South Bay Business News: Word on the street

Memaid Mike Jones

Mike Jones enjoys a final Mermaid burger after two decades of bartending at the Hermosa Beach landmark. Photo

Hotel, Killer Shrimp planned for Hermosa Mermaid site
The 62-year-old Mermaid restaurant at the corner of The Strand and Pier Plaza is set to close escrow Wednesday. Buyer One Pier avenue is expected to seek city approval for an L-shaped hotel that would stretch from 13th Street to Pier Avenue, along the Strand, and extend east on Pier Ave. for approximately one-quarter of a block. Killer Shrimp restaurants is set to manage the Mermaid restaurant during the period prior to its tear down. The Mermaid closed Sunday night, but is expected to reopen after a quick refurbishing.

Ron Paul and Rock N' Fish owner Mike Zislis.

Former presidential candidate Ron Paul and Rock N’ Fish owner Mike Zislis.

Ron Paul, Secret Service visit Rock N’ Fish
Former presidential candidate Ron Paul and his wife, accompanied by two Secret Service men, recently enjoyed lunch at Rock N’ Fish and spoke to owner Mike Zislis about health care. Staff and guests described Paul as gracious and happy to pose for photos. “It was nice to meet a politician who’s not beholden to special interests,” Zislis said.

Bank of Manhattan gets new partner, new location
Bank of Manhattan is scheduled to open its downtown Manhattan Beach branch at 1419 Highland on Tuesday, September 4. Local builder Kim Komick (KKC Development) and architectural designer John Starr (Starr Design Group) have teamed up to produce a green building with an ocean view rooftop deck. Last month Bank of Manhattan completed acquisition of Pasadena-based Professional Business Bank. Both are controlled by investment group Carpenter & Company.

South Bay condo sales surge 33 percent
South Bay for sale inventories for single family and condominium/townhouses were down nearly 40 percent in June, compared to June 2011, according the South Bay Association of Realtors.

June’s 144 condominium sales represented a 33 percent jump over June 2011, but the median price was $$382,000, down 11 percent.

Single family sales totaled 258, down 2.27 percent, with median prices down 1.45 percent, at $525,000.

360 South Bay homes rolls out food trucks for home tours
William Lyon’s Homes 360 South Bay development at El Segundo and Aviation Boulevards is rolling out the food trucks to entice prospective home buyers to visit their 10 model homes. The Taste and Tour is Saturday, August 4, 2 to 5 p.m. and features the

Nom Nom Truck, All American Gourmet Grill and Breezy Freeze. For more information visit 360chowwow.com

Trainer Jay Russell goes virtual with 31Click.com
Hermosa Beach paddler and personal trainer Jay Russell has launched 31Click.com, a website for all levels of athletes, as well as trainers, nutritionists, and others in the fitness industry. The site contains original and aggregated articles, ranging from race day nutritional advice to a video of waterman Laird Hamilton’s circuit workout. The name refers to California being the 31st state.

Body Glove licenses 2nd Surge energy gel
Body Glove has entered a licensing agreement with Pacific Health Laboratories for an energy gel to be called 2nd Surge, which will be marketed toward surfers, skateboarders and rock climbers.

Gum Tree’s Ford, HB Chamber plan Aug. sidewalk sale
Gum Tree’s inexhaustible Lori Ford is working with Hermosa’s Chamber for downtown Hermosa Beach’s Second Annual Summer Sidewalk Sale and Dine Around Town on Aug. 11 and 12, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Street musicians will perform throughout both days.

Hermosa selects new city manager from Park City, Utah
The City Council on Wednesday voted to approve Tom Bakaly as the new city manager. The Southern California native and current city manager of Park City, Utah, will make $185,000 in base salary when he begins working Sept. 4. But the total cost of his contract is about $230,000, including medical benefits.

Redondo Beach schools eye November school bond
Redondo Beach is looking at a adding a bond measure to the November ballot to fill a $2 million shortfall from the district’s $67 million budget.

Chef Messina turns talent agent
Johnny Messina, formerly a chef at Buona Vita is now a talent and model agent with Blaze Modelz in the 200 Pier building in Hermosa Beach. “My chef-dom is now in retirement. Stef Blase is my best friend and she asked me to work with her. So far it’s been a fabulous new venture for me. Messina can be reached at Johnny@blazemodelz.com or (310) 890-2302.

Manhattan’s Shannon Ryan joins Little Company Foundation Board
Providence Little Company of Mary Foundation recently welcomed incoming trustees at its annual board meeting held at Rolling Hills Country Club. New trustees include Manhattan Beach resident Shannon Ryan; Palos Verdes Estates residents Barbara Beaupre and Mark Paullin; Rolling Hills Estates resident Cindy Hagelstein and Rancho Palos Verdes resident Sean Armstrong. Trustees serve as volunteer leaders to advance the Foundation in providing institutional support and community. To partner with the Foundation call (310)-303-5340 or visit www.plcmfoundation.org.

Koss launches Expedia-style real estate lender website
Zane’s restaurant owner Zane Koss’s dad has been attracting national press for his KossResource.com. The website matches developers with lenders. Rather than charge commissions, the site is supported by advertising and subscriptions fees. The Wall Street Journal quoted the senior Koss as saying, “We see ourselves as kind of an Expedia.com for the commercial real estate set.”

Two Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach motorcyclist riders raised $1,500 for the Pediatric Brain tumor Foundation during the Ride for Kids motorcycle event sponsored by American Honda.

Body Glove focuses on stand-up paddling
Body Glove is entering the fast growing stand-up paddleboard market through a licensing agreement Hawaii-based Focus SUP. Three models designed for the every day stand-up paddler are available in sizes 9-foot-10, 10-foot-10 and 11-foot-10.

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