Biz News: Ruby’s Dinette in Eastside Costa Mesa closes
Ruby’s Dinette in Eastside Costa Mesa has closed.
The restaurant at 428 E. 17th St. first opened about 20 years ago. The dinette was an experimental concept for the Irvine-based Ruby’s Diner chain.
The location was transformed from Ruby’s signature 1940s theme to 1960s-inspired decor in 2014. With it came a quick-service model that lasted several months before Ruby’s management returned to a traditional full-service operation the following year.
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Irvine office wins industry award
Opus Bank’s office in Irvine won the 2016 Calibre Design Award in the small-workspace category from the International Interior Design Assn.
The office — in the Newport Gateway complex at 19900 MacArthur Blvd. — is 800 square feet and was designed by the Newport Beach office of Gensler, a global design firm.
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Mother’s Market hosts recycling drive
Mother’s Market & Kitchen in Costa Mesa will host a “Styrofoam-to-surfboard” recycling drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Shoppers are asked to drop off recyclable plastic foam that will be used to make new surfboards and other products.
The event will include live music, information from the Surfrider Foundation and raffles.
Mother’s Market is at 1890 Newport Blvd.
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Costa Mesa father and son raising money for their product
A Costa Mesa father and son have started a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for a tabletop that can attach to a railing to provide a flat surface.
The product is called Balcony Bar. Founder Rick Melgren and his son, Scott, seek to raise $50,000.
For more information, visit balconyliving.com/kickstarter.
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Fresh Bros. restaurant to host schools fundraiser
Fresh Bros. will celebrate the opening of its new restaurant in Newport Beach with a “Pay What You Want” fundraiser Thursday to benefit two local schools.
Customers are invited to dine in or take out and contribute the value of their meals to either Mariners Elementary School or Newport Harbor High School.
The new location is at 1124 Irvine Ave. It joins two other Orange County Fresh Bros. – one in Laguna Niguel and another in Newport Beach.
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Assemblyman honors El Matador restaurant
Assemblyman Matthew Harper (R-Huntington Beach) recently honored El Matador as the 2016 Small Business of the Year for the 74th Assembly District.
The downtown Costa Mesa Mexican food restaurant, which has the largest selection of tequila in Orange County, first opened in 1966.
“I’m proud to recognize Greg and Jana McConaughy and their restaurant, El Matador, as the 2016 Small Business of the Year,” Harper said in a statement. “Their dedication to helping the community, providing quality job opportunities and supporting their loyal customer base makes them the perfect choice.”
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Apartment complex gets renovation and new name
Woodland Village, a Costa Mesa apartment complex, has been renamed Village at South Coast.
The 113-unit complex at 845 Paularino Ave., first built in the 1970s, has received various renovations in recent years, according to a news release. The work included upgrades to the apartments’ interiors such as new wood flooring, stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops. The complex’s garages and pools also were renovated.
“Our goal was to transform Woodland Village from a dated property which no longer accommodated residents’ needs to a premium community with a relaxed environment,” according to Sara D’Elia of REMM Group, the complex’s Tustin-based property management company.
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Irvine firm acquired by Genstar
Genstar Capital has acquired Irvine-based Infinite RF Holdings Inc., a provider of radio frequency tech components, according to a news release.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Genstar is a private equity firm based in San Francisco.
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Alorica acquires Texas firm
Alorica Inc., an Irvine-based customer service company, has acquired Expert Global Solutions, a customer service company in Plano, Texas.
The combined company will be called Alorica and will employ 91,000 people in 16 countries, according to the Dallas Business Journal.
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UCI Extension offers real estate boot camp
UC Irvine Extension will present a one-day boot camp called “How to Dominate in Real Estate Sales.”
The class, led by David Mashian, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 25.
Early registration is $95. To register or for more information, call (949) 824-5414.
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Data firm expands to Irvine
CBIG Consulting, a Chicago-based business intelligence and data analytics provider, has expanded to Irvine.
The firm’s office is at 19800 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 300, in the Newport Gateway office complex.
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Newport man named CEO of Kuantum
Newport Beach resident Will Righeimer has been named CEO of Kuantum Brands, a San Diego-based company that develops, manufactures and distributes food and beverages.
Righeimer, 46, last served as president and global general manager for Mars, Inc., the global food manufacturer.
“We are thrilled to welcome Will to Kuantum Brands as our new CEO,” Gabriel Perez Krieb, chairman of Kuantum Brands’ board of directors, said in a prepared statement. “Will’s strong operational background and proven track record of building brands, engaging associates and creating value make him an ideal fit.”