Editorial: Don't squeeze the customers
OpinionOn the list of problems that might plague a commercial business district, a fight over parking might be one of the best. After all, if the idea of charging or imposing new restrictions gets any traction, it’s because the area is attracting too many customers for all of them to park conveniently. But even if Read More →
Harbor Freight battle is a father-son feud for the ages
ColumnsDuring the past 15 years, a tool and hardware distributor in Camarillo called Central Purchasing exploded into one of the largest private companies in the Tri-Counties as it exploited new sales channels online, in broadcast media and at 300 retail stores. But as the company, known today as Harbor Freight Tools, saw its revenue soar Read More →
Editorial: How the South Coast can get its own Target
OpinionSomeday, there will actually be a Target store on the South Coast. It’s just too bad it won’t occur in time to help either tax-poor cities or the growing numbers of job seekers in the worst economic times since the Great Depression. In case you missed a flurry of news over the July 18 weekend, Read More →
Parking battle heats up at Ventura Harbor
Small BusinessAt Andria’s Seafood Restaurant and Market in the Ventura Harbor, there’s been an odd quirk in the business this summer: Sales are down by about 10 percent, but not all the time. Manager Frederico Castro said it’s only happening on weekends, and only during the daytime — in other words, only during hours that customers Read More →
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 →
