| Eye on SC |
Business Beat
 Vol. 3, Issue 30, July 24-30, 2008
By Rebecca Nordquist and staff
News and updates on San Clemente’s business community
JUST OPENED
• San Clemente’s brand-new vet hospital, Pacific Coast Veterinary Hospital, opened this month featuring state-of-the-art operating equipment including laser technology. Pictured in the lobby at 1242 Puerta del Sol is owner Dr. Steve Scibelli, DVM, and staff members Dr. Sarah Gertmenian, DVM and Edith Parangao, RVT. Not pictured are receptionists Christy Kellner and Cathy Bonke, and tech assistants Alicia Bonke and Erick Brandao. —Norb Garrett
• Aly Loge knew long ago that she wanted to open a flower shop, and last month she realized that goal by opening The Vine’s Leaf in the Talega Village Center. The 25-year-old San Clemente High School graduate says she specializes in “unique, high-end designs” and pavé—the art of arranging flowers together tightly with no filler. With the help of her mom, Terri; dad, Mike—a contractor who built the inside of the shop—and her sister, Kylen; Loge also offers bouquets, orchid gardens, plants and daily delivery, and services weddings and events.
Loge studied horticulture and agriculture business at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and simultaneously managed a florist shop, but “I always knew this was the goal,” says Loge, who also has a sister Jenni. 801 Via Suerte, Suite 102, 949.481.4754, thevinesleaf.com
• San Clemente has a new smoke shop: Cloud 9 Glass Gallery. Adam Cook of Santa Ana opened the retail tobacco accessories store June 13 and is running a grand opening raffle through July. For every $20 the customer spends, they get a ticket to win various products. The shop sells pipes, water pipes, cigar cutters, glass jewelry and clothing, among other smoke-related items. Cook chose San Clemente because he liked “the hustle and bustle of El Camino Real in the summer.” “The people I did talk to were interested in the product I sell and were tired of only having one decent shop in the city,” says Cook, 25, who owns Cloud 9 with a silent partner. 401 S. El Camino Real, Unit I, 949.498.2901
• Owner Nicole Fields says the floor of her new clothing shop, Fields 4 Dreams Boutique, is reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour. “I want to bring forward, reasonable fashion for everybody’s body type and age level,” says Fields, a San Clemente resident with two kids, Sky, 8, and Summer, 4. “There’s something for everyone.” That includes women’s clothing and some men’s, juniors and children’s. “It’s fun, affordable fashion with classic twists and basics.”
The second week of June, Fields signed the lease at her store, which was formerly Cheers owned by Tracy Knox, and since, she says it’s been “buzz, buzz, buzz.” “I jumped on the opportunity and put both feet forward,” she says.
Fields is most excited about the Trinity line—clothing made out of organic cotton. “It’s the wave of the future,” Fields says. “Not only are people wanting to eat organic, but they also want their clothing to be organic.” 308 Avenida de la Estrella, 949.366.1801
COMING SOON
• California Cove is going gourmet. Well, even more so. Just down the street on Avenida Del Mar owner Susan Heriford is expanding with California Cove Gourmet mid-August. Her shop replaces Earthy Things at 155 Avenida Del Mar. Heriford says she’s heard talk about needing another kitchen store in town: a place to buy a zester, for instance. “We’re going to be filling a niche,” says Heriford, who’s planning a grand opening for Labor Day weekend. “We’re going to split [California Cove] down the middle.” All of the gourmet items, including olive oils and pasta sauces from Italy, will join additional kitchen accessories in the new store. “It’s everything food-oriented and gourmet-oriented,” she says. Kitchen-Aid standup mixers, clad pans, Bella Vera plates and canisters, A Perfect Pear products and Moonstruck chocolate. California Cove Gourmet is also getting a new line of aprons from local Brenda Kinsman’s company Gram’s Apron. In fact, Heriford showcases several local artists in her store.
According to Heriford, profits from both of her stores go directly to charities, including Toby’s House in San Clemente. “Honestly, the people of San Clemente are unbelievably generous—the sales are through the roof,” she says. “I know it’s because we give back.”
• San Clemente’s Dawn Mednick, Capistrano Beach’s Crystal Adams and San Juan Capistrano’s Sherrie Jordan—all Dana Hills High School graduates in the late ’80s—are working to open The Cellar on Avenida Del Mar. Taking the place of Del Mar Ranch Market, which closed in December, the shop’s going to be part cheese boutique, part full-service wine bar (open until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays) and part eatery, with sandwiches, salads, smoked meats, cheese plates and more. This is all planned foran end-of-August opening. Mednick says there will be wines by the glass, sake and beer, and live music with a grand piano onsite. 156 Avenida Del Mar
NEW LOCATION
• Aloha Flowers has moved from the Courtyards at Talega and into the Rancho San Clemente Business Park. The new address is 915 Calle Amanecer, Suite A. Owner Nancy Hanna, who bought Aloha in September 2007, says the space suits her business better as she’s more of a floral production company rather than a retail shop. 949.429.3900, www.alohaflowersofsanclemente.com
IN THE NEWS
• In January, Dino De Santis hoped to open Dino’s on El Camino in the spring. De Santis says the plan remains: turn the former Swiss Chalet into an Italian restaurant. “We’re hoping, if things go well, to be open in three to four months,” says De Santis, whose family owned Andreino’s in the early ’80s and mid-’90s where El Mariachi is now. “I can’t etch it in stone, but God willing, we’re moving forward.”
• The Juice Time in the Ocean View Plaza has an eviction notice on its window from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. It’s located next door to Fitness Elite.
Focus On: Katie Avila, emagineGreen
Going green doesn’t have to be a burden, and Katie Avila can tell you why. Avila, 26, is a greenCoach for emagineGreen, a company that goes to homes and businesses to conduct workshops on eco-friendly living. “I went to a workshop and realized how much trash I was generating,” she said. “I wanted to do something about it.”
And for the last year or so, she has: Avila, who lives in San Clemente, holds emagineGreen workshops all over Orange County to San Diego teaching statistical “ecoFacts” and simple ways to be green while offering a full line of emagineGreen products to get started. “We teach a lot about reusing. For me, it simplified my life and I started saving money. Our concept is ‘awareness: action equals impact,’” she said, adding that each workshop is tailored to how green the client already is. “Everyone’s at a different point on their eco-journey, but we usually target beginners.” For them, Avila discusses reusable water bottles, shopping bags and totes, and why they’re so important; the more advanced may be interested in the compost kit, which breaks down food for fertilizing. There’s also emagineGreen dishware, household products and gifts, including wine glasses made from recycled wine bottles—Avila provides an emagineGreen product catalog, also available online.
One of three greenCoaches in Orange County, Avila said more people, especially women, are taking an interest in the workshops. “I keep it simple. Contact me, give me a guest list with a minimum of eight people, we send e-mail invites,” she said. “The workshops last about an hour. And the hostess gets a discount.” 949.233.7225, http://greencoach.emaginegreen.com/katieavila, www.emaginegreen.com —Tawnee Prazak
SEND US YOUR BUSINESS NEWS
To get business news in this section, send an e-mail to rebecca@sanclementetimes.com. “Business Beat” will include updates and happenings that occurred within six to eight weeks of publication.
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I am also so interested in the new cheese and wine shop on Del Mr Please e-mail me with any news.. Thank you 388-5973
To whom it may concern,
I am very interested in filling out an application for the cellar wine and cheese boutique. I live in San Clemente and walk by all the time but there are only construction workers on site and have no information on employment. My question is if you know whom I can get in contact with to fill out an application. thank you. My email address is amysvegiez@yahoo.com or you can call me at 760-717-0557
thank you,
Amy
Stupid time to open a new Buisness..