Biz News: New yoga apparel store to open at Fashion Island
The yoga apparel company YOGASMOGA is opening a new store at Fashion Island, Newport Beach, next week. The brand includes full lines of men’s and women’s sportswear, including leggings, shorts, T-shirts, tank tops, and bras. All YOGASMOGA clothing is made in the United States, and is specially designed to resist pilling and manage moisture.
YOGASMOGA will host a grand opening event on Thursday at 6 p.m. Guests will receive appetizers, cocktails and 25% off all apparel. The Fashion Island location will be the company’s fourth, with other sites in Beverly Hills, Brentwood, and Connecticut.
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Irvine’s Pacific Rim Capital celebrates 25th anniversary
The Irvine-based Pacific Rim Capital, the largest independent lessor of material handling equipment in North America, will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year.
The global financial services company, established in 1990, has been ranked one of the 100 largest private companies and the eighth-largest minority-owned company in Orange County.
In the past quarter-century, co-founders David Mirsky and Marc Mills have pioneered new financial products and technologies, becoming a global financing leader for the some of the world’s most well respected multinational companies. Pacific Rim Capital now manages a billion-dollar portfolio comprised of various asset classes, including material handling equipment, alternative energy solutions and manufacturing equipment.
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Irvine affordable housing investor buys Portland property
A subsidiary of Irvine’s WNC, a company specializing in low-income housing tax credits, has purchased an affordable housing community in Portland, Ore. Community Preservation Partners LLC will invest more than $3 million in upgrades to Plaza Townhomes, a housing complex that includes 68 two- and three-bedroom units.
“[WNC] will preserve the Plaza’s deep affordability while making significant physical improvements and continuing support programs for residents,” said Michael Buonocore, executive director of Home Forward, the Portland housing assistance organization that sold the property. “At the same time, we will use the sale proceeds to add new affordable housing and address unmet capital needs that threaten the future of our existing affordable housing.”
Founded in 1971, WNC now has more than $7 billion of real estate assets and 1,250 properties across the country.
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Chief Automotive Technologies opens training center in Irvine
Chief Automotive Technologies, one of the largest manufacturers of automotive collision repair products, is opening a new training center in Irvine. The center, which will be housed at the company’s Irvine specification and research facility, will provide sessions for collision repair technicians and estimators on the West Coast throughout the year.
“Trainees who take advantage of this facility will not only be able to participate in classes that cover the latest techniques and tools,” said Ken Boylan, global training manager for Chief, “but they will also get a glimpse at how Chief is developing data for the vehicles they will be repairing in the future.”
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Tustin’s Truesdail Laboratories names new CEO
Truesdail Laboratories, Inc., an Irvine-based independent testing laboratory, has named Ed Wilson its new CEO.
Wilson, an industry veteran, has previously served as vice president of IT and marketing for Columbia Analytical Services, Inc., lab director of CH2M Hill and Pace Analytical, regional manager for analytical technologies, lab director for Brown and Caldwell, and a chemist for the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts.
Brian K. Service will remain chairman of Truesdail’s board of directors.
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Book Publicity Services opens Irvine office
Book Publicity Services, a public relations agency specializing in promoting authors, has opened a new office on Alton Parkway in Irvine.
The company works with both fiction and nonfiction authors of traditionally and self-published books. Some of its clients include Bennett Jacobstein, author of “The Joy of Ballpark Food,” and Sarah M. Johnson, author of “Life is Beautiful: How a Lost Girl Because a True, Confident Child of God.”
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South Coast Plaza showcases Guo Pei haute couture and MAC cosmetics line
Four gowns by Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei are now on display at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa in honor of the new MAC cosmetics line inspired by her haute couture. This will be the only U.S. appearance for the one-of-a-kind dresses, which will be on display Thursday through Sunday at the mall’s Jewel Court.
“Guo Pei’s creations are a vibrant embodiment of the alchemy between fashion and art,” said Debra Gunn Downing, executive director of marketing at South Coast Plaza. “That convergence is a theme that we are always excited to showcase.”
The Chinese designer became an international sensation last spring when Rihanna wore one of her embroidered gowns to the Met Gala. Two of Guo Pei’s creations were later on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art display, “China: Through the Looking Glass.”