Bain Capital debt strikes sour note at Guitar Center
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, March 14th, 2014 / Banking & Finance, Central Coast, East Ventura County, Green Coast, Real Estate, South Coast, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, West Ventura County / Comments Off on Bain Capital debt strikes sour note at Guitar Center

With rumors swirling of an ownership change at debt-laden Guitar Center, all eyes will be on whether the Westlake Village-based company reversed its sagging online sales over the critical holiday season.
Artificial pancreas trials move forward with $2.3M grant
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, March 14th, 2014 / Health Care & Life Science, Nonprofits, South Coast, Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Artificial pancreas trials move forward with $2.3M grant
With $2.3 million in recent federal funding, Sansum Diabetes Research Institute is moving forward with clinical trials of its artificial pancreas, a device that researchers hope will substantially improve the lives of people living with Type 1 diabetes.

As big-box firms slash stores, uncertainty for Tri-Counties
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, March 14th, 2014 / Central Coast, East Ventura County, Green Coast, Real Estate, South Coast, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, West Ventura County / Comments Off on As big-box firms slash stores, uncertainty for Tri-Counties

Radio Shack plans to close up 1,100 stores around the U.S. and Staples, the largest office-supplies company in the U.S., said it would shutter 225 stores nationwide in a plan to cut costs by $500 million.

Big firms check in to Santa Barbara hotel boom
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, March 14th, 2014 / Real Estate, South Coast, Top Stories, Tourism, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Big firms check in to Santa Barbara hotel boom

A Philadelphia company’s $41.7 million purchase of Hotel Oceana in Santa Barbara signals that large out-of-town investors are betting on a major boom in South Coast tourism.
Angling for change: Bren School startup serves up new model for sustainable seafood
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, March 14th, 2014 / Agribusiness, Green Coast, Small Business, South Coast, Top Stories, Women Inc. / 1 Comment

A team of UCSB graduate students has created an online marketplace where restaurants and fishermen can connect directly to buy sustainable, traceable seafood.
Sonos discloses $535M in revenue
By Staff Report / Wednesday, March 12th, 2014 / Technology, Top Stories / Comments Off on Sonos discloses $535M in revenue

In a rare financial disclosure, Santa Barbara audio firm Sonos has disclosed that its 2013 revenue was $535 million and that total sales doubled during the past year.
Santa Maria chamber CEO Bob Hatch to retire
By Staff Report / Tuesday, March 11th, 2014 / Central Coast, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Santa Maria chamber CEO Bob Hatch to retire

Bob Hatch is retiring after 20 years as president and CEO of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, the largest business group in North Santa Barbara County.