A 2-year-old legal battle between the city of Arcadia and Taboo Gentlemen's Club, a strip club, will most likely result in the club being closed or sold off by April, 2009. The federal court case started when the city revoked Taboo Gentlemen's Club's business license for breaking the city's adult business codes. The club's owners Bill Badi Gammoh and Chawkat Jajieh sued in response, claiming city and police had obstructed business and violated their civil rights. The city's adult business ordinance prohibits lap dances, sexual contact, private dance booths and direct tipping. It requires licensed dancers to perform on an elevated stage.
25-year-old entrepreneurs Dustin Nicolarsen and Michael Thomas co-own The Derby, the historic Arcadia steakhouse. The two give back to their community by hosting a fundraiser to benefit their high school.
Abandoned pet turtles, specifically red-eared slider turtles that are native to Louisiana, are turning up at the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia (shown in photograph), Huntington Library, and local golf courses. It is illegal to buy turtles less than 4 inches long and to dump them. They threaten to push out the state's only native turtles species in urban and natural waters here.
Arcadia recognized as "Most Business Friendly" for its mix of a strong local economy, well-known attractions, and responsive city hall workers, at the Eddy Awards, presented by Los Angeles County Economic Development, in the category of city with population less than 68,000. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 13, November 16, 2017.
Arcadia Recreation Department event "Arcadia Pet Show." A baby is seated next to a turtle or tortoise. Written on back of photograph is "July 13, 1974." Stamped on back is "Milton K. Bell, Photographer, 174 N. Madison Ave., Monrovia, CA. July 11, 1974."
Arcadia Recreation Department event "Arcadia Pet Show." A young girl named Robin Williams kneels next to two dogs. Frodo is the small dog and Contessa is the big dog. Written on back of photograph is "2nd Special, July 13, 1974." Stamped on back is "Milton K. Bell, Photographer, 174 N. Madison Ave., Monrovia, CA. July 11, 1974."
Arcadia Recreation Department event "Arcadia Pet Show." A young girl stands next to her dog. Dog is wearing a tutu. Written on back of photograph is "Special Award, July 13, 1974." Stamped on back is "Milton K. Bell, Photographer, 174 N. Madison Ave., Monrovia, CA. July 11, 1974."
Arcadia Recreation Department event "Arcadia Pet Show." Man wearing a sweater vest is holding onto a duck, a toddler stands nearby. Written on back of photograph is "Fowl most unusual, Don Dugo or Don Diego (?), July 13, 1974." Stamped on back is "Milton K. Bell, Photographer, 174 N. Madison Ave., Monrovia, CA. July 11, 1974."
Arcadia Recreation Department event "Arcadia Pet Show." Several children sit on benches with about seven birdcages between them. Written on back of photograph is "Parakeet Row."
Business profile on Fitness Factor in Arcadia. Maggie Riddle and Kevin Riddle are the co-owners. They do personal training and small group fitness at 24 N. 1st Avenue in Downtown Arcadia.
California's minimum wage increase is going to force some restaurants to hike food prices, cut back on employee hours and reduce advertising. McGrath's Fish House in Arcadia may be forced to reduce employee hours. The minimum wage is now $7.50 per hour. Another 50 cent increase goes into effect January 1, 2008.
H. D. Cowan Co., Inc., manufacturer of fixtures for stores, banks and office buildings, will open a new manufacturing facility at 130 N. First Street. This property was formerly a furniture manufacturing facility.
Hong Kong Supermarket, a New York-based company, will open a 25,000 square feet market at 935 W. Duarte Road, at the Mon-Arc Retail Shopping Center. It is the fifth Hong Kong Supermarket in the San Gabriel Valley, specializing in imported Asian groceries. It will serve customers from both Monrovia and Arcadia. Asians account for 10.9% of Monrovia's total population while Arcadia's Asian population is at 58.9%.
Major changes on tap for Arcadia in the new year. Delta Marriott Hotel slated for the old Santa Anita Inn; Arcadia's tallest building, currently housing Bank of America at 150 N. Santa Anita Avenue, has gone up for sale. The current Arcadia Self Storage at 35 W. Huntington Drive is proposed to become a modern food vendor location, reminiscent of the Grand Central Market in Downtown Los Angeles or the Anaheim Packing House.
