Move sues after Realtor.com chief leaves for rival Zillow
By Staff Report / Tuesday, March 18th, 2014 / Banking & Finance, Law & Goverment, Real Estate, Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Public Companies / Comments Off on Move sues after Realtor.com chief leaves for rival Zillow
Move Inc., operator of Realtor.com, has sued a former employee and much-larger competitor Zillow, alleging theft of trade secrets.
Zhena’s Gypsy Tea founder to keynote Top Women awards
By Staff Report / Friday, March 14th, 2014 / Top Stories, Women Inc. / Comments Off on Zhena’s Gypsy Tea founder to keynote Top Women awards

The Pacific Coast Business Times will celebrate its eighth class of outstanding tri-county business women at an April 17 event featuring keynote speaker Zhena Muzyka, founder of Zhena’s Gypsy Tea.
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.