PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94
THE COAST NEWS
.com MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
VOL. 31, N0. 6
FEB. 10, 2017
SAN MARCOS -NEWS
.com THE VISTA NEWS
.com The Carlsbad Lego studio warehouse, where a large portion of work with Lego bricks, design and animation for the Legoland parks is done, and which is operated by Merlin Entertainments Group, off site from Legoland Park has closed and will consolidate with a facility near Winter Haven, Fla., according to Merlin officials. Courtesy photo
Betsy Harden, a spokeswoman for Whole Foods confirms that the natural foods grocery store will be closing it Encinitas site later this month. Photo by Aaron Burgin
Legoland studio warehouse workers laid off, site to leave Carlsbad
Whole Foods RANCHO to close EncinitasSFNEWS market
By Steve Puterski
CARLSBAD — One of the city’s premier industries has cut staff and will jettison its studio warehouse where a large portion of work with Lego bricks, design and animation for the Legoland parks is done. Merlin Entertainments Group, which operates all of the Legoland facilities worldwide, notified its Carlsbad employees on Jan. 25 it was
closing its studio here and moving it to Florida, according to Legoland California Media Relations Manager Julie Estrada. In addition, 32 employees have been affected, she confirmed. The number of employees working at that site wasn’t disclosed. “All the model builders, designers and animators in California will have the opportunity to apply for positions available at that location,” Es-
trada said. “They are closing the Carlsbad studio and consolidating it to one single hub instead,” she explained. “It’s currently in transition.” The Carlsbad studio location, meanwhile, has always been a closely guarded secret and Estrada said even now she could not disclose the TURN TO LEGO ON A15
Change in flight paths could result in less noise, carbon dioxide emissions By Steve Puterski
SOLANA BEACH — Dozens of residents from San Diego County converged at an elementary school last week for an open house regarding Southern California flight paths hosted by the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA released its findings for its Southern California Metroplex Project, also known as NextGen, which is nearly five years in the making and expected to improve safety and efficiency based on satellite navigation, according to Public Affairs Manager
Ian Gregor. Last week’s presentation covered airports at Camp Pendleton, Carlsbad and San Diego County, among others. Much of Carlsbad’s new routes will commence March 2 and several others will come online April 27. However, numerous Carlsbad residents came to the presentation to research the ongoing issues with Palomar-McClellan Airport and its possible exInbound flights from the north and northwest at Carlsbad’s McClel- pansion. San Diego County, lan-Palomar Airport will change after the Federal Aviation Administration released its findings for the Southern California Metroplex Project last week in Solana Beach. File photo by Steve Puterski
TURN TO FLIGHT PATHS ON A15
By Aaron Burgin
ENCINITAS — The Pacific Station Whole Foods, which debuted fiveand-a-half years ago to a large crowds and a downtown eager for a standalone market, will shut down, the Texas-based chain announced Wednesday. The 23,000-squarefoot market, which was the centerpiece of the mixedused development, will close its doors for good Feb. 22. “As we work to position Whole Foods Market for long-term success, we have carefully evaluated our portfolio of stores to align with a more thoughtful growth strategy,” said Betsy Harden, a spokeswoman for the natural grocery chain. “As a result, we have decided to close the Encinitas store. This was not a decision that was made lightly and we are working closely with all affected team members to
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find alternative positions at nearby stores where possible.” Encinitas business and civic officials reacted with shock when told of the news of the closure. “Wow,” said Thora Guthrie, executive director of Encinitas 101 Main Street Association, the business advocacy group in the city’s downtown. “We’re surprised and disappointed to see Whole Foods go.” Mayor Catherine Blakespear said she was sad to see the business go, but expressed hope that the space would not be vacant for long. The Encinitas location is one of nine nationwide that will be closing as part of the corporate realignment that it announced during its quarterly earnings report. The market, known for its large selection of orTURN TO WHOLE FOODS ON A14
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