Our Casais Open Again
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VOL 37 NO. 6 BUSINESSJOURNAL CARLSBAD.ORG AWARD WINNING PUBLICATION JULY 2020 CULTURE BUZZ TO YOUR HEALTH SCHOOL NEWS Committed volunteers How to protect A global pandemic did not prevent are essential to a yourself from our high school seniors from thriving arts world. 3 COVID-19 5 celebrating their accomplishments. 7 The people of Carlsbad FROM PIVOT TO PERMANENT How our community have spoken is using crisis to Thank you to everyone who took the time to join us for our Virtual change for good CBAD Award Week on Zoom in late May. It was a week-long cele- he COVID-19 pandemic has brought bration of significant changes to the way Amer- individuals, ica works, starting with the millions of companies people who are working from home, and organi- Tmany for the first time, and escalating to the zations that rapid development of tools and techniques are making that make productivity possible in a trans- a positive formed world. CHAMBER CHAMBER impact in The mark of any good business is its ability BRET our region. SCHANZENBACH to adapt to changing conditions, and this is no Oprah PRESIDENT & CEO less true for cities. City staff and volunteers have distributed “We’re Open” signs and tens of thousands of masks to busi- CARLSBAD CHAMBER Winfrey nesses, supporting a safely reopening. OF COMMERCE Before COVID-19 struck, forcing many busi- once said, nesses to adjust to remote work overnight, “If you want many tech companies were already making to feel good, you have to go out that shift, instituting new and more flexible and do some good.” That was ex- ways of work that embraced digital collabo- actly what our CBADs celebrated, ration and telecommuting. Whether used as Everything we are doing is driven by a those “doing” some good. Over the a perk to attract talent that are productive next several issues of the Carlsbad wherever they are, to reduce office space desire for continuous improvement in Business Journal, we look forward costs, or because a company’s workforce is to sharing the stories of those who distributed around the globe, the adoption of how we optimize services for our are doing some good here locally. CITY NEWS DAVID remote work continues to grow. GRAHAM The difficult part about host- The City of Carlsbad was embracing this CHIEF INNOVATION residents and support our businesses. ing awards is that not everyone OFFICER trend too, already planning and implement- CITY OF CARLSBAD wins. And I know that sounds like ing changes to carry us forward into a more a “trophy generation” kind of say- digital future. Prior to the pandemic, we were ing, but it is true. Every finalist for shifting more services online, collaborating we optimize services for our residents and to do business in the city, more permits have our Carlsbad Business, Achieve- virtually, and developing a remote work pol- support our businesses. We continue to put shifted online, virtual tools are being used for ment & Distinction Awards was icy. To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, we expected more services online, such as utility billing, inspections and simple permits, like water very worthy of recognition. And the unexpected – so when COVID-19 forced which previously consisted of paper billing heaters permits, are being processed more since all of our finalists are amaz- change on the way we do businesses – we and the U.S. Postal Service. This adaptation conveniently using digital tools. ing, we (meaning the staff, the did what a lot of our Carlsbad businesses were aligned with the onset of the COVID-19 As the health emergency moved into a Board, etc.), purposefully did not already doing. We adapted and accelerated shutdown and allowed the city to turn-on prolonged a shutdown with shelter-at-home become directly involved in the adoption. this service at the time our residents and requirements and public health orders, our decision-making process that de- Everything we are doing is driven by a businesses needed it most. desire for continuous improvement in how Already on the roadmap to make it easier › CARLSBAD, Page 2 › PIVOT, Page 4 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT PAID Permit #67 U.S. Postage Carlsbad, CA PRESORT STD PRESORT Our casa is open again orth County’s favorite place to “fies- tive – and delicious – experience they have ta!” – Casa de Bandini in The Fo- come to love and expect from us.” rum Carlsbad – is open and ready Take it from these satisfied customers who to share its award-winning Mexican shared their experiences on Facebook shortly Ncuisine, refreshing (and giant!) margaritas, and after the restaurant reopened for dine-in in warm, romantic atmosphere with you once May: again. “Felt so good to sit outside and wait for General Manager Gilbert Gastelum says takeout (while having my favorite margari- Casa de Bandini has implemented all required ta). Felt normal, and I think we all can use a measures to help protect the health and safe- little of that. Everyone was spot on with safety ty of the restaurant’s guests, staff and commu- protocol. Good to have you guys back,” wrote nity. For example, proper physical distancing is Nancy S. being maintained by emphasizing seating on “We went there last [night] with friends. It Casa de Bandini’s beautiful and lush open-air, was great and they have all the protocols for outdoor patio – a perfect place for dining with safety in place without making it feel weird,” loved ones on a summer evening! shared Phil H. “We know how important it is to stay Staff are also required to wear Personal Pro- healthy during these unprecedented times,” tective Equipment, such as mask and gloves; 5934 Priestly Drive 92008 Carlsbad, CA said Gastelum. “We are doing everything 5934 Priestly Drive 92008 Carlsbad, CA masks are required for customers entering we can to ensure our guests feel safe in our Bringing Mexico to Carlsbad, Casa de Bandini restaurant while still providing the same fes- › CASA, Page 4 safely reopened for dine-in in May. 2 | CARLSBAD.ORG CARLSBAD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The heart of Carlsbad OFFICERS Back in May, the Carlsbad Chamber of Art Wall. Curated by in our community, so I will highlight a few CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Commerce celebrated its first ever Virtual one of our newest things. They organize two major city clean Matt Leonard Edward Jones CBAD Awards Week. Adjusting to a very Chamber mem- ups during the year. This year, because of CHAIRMAN ELECT dynamic situation, the event was a week of bers, Bryan Snyder gathering restrictions and stay at home or- Catherine Magaña WWM Financial inspiring stories, great interviews and recog- TREASURER (Snyder Art and ders, this has been more difficult. But they Rich Clark Fuzion Payments, LLC nition of the best businesses in the region. Design), the wall pushed forward with virtual clean ups and One of the CBADS categories was Com- showcases differ- will return to keeping Carlsbad clean soon VICE CHAIRS munity Impact – Small Business. With so ent muralists every in the future. They also have discovered MATT Paula Anderson First Citizens Bank many great finalists this award was split be- LEONARD two months and how to leverage their centric office and Adam Jacobs Fortis Fitness and tween two very deserving winners, which CHAIRMAN is a must see for location to impact our community. During Strength Training & YOGALUX OF THE BOARD John Lek Green Dragon Tavern happen to operate just a few blocks away CARLSBAD CHAMBER locals and visitors the Carlsbad Village Street Faire, they set & Museum, Inc. in the heart of Carlsbad, our Village: Señor FROM THE CHAIR OF COMMERCE alike. I am grateful up quiet rooms in their offices for those Sue Loftin Loftin | Bedell, P.C. Grubby’s and Engel & Volkers. to Justin for Grub- who may be suffering from sensory over- Josh Mazur Upstream Consulting I recently had an opportunity to speak by’s community load and needing a quiet space to relax BOARD OF DIRECTORS with both the owners of both businesses. involvement and asked him what the com- in. They are also heavily involved organiz- Trent Andrews Procopio, Cory, My first conversation was with Justin munity could be doing for them during ing blood drives, organizing the Athletes Hargreaves & Savitch, LLP Jachura, owner of Señor Grubby’s. Señor this COVID-19 new normal. His answer was Village for the Special Olympics. And if Aaron Byzak Tri-City Medical Center Grubby’s has been putting a unique twist selfless and community oriented. He asked you’ve gotten a chance to watch movies Dave Geier San Diego Gas & Electric on Mexican food since 2008 from a relaxed that we as locals help drive business to our in the Village, that event has been made Geoff Gray Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa local setting. Grubby’s won the Communi- local businesses by posting reviews on Yelp, possible thanks to the generous donation Ahmed Haque Clearway Energy Group ty Impact Award for their tireless commit- and like pages not just spotlighting Señor of the equipment by Engel & Volkers. I am Laura Henderson North County HR ment to Carlsbad. Justin commented that Grubby’s, but all our local restaurants and also grateful for Lindsey and Trevor for Brian Hughes Omni La Coast Resort & Spa years ago he discovered that one thing that destinations. their community involvement and asked Rachel Ivanovich Easy Life Management, Inc. Mel Landy Howes, Weiler, Landy Planning he had to contribute to a cause was food. I also had the pleasure of speaking with what the community could be doing for & Engineering That commitment to giving back turned Trevor and Lindsey Smith of Engel & Volk- them.