Although no city is immune to the effects of the recession, economic activity is still flourishing across the City of Carlsbad. Carlsbad's success at attracting new business investment can be attributed equally to the can-do attitude of city staff and officials, the support of the business community, the city's superior amenities and services, and, of course, its prime location on the North County coast.
One new business we are excited about is Anchor Audio, Inc., which manufactures portable sound, public address, lectern, conference and intercom systems, and other sound equipment. City staff has worked with Anchor Audio over the past year to assist the company in finding a suitable location in Carlsbad and to make tenant improvements on the selected building, as it sought to move from its current location in Torrance. The company's newly refurbished, 31,200-square-foot building on Darwin Court in the Carlsbad Research Center will employ about 50 people, including Carlsbad residents.
Later this year, Rubie's Costume Co. of New York will move its West Coast design studio from Kearny Mesa to Carlsbad. The company bought a 14,610-sq.-ft. industrial building on Loker Avenue, which can accommodate up to 65 employees. Rubie's manufactures and distributes makeup, costumes and accessories from 20 locations around the world, with the local design studio (an annual exhibitor at Comic-Con) specializing in sculpting masks
Construction is now well underway on Isis Pharmaceuticals' new research and development facility, the first development in the Carlsbad Oaks North Business Park at Palomar Airport Road and El Camino Real. City staff worked closely with Isis and its partner, BioMed Realty Trust Inc., to fast-track approvals for the 170,000-square-foot facility, which will house more than 250 employees and include its corporate offices.
In August, the City Council approved the Palomar Commons/Lowe's development for the southwest corner of Palomar Airport Road and El Camino Real. The 185,000-sq.-ft. retail project is planned on the Olympic Resort site, which closed in January 2008.
The developers of the project look to move forward with construction by the end of summer 2011. The project will include a Lowe's Home Improvement store as the anchor tenant, along with retail, including a gasoline station with car wash and convenience store, bank, restaurants and other retail businesses.
Across El Camino Real from the Palomar Commons project is the Bressi Ranch, where the city worked with developers to create a walkable community with a village green and central shopping and dining area. The latest entries to the Bressi Village Shopping Center scene are Petco Unleashed, a neighborhood version of the chain's larger stores, Chase Bank, and Luna Grill, a “neighborhood kabobery” restaurant, all of which are now under construction. Also now under construction in the Bressi Ranch is ActiveCare at Bressi Ranch, a 50-room, 89-bed assisted-living facility, located just west of the one-acre Village Square park.
Other new businesses in town include the recently opened Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen in the Paseo Real Shopping Center at Aviara Parkway and El Camino Real. The Tin Leaf serves affordable chef-quality comfort food in a relaxed environment, including an outdoor dining patio.
To the west at Paseo Carlsbad, construction is nearing completion on a two-story, 45,000-sq.-ft. specialty retail building. Paseo Carlsbad in located between Interstate 5 and Paseo del Norte. The new building is being constructed between BJ's Brewhouse and P.F. Chang's, and across from Carlsbad Premium Outlets. New tenants will include Corner Bakery, Menchies Frozen Yogurt, East of Bali Salon, Elephant Walk Outdoor Footwear and Pretty Please.
Car Country Carlsbad is also in on the action. Hoehn Motors is finishing work on its plans to remodel the former Worthington Dodge dealership on Paseo del Norte into a new Jaguar/Land Rover dealership. Hoehn Motors is currently offering Jaguar vehicles for sale on-site utilizing temporary trailers during construction and remodeling of the permanent building and the company is also working on expanding its Mercedes dealership showroom. Bob Baker Subaru/Volkswagen has also recently submitted plans to the city for remodeling their dealership showrooms.
Meanwhile, the Kahoots pet store chain opened a new location in the Carlsbad Plaza South Shopping Center at El Camino Real and Marron Road, next door to the recently opened Henry's Farmer's Market.
Carlsbad Village is also seeing activity, with a number of new businesses planned or opened, including the Carlsbad Beach Grill and It's a Grind Coffee House, on Carlsbad Boulevard.; Fancy Pants children's boutique, Garden State Bagels, and Intriguing Lingerie on Carlsbad Village Drive; Relm Wine Store, Swirlicious yogurt shop and Provence Bridal on State Street.
One new business we are excited about is Anchor Audio, Inc., which manufactures portable sound, public address, lectern, conference and intercom systems, and other sound equipment. City staff has worked with Anchor Audio over the past year to assist the company in finding a suitable location in Carlsbad and to make tenant improvements on the selected building, as it sought to move from its current location in Torrance. The company's newly refurbished, 31,200-square-foot building on Darwin Court in the Carlsbad Research Center will employ about 50 people, including Carlsbad residents.
Later this year, Rubie's Costume Co. of New York will move its West Coast design studio from Kearny Mesa to Carlsbad. The company bought a 14,610-sq.-ft. industrial building on Loker Avenue, which can accommodate up to 65 employees. Rubie's manufactures and distributes makeup, costumes and accessories from 20 locations around the world, with the local design studio (an annual exhibitor at Comic-Con) specializing in sculpting masks
Construction is now well underway on Isis Pharmaceuticals' new research and development facility, the first development in the Carlsbad Oaks North Business Park at Palomar Airport Road and El Camino Real. City staff worked closely with Isis and its partner, BioMed Realty Trust Inc., to fast-track approvals for the 170,000-square-foot facility, which will house more than 250 employees and include its corporate offices.
In August, the City Council approved the Palomar Commons/Lowe's development for the southwest corner of Palomar Airport Road and El Camino Real. The 185,000-sq.-ft. retail project is planned on the Olympic Resort site, which closed in January 2008.
The developers of the project look to move forward with construction by the end of summer 2011. The project will include a Lowe's Home Improvement store as the anchor tenant, along with retail, including a gasoline station with car wash and convenience store, bank, restaurants and other retail businesses.
Across El Camino Real from the Palomar Commons project is the Bressi Ranch, where the city worked with developers to create a walkable community with a village green and central shopping and dining area. The latest entries to the Bressi Village Shopping Center scene are Petco Unleashed, a neighborhood version of the chain's larger stores, Chase Bank, and Luna Grill, a “neighborhood kabobery” restaurant, all of which are now under construction. Also now under construction in the Bressi Ranch is ActiveCare at Bressi Ranch, a 50-room, 89-bed assisted-living facility, located just west of the one-acre Village Square park.
Other new businesses in town include the recently opened Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen in the Paseo Real Shopping Center at Aviara Parkway and El Camino Real. The Tin Leaf serves affordable chef-quality comfort food in a relaxed environment, including an outdoor dining patio.
To the west at Paseo Carlsbad, construction is nearing completion on a two-story, 45,000-sq.-ft. specialty retail building. Paseo Carlsbad in located between Interstate 5 and Paseo del Norte. The new building is being constructed between BJ's Brewhouse and P.F. Chang's, and across from Carlsbad Premium Outlets. New tenants will include Corner Bakery, Menchies Frozen Yogurt, East of Bali Salon, Elephant Walk Outdoor Footwear and Pretty Please.
Car Country Carlsbad is also in on the action. Hoehn Motors is finishing work on its plans to remodel the former Worthington Dodge dealership on Paseo del Norte into a new Jaguar/Land Rover dealership. Hoehn Motors is currently offering Jaguar vehicles for sale on-site utilizing temporary trailers during construction and remodeling of the permanent building and the company is also working on expanding its Mercedes dealership showroom. Bob Baker Subaru/Volkswagen has also recently submitted plans to the city for remodeling their dealership showrooms.
Meanwhile, the Kahoots pet store chain opened a new location in the Carlsbad Plaza South Shopping Center at El Camino Real and Marron Road, next door to the recently opened Henry's Farmer's Market.
Carlsbad Village is also seeing activity, with a number of new businesses planned or opened, including the Carlsbad Beach Grill and It's a Grind Coffee House, on Carlsbad Boulevard.; Fancy Pants children's boutique, Garden State Bagels, and Intriguing Lingerie on Carlsbad Village Drive; Relm Wine Store, Swirlicious yogurt shop and Provence Bridal on State Street.