A fuzzy investment: Santa Ynez Valley duo deals in llamas and alpacas
Small BusinessAt Alpacas at West Ranch, hundreds of long-necked, fuzzy creatures frolic about and doze under shady trees on a sweltering summer day in the Santa Ynez Valley. Alpacas are often described as just another agribusiness bubble, like emus, llamas, Shetland ponies and tulips before them. But at this Los Olivos ranch, the charm and the Read More →
Flying small: Private jet company grows even in recession
UncategorizedSanta Barbara may have lost its San Jose flight connection, but a start-up charter jet company is getting off the ground and looking to new heights. Santa Barbara-based Silver Air, founded by president and owner Jason Middleton in early 2008, focuses on transporting business and private travelers around in light, fuel-efficient jets. “Most charter companies Read More →
Sale of State St. building second-largest this year
UncategorizedSanta Barbara’s State Street saw its second largest retail sale this year as the former home of Left at Albuquerque was sold. Although the terms of the sale were not disclosed, the 5,753-square-foot building at 700 State St. was listed for $4.1 million. Broker Michael Chenoweth of Radius Group represented the owner and Mike Heisheima Read More →
Editorial: A tasty billion as CKE goes private
OpinionIt’s always hard to swallow the loss of a publicly traded company. But that’s what happened on July 12, when CKE Restaurants went private after tossing in the napkin and agreeing to be gobbled up by an affiliate of Wall Street financier Leon Black’s Apollo Management empire. We’ll take a minute to wish CEO Andy Read More →
Maldonado to keynote Spirit of Small Business Awards
ColumnsI’m really pleased to report that I’ll be welcoming a fellow small business owner to the podium to keynote the 8th Annual Spirit of Small Business Awards luncheon this year on Thursday, Aug. 12. Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado, whose political career I’ve followed with great interest for the past decade, will be this year’s Spirit Read More →
