Briefly in business

First quarter taxable sales up in Costa Mesa

First quarter sales were 1.6% higher in Costa Mesa than last year at the same time, although actual sales were down less than 1%, according to a sales tax update from the city.

Specialty stores, service stations and department stores raked in the most sales.

The city’s top producers were Apple Computer, Best Buy, Connell Chevrolet, Connell Nissan and Costa Mesa Infiniti.

The report also showed a decline in sales from new car dealers.

Taxable sales were up almost half a percent in the county while Southern California’s taxable sales were up over 2%.

Another Starbucks open on another corner

A new Starbucks opened Friday at Newport Boulevard and Del Mar Avenue in Costa Mesa.

The coffee house opened after a lengthy construction project in the area. A Subway restaurant is also set to open soon, with another space for lease.

OCC hosts Inventors Forum at OCC

The Inventors Forum will host an event at 7:30 p.m. at Orange Coast College Friday.

Phil Morello, a senior systems engineer at Device Inc., will speak on the “Do’s and Don’ts of Electronic Invention Design” in the college’s science lecture hall 101.

The Inventors Forum is an Orange County-based nonprofit support organization for inventors.

Law firm leads sexual harassment seminar

Newport Beach law firm Fisher & Phillips LLP will host a sexual harassment training seminar from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Fairmont Newport Beach.

The seminar, led by attorneys who specialize in labor law, will fulfill requirements mandated by California law for businesses with 50 or more employees. The new legislation requires supervisors or managers to receive at least two hours of training every two years.

The training includes a breakfast, which will be served at 8:30 a.m.

The seminar costs $75 per person or $65 for two or more people from the same company. To register or for more information, call (949) 851-2424.

Replay announces its fall collection

South Coast Plaza store Replay announced the arrival of its autumn collection last week.

The store, which carries Italian designs, will feature dark “London style” time-aged fabrics and vintage blue and black drainpipe jeans.

For more information visit www.replay.it or call (714) 754-0085.

Carolina Herrera opens at South Coast Plaza

CH Carolina Herrera opened its only West Coast store at South Coast Plaza this month.

The store features high-end fashion for young men and women. It features ready-to- wear collections and access- ories. The store is near the Jewel Court on the first level.

For more information call (714) 662-0572.

Newport Chamber seeking grants

The Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce is looking for community organizations to apply for Taste of Newport grants. Applications will be accepted at the chamber through Oct. 16. A committee will review all the applications from local nonprofit organizations and dole out the cash Dec. 31. Since the inception of the Taste of Newport Grant Program in 1998, the chamber has contributed over $155,000 with 29 organizations receiving the funds.

For more information about what organizations are eligible for the grant, call (949) 729-4400 or e-mail Ashley Tenorio at atenorio@newport beach.com. The event will be from Sept. 15-17.