Vol. 1, Issue 2, February 15-21, 2008

By Rebecca Nordquist

IN THE NEWS

• On January 4, Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching expanded its fleet with OCean Adventure, a brand-new 63-foot catamaran. “It was built exclusively for Dana Wharf Sportfishing in Florida by Cooper Marine,” says general manager Donna Kalez, whose father, Don Hansen, moved the business from San Clemente to Dana Point Harbor in 1971.

As the fifth vessel, the 49-passenger OCean Adventure will be used as a charter boat for corporate or personal needs, including birthday parties. “We are growing in a different direction,” says Kalez, who notes the two-hour charter package is $2,450. “We have a fleet of good fishing boats, and this filled the void we needed for some time.” 34675 Golden Lantern, 949.496.5794, www.ococeanadventures.com, www.danawharf.com

• After 25 years in Dana Point—10 at its current location near La Plaza—Reel Time Sight & Sound is moving to San Juan Capistrano (26381 Via de Anza) in March. At least, that’s the best guess. The reason? The home audio and video store is “quadrupling in size—in our business,” says Roger Washington, manager for the past 17 years. “We’ve outgrown our current store. We’ll have 16,000 square feet of retail; right now we’re at 6,000.” Owner Skip Myers also says they’re taking their three buildings—two of which are in San Juan—and combining everything into one.

With the additional space Washington says the new store will have a custom wood shop for clients to see the custom wood furniture. “We’ll be able to show more custom furniture,” says Washington. “That’s what we’re focusing on. We’ll be able to show fresher ideas on how to implement audio in people’s homes.” 34174 Pacific Coast Hwy., 949.240.0555, www.reeltimesightandsound.com

JUST OPENED

• What started as a mobile taco cart and catering business in June is now Rasta Taco—a reggae-inspired Mexican restaurant owned by Mario Melendez and Mike DeSimone. And according to Melendez, the restaurant opened to good reception on December 15. “A lot of people who go to a party [and taste our food], they look us up and now we have a restaurant, which is great,” says Melendez, born and raised in Dana Point.

With 10 employees—including Dana Hills and San Clemente High School students in the afternoons—Rasta Taco serves what Melendez calls a “couture Mexican line.” “Mike, my partner, is an exceptional chef—it’s not standard Mexican food,” says Melendez.

And the two look to open a second location in Costa Mesa. “We’re setting up the business for franchise and licensing,” he continues. “It’s a great business: Our product is really exceptional.” Melendez adds the top orders are the Peter burritos and the Bob tacos. 26881 Camino de Estrella, Capistrano Beach, 949.496.TACO (8226), www.rastataco.com

• There’s a new salon in town: California Hairlines. Owner Homa Khani opened the full-service salon mid-December and offers everything from skin care, manicures and pedicures to haircuts, extensions and color. “I rented a chair at Harmony Beauty Salon in Lake Forest and I decided to buy a salon,” says Khani. She is currently hiring. 34112 Violet Lantern, Suite A, 949.240.2527

• “Vintage has popped in the last two years,” says Heidé Morris, owner of JunQies, a new apparel, accessories and home decor shop on north Pacific Coast Highway. “Vintage only gets older…meaning it gets better. You get a piece of history.” And after opening on January 26, Morris is already getting regulars. “Everyone is so excited,” she says. “Men have especially responded.”

The store, which formerly housed Revo Cycles that’s now located across the street, is packed wall to wall with fur jackets, one-of-a-kind dresses, funky jewelry, opera chairs and even collector’s items including Bakelite purses from Lucille Ball’s personal collection—one that was used on the set of I Love Lucy in 1963.

“I’ve been collecting my whole life,” says Morris, who’s lived in Dana Point for a year. She’s also done styling for celebrities including Sharon Stone and supplied to costume directors in Hollywood. And Morris launched her own high-end couture line, Le Agenew, with JunQie Jeans and JunQie Trunks for men, at the Super Bowl. 34155 Pacific Coast Hwy., 949.496.4406, www.junqies.net

COMING SOON

• On Saturday, February 16 the new Laguna-Dana Urgent Care is hosting an open house 10 a.m.–2 p.m. with food, skin checks, CPR demonstrations, music and more. And then it opens the doors for business on Monday, February 18. “We treat anything short of a heart attack,” says Faye Amster, marketing manager. “There’s no waiting, doctors are on all hours and they’re all board certified.” They’ll also have a children’s room. 24060 Camino del Avion, 949.248.8900; Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

• Dana Point’s Mike Christian traveled the United States in search of the perfect barbecue. North Carolina, Louisiana and Texas, among other barbecue-loving areas. “We became a food show: We flew, rented cars, got lost and had fun—and then we came home and ate salads,” says Christian, laughing, who’s opening Smokey’s House of BBQ in the Monarch Bay Plaza. “The main thing we discovered is the best way to slow smoke the meat, and we developed some sauces we believe will fit the California feel.” Those barbecue sauces include Apple Pie, SLO (as in San Luis Obispo) and an original recipe developed out of Texas.

With a projected opening date of March 3, Smokey’s is Christian’s first restaurant—although he’s spent a lifetime in the food industry. And he’s used that experience to develop this concept restaurant with online ordering, catering and “fun things that go beyond the typical restaurant experience,” says Jason Lawrence, consultant. Fun things including the development of the character Smokey the bull, a faux tree in the middle of the restaurant and a jail cell. “It’s going into the world of Smokey,” Lawrence says. Smokey’s is now hiring: 949.228.8496 or smokeysjobs@gmail.com. 32860 Pacific Coast Hwy., Suite 4, 800.416.0946, www.smokeyshouseofbbq.com (coming soon)

• Gelato Paradiso is opening its fourth location in the Monarch Bay Plaza. With shops in Corona del Mar—the first opened in 1999 by Steve Sherwood—Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, Gelato Paradiso serves 31 to 36 flavors of the Italian frozen treat at one time. A grand opening is planned for March 7. For job

opportunities, go to www.gelatoparadiso.net. 32860 Pacific Coast Hwy., Suite 2

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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.