So, while you are probably aware of the impact the entertainment industry has made in Santa Monica business in recent years, do you know which L.A. County architectural firm had the largest in-county billings in 2005 (for the second consecutive year), according to the Los Angeles Business Journal?
Relax The Back just celebrated the grand re-opening on July 15 of its newly remodeled Santa Monica store on Wilshire Blvd., which was the company’s first location in California. Franchise owner Pam Hicks said, “Our new look will more closely match our service and product assortment” dedicated to “improving the health and wellness of the clients we serve.” Based in Southern California, the company operates over 100 franchise retail locations throughout North America. www.relaxtheback.com
Santa Monica-based TagWorld on July 10 launched TagWorld Video Chat, which it describes as “the world’s first instant text messaging and live video chat for a social network site” – a “free feature [that] enables TagWorld members to see and chat live with their friends and other members of the community in real time whether logged on to TagWorld or not.” And: the company has teamed with New Line Cinema to launch the Snakes on a Plane Samuel L. Jackson Video Chat contest. If you don’t already know about Snakes on a Plane, due in theaters August 18, it’s not too late for you. www.tagworld.com
Hint: The firm is headquartered in San Francisco and has one of its 30 worldwide offices in Los Angeles County; it counts Santa Monica College among its current projects.
St. John’s Health Center of Santa Monica has expanded its Fast Track Service, adjacent to the Emergency Department, from three beds to 10 to enable patients with minor injuries and illnesses to receive care more quickly. “At the same time, this expansion will enable us to handle many more paramedic runs, getting the paramedics in, unloaded and back out into the community far more rapidly,” said Russ Kino, M.D., Medical Director of the ED. (Does this mean that “E.R.” has become dated?)
Shutters on the Beach and Hotel Casa del Mar, located on either side of the foot of Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica, announced the appointment of Kaylee Kiecker as director of entertainment sales for the two properties, both of which are owned by the Beverly Hills-based Edward Thomas Hotels. Ms. Kiecker was most recently vice president of special events and tourism for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, “She knows Hollywood inside and out,” said Vice President and Managing Director Klaus Mennekes. www.shuttersonthebeach.com and www.hotelcasadelmar.com
Gensler at 2500 Broadway in Santa Monica had self-reported L.A. County billings of $44.9 million in 2005 for architecture, interior design, planning and urban design and related services. www.gensler.com
And architects Jerde Partnership, headquartered on Ocean Front Walk in Venice was No. 8 in the county for the second year running. www.jerde.com
The Mirror invites information: new ventures, developments, products, personnel, financials and the like. terence@smmirror.com
