VOL 1 No 4 | Summer 2014Keeping our community in touch with business in La Habra...

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P097314.1 State Farm Home Office, Bloomington, IL

When I say “good,” you say “neighbor.”

Now that's teamwork.Eloisa Villarreal Sharp, AgentInsurance Lic#: 0527328Bus: 562-694-1029 Toll Free: 800-694-1029eloisa@eloisasharp.com 1871 W La Habra Blvd

Each year the Chamber presents commu-nity Awards to deserving people and busi-nesses. 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.

By Mark Sturdevant

The original McDonald’s restaurant was constructed in 1963. Through-out 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 com-pleted this Fall.

McDonalds Starting Over with a New La Habra Restaurant

Palos Verdes Estates’ new chief

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.

The Chamber Presents ScholarshipsThe La Habra Chamber of Commerce presented three $500 schol-

arships 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.

LA HABRA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BusinessJournal

LA HABRA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BusinessJournal

L A H A B R A A R E A C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E

BusinessJournal

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 oper-ations 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 Mar-ket 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 addi-tional 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 seat-ing 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 addi-tion of 44 employees overall.

Northgate Market’s Extreme Makeover

See La Habra Biz Buzz by Dawn HolthauserPage 8

8 BUSINESS

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 ha-rassment can make the workplace a painful place to be.

Even less innocuous actions can demoralize employees. For example, when management op-erates 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 deter-mine 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 con-cerns 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

Treating Employees with Dignity

What’s new in the La Habra Business Community?By Dawn Holthouser, LHCoC Member Services

There are a couple of new business-es in the Imperial Shopping Center due to open in mid-July:

Jiffy Lube, located by Michael’s De-partment 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 shop-ping 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

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 Impe-rial 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 mem-bership and advertising sales for the La Habra Chamber. Also co-leader of the Chamber’s Enterprise Team.

A WORD FROM THE CHAIR La Habra Biz Buzz

by Rob Ferrier, Assistant to the City Manager

Just as businesses rely upon a reli-able 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 depend-able 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 bet-ter 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, fo-cusing 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 cheap-er 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 ad-ditional 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.

A look at Business and La Habra’s Water Supply

BUSINESS 9BUSINESS

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Attention all Brio homeowners get an additional 15% off all window coverings now thru 8/31/14.

Imperial Hwy Plumbing, Heating & Air2500 East Imperial Hwy, Ste 201Brea, CA 92821 (714) 777-5686 Kidz Spot - play and exercise1403 East Lambert Road #DLa Habra, CA 90631(562) 690-2600www.kidzspot.net

TNSM ConsultingBusiness & Organization12475 Garden ParkwaySanta Fe Springs, CA 90670(562) 354-0933

Auto Perfections Auto body repair950 East Whittier BoulevardLa Habra, CA 90631(562) 694-3204

7-Eleven100 West La HabraLa Habra, CA 90631(562) 691-5059

VIP Windows2605 W La Habra BlvdLa Habra , CA 90631562-905-9400

Crossroads Recovery & Treatment Centers402 E La Habra BlvdLa Habra, CA 90255(562) 691-8481www.crossroadsrecoverycenters.com

Jiffy Lube – Opening Soon1580 W. Imperial HwyLa Habra, CA 90631714-236-0715

Zion Cycles & Rods Motorcycle Service and Repair601 S. Palm St. Unit DLa Habra CA 90631(562) 652-2559

MEET THE NEW CHAMBER MEMBERSBy Helen Butler

It used to be said a company should look at updating their logo every ten years. In to-day’s global market and shrinking world of business, logos should be reviewed at least every five years. Busi-nesses, 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 Iden-tity?

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.

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 pro-fessional 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 regular-ly 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 esti-mate. 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

Is it Time to Update Your?

before and after sample

10 BUSINESS

ZION CYCLES AND RODSHarley Davidson Specialists

Motorcycle Service & FabricationServices, oil changes, engine tune, code scan-ning, electrical, diagnose, custom fabrication, mo-tor rebuilt, en-gine work, frame repair, custom frame work, paint, one offs, restoration. Aluminum, stainless & steel TIG welding. We service from pan heads to twin cams. 601 S. Palm Street Unit DLa Habra, CA 90631Yarbi: (562) 652-2599Service: (626) 833-6809

Reasonable prices & friendly serviceOpen Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m.- 1p.m

Habla Espanol

$20 off service

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Businesses are Being Scammed!Fake electric bills pressure busi-ness to pay or have power shut off.

By David Songs

Utility bill scammers are once again targeting customers through-out the United States by phone and sometimes even email. In both sce-narios, 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 re-ceiving 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 mon-ey 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 tar-geted. 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 im-mediate payment through a prepaid cash card or debit card. The average loss for SCE business customers last year was between $800 and $1,000;

residential customer lost an average of between $300 and $500. Overall, the total losses so far for SCE custom-ers are estimated at $225,000.

“We ask our customers to be alert to these scams that demand imme-diate payment and threaten service disconnection,” said Denter.

If SCE customers receive suspi-cious 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 fraud-ulent 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.

Electric Bills and Phony Fire In-spections are two recent tactics

Be on the lookout for phony fire inspectors.

By Los Angeles County Fire Department

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 sys-tem.” These components can include alarms, fire sprinklers, hood systems, and fire extinguishers. Oftentimes, these “inspectors” ask an unsuspecting employee to sign a form authoriz-ing 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 an-nually and does not charge for these inspections. Business owners, man-agers, 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.

1. Inspectors should introduce themselves as County of Los Ange-les 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 re-fuse 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 depart-ment and let the Chamber know.