LA HABRA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
BusinessJournal When I say “good,” you say “neighbor.”
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Each year the Chamber presents community Awards to deserving people and businesses. If you have a person or business you would like to nominate, you can download the form on the Chamber web site www. lahabrachamber.com and look for Award Nomination Form. Deadline is July 11, 2014.
Keeping our community in touch with business in La Habra...
See La Habra Biz Buzz by Dawn Holthauser Page 8
VOL 1 No 4 | Summer 2014
LA HABRA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
BusinessJournal Northgate Market’s Extreme Makeover
By Mark Sturdevant
Northgate Market is ready for an extreme makeover. What looks like a mission style design, the new look will showcase a variety of fresh foods and products throughout the store. Construction to begin this July and expected to be completed by the end of this year. The following was taken from a staff report to the City Council: On August
14, 1964, a building permit was issued for the construction of a market (Alpha Beta). Northgate Market began operations on March 9, 1986. The market is located within the La Habra Plaza Commercial Shopping Center. The shopping center consists of six different parcels totaling 3.93 acres and has a combined total of 12 suites containing a variety of retail uses. Northgate Market is the largest tenant and currently occupies 18,300 square feet. The mar-
ket proposes to expand into a 10,755 square feet portion of tenant space immediately adjacent to the market, previously occupied by St. Vincent De Paul, and to construct a new 860 square foot loading dock area. The completed market will total 29,055 square feet. The additional area will allow for a more efficient loading area, the additional shelving for food products, a new bakery, tortilla production area, and a delicatessen area for the preparation of
a number of hot and cold food items that can be purchased for take-out or on-site consumption. An indoor seating area adjacent to the delicatessen will consist of 28 seats. The store operates seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. with summer hours from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The store anticipates having 150 full time employees at the completion of construction, an addition of 44 employees overall.
McDonalds Starting Over with a New La Habra Restaurant By Mark Sturdevant
The original McDonald’s restaurant was constructed in 1963. Throughout the years, a patio area was enclosed in 1970, a drive-thru window added in 1989. This location sold millions and millions of burgers over the last 51 years and served the community well. Now it is time to bring it up to date. The elevations feature modernist style architecture and utilize earth tone colors and stacked stone finishes with yellow and white highlights. The sign program also includes an 8-foot high freestanding sign at the southwest corner of the site. The new restaurant is expected to be completed this Fall.
Palos Verdes Estates’ new chief
The Chamber Presents Scholarships The La Habra Chamber of Commerce presented three $500 scholarships students with business majors from all three High Schools. Celeste Badillo from Sonora High School (pictured here with Dawn Holthauser). Julia Joseph from Whittier Christian High School and Crystal Hernandez from La Habra High School to support each other through collaboration, featured speakers and spotlighting their business. It’s all included in membership. We allow non-members to participate for a nominal meeting fee.
photo courtesy Chief Jeff Kepley
Former La Habra Police Captain Jeff Kepley, assumes command in Palos Verdes Estates as its Chief of Police. He also served on the La Habra Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. We wish Chief Kepley well on his new post.
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A WORD FROM THE CHAIR
Treating Employees with Dignity
By Joyce Miriam Brooks, Ph.D. Board Chair of the La Habra Chamber of Commerce
One way businesses bless the local community is by supplying employment opportunities. Yet providing a means to earn a living is not enough to truly benefit the workforce. Employees will only be fully blessed if they also feel valued for the contribution they make to the well-being of the company. A large salary will not make up for a toxic work environment: anger, ridicule, coarse language and harassment can make the workplace a painful place to be. Even less innocuous actions can demoralize employees. For example, when management operates from a pervasive attitude that ignores the needs of its workers, disregards their opinions, and takes credit for what their employees have done, job satisfaction plummets. Of course it is appropriate that supervisors fulfill their role to determine policy, make decisions, set standards, and measure performance. And not every idea generated by an employee is helpful: in theory, at least, managers have a more global perspective and so may be better situated to discern what suggestions to embrace. And yet, providing opportunities for workers to voice their recommendations and concerns can be a simple way of showing them that they are important— as long as their responses are handled with respect. Treating workers with dignity may even foster greater loyalty and productivity. In this way the employees will bless the business as the business blesses them. Dr. Joyce is a pastor and an organizational development consultant: her mission is to equip individuals to flourish at work. Contact her at dr.joyce@joycembrooks.com. p
La Habra Biz Buzz What’s new in the La Habra Business Community? By Dawn Holthouser, LHCoC Member Services
There are a couple of new businesses in the Imperial Shopping Center due to open in mid-July: Jiffy Lube, located by Michael’s Department store, has a Grand Opening planned for September 5. All new for North Orange County, Mountain Mike’s Pizza! They have a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting July 17 at 5:00pm. We hear the pizza is so loaded with pepperoni that you can’t even see the crust. There is also a fresh salad bar and frozen yogurt. This will be a great place to bring the family, sports teams or just hang out. A beautiful, new 7-Eleven opened on La Habra Blvd. & Euclid with owner Ranjit Singh. The entire shopping center on that corner has been updated and revitalized. Looking for a fun and safe place to take the kids? Kidz Spot is a brand new indoor play and exercise center
BUSINESS
located on Lambert and Harbor. Ribbon Cutting is Thursday, June 26 at 5-6pm and the Grand Opening is Saturday, June 28, 12-3pm. Coming soon... the opening of the new Sprouts, which will be located in the old Office Max building on Imperial Highway. This is a great example of the change and growth happening in La Habra. If you’re wondering where the McDonald’s on Whittier Blvd. went, no worries, it will be back soon with a newer, contemporary look. See the article on McDonalds in this edition of the La Habra Business Journal. Although it’s in Whittier, we said goodbye to a long time, local fixture -Seafare Inn, located on Whittier Blvd. The restaurant was a favorite for many residents in La Habra and Whittier for many years. Exciting things are happening, changes are coming and La Habra is growing! I’ll continue to keep you posted on these exciting updates. Dawn Holthouser provides membership and advertising sales for the La Habra Chamber. Also co-leader of the Chamber’s Enterprise Team.
A look at Business and La Habra’s Water Supply
by Rob Ferrier, Assistant to the City Manager
Just as businesses rely upon a reliable source of energy to power their daily operations and a strong road network for quick delivery of goods and services to customers, many are also reliant upon access to a dependable source of water. While drought conditions pose a real challenge to much of California – some reservoirs in the northern part of the state are well below 50% of capacity, a problem as we head into the warm summer months – La Habra is in a much better position. For nearly a decade the City of La Habra has made targeted investments in its water production and delivery system, providing local businesses greater insulation from the difficulties faced in so many other communities. Since 2007 the City has invested $28 million in our water system, focusing its efforts on enhancement of its groundwater pumping capability. Two new stations – one at La Bonita Park and the other at Portola Park – are now online, tripling the amount
of water that can be drawn from the local underground aquifer. Because groundwater is significantly cheaper than water imported from other sources, such as the Metropolitan Water District (MWD), this strategy also tends to protect ratepayers from large rate increases. At one time La Habra relied upon on MWD for 40% and groundwater for 10% of its water needs; that ratio has no switched. Likewise, the City has acquired additional water shares for water from California Domestic Water Company, La Habra’s third water source. Water acquired from Cal Domestic is also less expensive than MWD water, and while that is a sound way to control the costs paid by ratepayers, it is also an effective method to diversify where our water comes from. The net result of these investments is that La Habra’s water customers – residents and businesses alike – have a reliable source of water less subject to price volatility. For more information on the City’s water program, please contact the La Habra Public Works Department at 714-738-4170.
BUSINESS
Is it Time to Update Your?
By Helen Butler
It used to be said a company should look at updating their logo every ten years. In today’s global market and shrinking world of business, logos should be reviewed at least every five years. Businesses, competitors and industries evolve over time. What worked 10-15 years ago for storefront signage or newspapers may look dated in today’s marketing and advertising media. Websites and social media do not use the same formats as printing and signage. Older logos may not convert well to all forms of advertising and promotional needs. Consider the following about your company’s logo: 1. Does It Convey Your Brand Identity? As your business grows and evolves, your logo may no longer reflect what products or services you offer. If that is the case, it is time for an update. 2. Does It Stand Out from Your Competition? You may “love” your original logo but be truthful with yourself does it look tired or dated? You want people to associate your business as being current and forward looking.
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before and after sample 3. Was It a Do-It-Yourself Project? Many businesses create their own logos as a way to save money in the beginning. Just as you are the professional in your industry, it is time to hire a professional designer for an update. Even large companies such as Coke-a-Cola®, Yahoo® and Starbucks® update and tweak their logos regularly for a fresh, new feel. Although they have substantial advertising budgets, small businesses can get results with a good designer. Sometimes a new font can make all the difference. Don’t hesitate to ask for an estimate. And, you do not need to roll out everything at once. Introduce your new logo when you run out of business cards, need more envelopes or are starting a new advertising campaign. Helen Butler is a graphics designer in La Habra and principle at Helen Butler Graphics (714) 773-9301
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Kidz Spot - play and exercise 1403 East Lambert Road #D La Habra, CA 90631 (562) 690-2600 www.kidzspot.net TNSM Consulting Business & Organization 12475 Garden Parkway Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 (562) 354-0933 Auto Perfections Auto body repair 950 East Whittier Boulevard La Habra, CA 90631 (562) 694-3204 7-Eleven 100 West La Habra La Habra, CA 90631 (562) 691-5059 VIP Windows 2605 W La Habra Blvd La Habra , CA 90631 562-905-9400
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Crossroads Recovery & Treatment Centers 402 E La Habra Blvd La Habra, CA 90255 (562) 691-8481 www.crossroadsrecoverycenters. com Jiffy Lube – Opening Soon 1580 W. Imperial Hwy La Habra, CA 90631 714-236-0715 Zion Cycles & Rods Motorcycle Service and Repair 601 S. Palm St. Unit D La Habra CA 90631 (562) 652-2559
10 BUSINESS Businesses are Being Scammed! Electric Bills and Phony Fire Inspections are two recent tactics
Fake electric bills pressure business to pay or have power shut off.
Be on the lookout for phony fire inspectors.
By David Songs
By Los Angeles County Fire Department
Utility bill scammers are once again targeting customers throughout the United States by phone and sometimes even email. In both scenarios, the scammers often request personal information and threaten to cut off electrical service if they do not receive immediate payment. Some Southern California Edison (SCE) customers have reported receiving these suspicious emails that look like a bill. Others have reported aggressive phone scams threatening immediate service disconnection if customers don’t pay a purported overdue bill. “SCE never uses high-pressure tactics to collect or demand money for past due bills,” said Marilyn Denter, SCE’s manager of Consumer Affairs. “We are not in the business of threatening our customers with the immediate termination of service.” This latest email scam follows a recent utility phone scam where more than 2,000 SCE customers were targeted. Unfortunately, more than 300 customers have fallen victim to the scam, many of them mom and pop business owners and entrepreneurs whose first language is not English. The scammers often demand immediate payment through a prepaid cash card or debit card. The average loss for SCE business customers last year was between $800 and $1,000;
Businesses throughout country have been targeted by scam artists who wear official-looking “uniforms” and perform questionable “fire safety inspections” in local businesses. These individuals typically enter businesses suggesting that they represent the fire department and state that “they need to inspect the fire protection system,” or that “they need to inspect various components of the fire protection system.” These components can include alarms, fire sprinklers, hood systems, and fire extinguishers. Oftentimes, these “inspectors” ask an unsuspecting employee to sign a form authorizing the inspections. Several weeks, or months, after these fraudulent inspections are completed, business owners often receive an invoice for various services that were fraudulently performed. The County of Los Angeles Fire Department inspects businesses annually and does not charge for these inspections. Business owners, managers, and employees should not let anyone inspect their fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, hood systems, or any other protection devices unless they have an agreement with a specific fire protection company. Business owners should ensure that any fire inspection that is completed at their business is legitimate. This can be accomplished by following four simple steps.
residential customer lost an average of between $300 and $500. Overall, the total losses so far for SCE customers are estimated at $225,000. “We ask our customers to be alert to these scams that demand immediate payment and threaten service disconnection,” said Denter. If SCE customers receive suspicious emails, they should never click on any links or attachments, and never send a reply. Customers should also delete the email. If a customer has been victimized, they can report it online to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force at StopFraud.gov. SCE customers suspecting a fraudulent call should ask for the caller’s name, department and business phone number. If the caller refuses to provide this information, customers should terminate the call and report the incident immediately to local police. In either situation, customers should contact SCE at 800-655-4555.
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1. Inspectors should introduce themselves as County of Los Angeles Fire Department employees or identify their business and produce a business card. Allowing an individual to enter your business without a clear understanding of which that person is, as well as their intentions, is not recommended. 2. Inspectors should be able to present a copy of their current County or City business license. Legitimate contractors should have a “C-10” endorsement to inspect fire alarms or a “C-16” endorsement to inspect fire sprinklers and fix fire protection systems. Licenses can be verified by checking with the Contractor’s State License Board at www.cslb.ca.gov. 3. Inspectors should be able to tell you what they intend to do and what the estimated costs will be. Never pay in cash. Invoicing and recordkeeping are important for your business and help assist in establishing future legal avenues if the inspection turns out to be fraudulent. 4. Inspectors must leave any broken and/or replaced parts with you. They also must provide a signed invoice. Remember! You may always refuse service and contact the County of Los Angeles Fire Department for guidance. We will gladly advise you of any required service schedules for your fire protection systems and assist you in verifying that the company you choose is qualified to provide the appropriate inspection, testing, and maintenance. If you suspect suspicious activity, contact law enforcement, fire department and let the Chamber know.