximately $4.8 million.

Jack in the Box Inc. Completes Sale of $1.3 Billion in Bonds

As per the purchase agreement, the Master Issuer is allowed to borrow up to $150 million of its Series 2019-1 Class A-1 notes on a revolving basis.

Robot Ice Cream Vendors Bring In $16M in FY2019

TECHNOLOGY: For Reis & Irvy’s, Disruption Is Dish Best Served Cold

A developer of robotics, automation and AI technologies, San Diego-based Generation NEXT Franchise Brands Inc. is the parent company to Reis & Irvy’s Inc.

Iron Fist Brewing’s Lager Shines at Walmart’s Open Call

San Marcos-Based American Agave Expects To Be in Store in 2020

San Diego-based San Diego-based Iron Fist Brewing Co. has got the magic touch, as well as the right product, according to <Walmart.Iron Fist Brewing Co. has got the magic touch, as well as the right product, according to Walmart.

SAN Is First Airport In Nation to Install Battery Energy Storage System

SUSTAINABILITY: Energy Usage Data Will Decide Optimal Charge, And Discharge Times

San Diego International Airport has become the first airport in the United States to install a battery energy storage system.

Valley View Casino Unveils $50 Million Expansion

18 Month Project Brings More Restaurant, Casino And Gathering Space

San Diego’s Valley View Casino & Hotel has completed its 18-month-long $50 million expansion. Founded in 2001, the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians’ casino, located just east of Escondido and south of Temecula, held a ribbon cutting ceremony July 3 for the unveiling, according to the casino.

Jack in the Box Inc. Securitization Priced at $1.3 Billion

According to a press release, the 2019 bonds, or Notes, are expected to be issued in a privately placed securitization transaction.

Swoop Airlines to Fly To and From San Diego This Winter

According to a press release, Swoop has added three times weekly service (Thursday, Friday and Sunday) between San Diego International Airport and both Edmonton International Airport and Abbotsford International Airport.

Whether Owning or Operating, RMD Knows Nightlife, Dining

DINING: 2 Openings Set for Summer; Forecasts $36M in 2019

The saying goes: “Let your work speak for itself.” For Mike Georgopoulos, managing partner at RMD Group, a San Diego-based restaurant and nightlife management, consulting and development company, it has been this very motto that has kept his business steadily growing since launching in 2008.

Valley View Casino & Hotel to Unveil $50 Million Expansion

The San Pasqual Band of Mission Indian’s casino, located just east of Escondido and south of Temecula, will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 3 for the unveiling, according to a press release.

QDOBA Named Best Fast Casual Restaurant by USA TODAY Voters

According to a press release, the vote is made by people from across the United States.

San Diego International First Airport in U.S. to Install Energy Storage System

According to a press release, the 2 MW/4 MWH ENGIE GridSynergy Storage system will “reduce energy charges during peak demand which equate to approximately 40 percent of the airport’s monthly electricity costs.”

Rooftop Venues Have Star Qualities

From Museums to Bars, The Returns Can Be High For Those at the Top

When the team behind 10 Barrel Brewing Co. began contemplating the design of their 10,000 square foot East Village space a little over two years ago, one of the first thoughts that crossed their minds was to incorporate an often untapped and underused aspect of the city’s buildings: the rooftop.

Climate, Conditions and Culture Right For S.D. Festival Scene

ENTERTAINMENT: Tourism Marketing District Backs Events; 3-Day Festival Set for November

“We expect to sell this thing out.” That’s what Ernie Hahn, co-founder of San Diego’s Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival (and general manager at Pechanga Arena), answered.

Dinsmore Hires New Litigation Partner Christopher Lyon for San Diego Office

Christopher Lyon is the firm’s third litigation partner in San Diego, according to a press release.

Vera Bradley Acquires 75% Stake in Pura Vida

According to a news release, the purchase price is $75 million in cash and up to $22.5 million in incremental earnout.

Beaming Wellness Merges with San Francisco-Based Project Juice

According to a press release, while both restaurants will operate separately for now, the merger makes the combined businesses California’s largest organic and plant-based quick-serve company.

Uber Planning Food Delivery By Drones This Summer

San Diego’s Juniper & Ivy Will Have Burger on Menu

Food delivery in San Diego will no longer be limited to couriers in vehicles or on motor bikes. The drones are coming.

Addison ‘Honored’ To Receive Michelin Star

William Bradley Takes Only Star Given in the County

San Diego restaurant, Addison, recipient of Michelin star.

Jack Announces Refinancing Transactions

San Diego-Based Chain Plans to Sell Bonds

Jack in the Box Inc. announces a new $1.45 billion securitized financing facility.

San Diego Company Lands Deal with Walmart Through Open Call Initiative

According to a release, because of the on-the-spot deals, select Walmart stores will begin carrying products by Iron Fist in coming months.

Curriculum Promoting Social Harmony Expands With Gift

EDUCATION: Local Banker’s Big Donation Pays Dividends at School

Since receiving a landmark $100 million gift from philanthropist and La Jolla resident T. Denny Sanford in 2018, San Diego-based National University System has continued to grow its Sanford Harmony program both locally and globally.

The Cado Pop-Up Set to Open Late June

Originally scheduled to launch last year, tickets are now available for The Cado starting June 27 through September 22, according to its website.

Chuze Fitness Brings In $59M in 2018

SPORT: Hospitality, Tiered Pricing System Pay Off

For Cory Brightwell, CEO of the San Diego-based Chuze Fitness chain, with seven locations locally and 26 throughout the Southwest, what has kept the company steadily growing the past 11 years has been one thing: its focus on the guest experience.

Zovio Inc. Announces Expected Layoffs in WARN Filing

Formerly known as Bridgepoint Education, Zovio Inc. could lay off up to 248 employees.

International Smoke Sees Right Ingredients For S.D. Location

New Eatery Appreciates Foodie Reputation, Access to Quality Foods

Ayesha Curry isn’t letting recent bad publicity — or her husband, NBA Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry’s highly-anticipated NBA Finals run — distract her from growing her booming food business.

Jack in the Box Inc. Announces Refinancing Transactions

According a news release, the senior credit facility is comprised of an outstanding term loan of $315 million and revolving credit facility of $739.4 million.

Battle of the Beers Reveals Some Strong Local Breweries

State Fair Beer Competition Provides Chance to Standout

The local craft beer scene may be oversaturated. But, the good news is that just means there are plenty of really good San Diego-brewed offerings to choose from.

USD Faculty to Travel To Mexico to Teach Leadership Program

First Time USD Degree To Be Offered Outside The United States

The University of San Diego School of Business has teamed up with Centro de Ensenanza Tecnica y Superior (CETYS) to offer CETYS University graduate students the opportunity to obtain the USD Master of Science in Global Leadership degree in conjunction with an MBA from CETYS at their campus in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico.

FOOD: Avocado-Centric Fare Powers Strong Growth

For Gabriel Perez Krieb, CEO of San Diego-based Chosen Foods, it was a no-brainer to step in and acquire parts of the avocado oil company as soon as that became an option…. twice.

Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurants to Close Mission Valley Location

Approximately 79 employees, including 12 hosts and 26 servers, will be terminated as a result.

Mariel Concepcion

Staff Reporter

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