British food giant Tesco is going to open Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Markets in West Covina and Arcadia on November 8, 2007. Fresh and Easy stores are relatively small and lean heavily on fresh food offerings, including prepared meals and sushi.
A new Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market has opened in Arcadia. It is owned by Tesco, a British food giant. Tesco's labor practices have come under fire for relying on part-time workers, which may limit the ability of workers to earn a living wage.
The City Council has approved a new home occupation ordinance that allows certain occupations to be carried out in the home. A city permit is required.
Arcadia City Council agreed to extend a moratorium against commercial buildings with rear windows facing residential properties. Action followed earlier urgency ordinance ... passed at request of residents on Laurel Avenue.
The Board of Directors of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce voted unanimously to support a retail use for the property being considered for a Target Department Store. The committee did not specifically say that Target would be the preferred use.
Four proposals have been received by the Arcadia Redevelopment Department for a development on Huntington Drive in east Arcadia, across the street from the proposed Target Store. All four meet the criteria set out by the Redevelopment Agency. The agency had requested builders to design either retail stores, a professional office building, or a fine restaurant.
A convenience shopping center has been approved by the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency for the southeast corner of Huntington Drive and Santa Anita Avenue. The businesses now occupying the land (a Texaco station, Burrito Flats restaurant, Miller's Carpet Care and Drive-Through Liquor) will have to be removed.
In a split vote, City Council approved an ordinance that effectively doubles business license fees bringing Arcadia to roughly the mid-point in fees charged by other Los Angeles County cities.
A state law scheduled to take effect in September is expected to set standards in the massage industry. Arcadia City Manager Don Penman commented that the new law may not stop people who want to commit a crime and do illegal acts. In the last few months of 2008, Arcadia shut down seven massage busineses for illegal activities.
Health-oriented eating establishments are drawing more customers. Executives of Garden Fresh Restaurant Corporation, which operates Souplantation, believe people are interested in their low-carb, low-calorie and high-quality meals.
Earthlink offers free phone calls and Web surfing at the Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita through December 30 as a way to introduce consumers to its new Internet telephone service.
The city welcomes construction of two office buildings at 225 and 255 Santa Clara Street. The buildings will be occupied by the law firm of Hart, Mieras, Morris and Peale, LLP, and Los Angeles District Church of the Nazarene.
H&M, the Swedish chain store, had its grand opening in Old Pasadena. Later in November, a 17,000 square foot H&M will open in Arcadia's Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita.