Wow! There is never any shortage of business news in Malibu.
Shopping
While the Woolsey Fire has challenged many of our local businesses, they are recovering slowly with the help of loyal locals, summer visitors and the Malibu Chamber of Commerce’s #ShopMalibu campaign. Utilizing the services of longtime local Chris Wizner’s digital agency, Vivid Candy, the chamber has enlisted the support of Malibu’s five largest shopping centers—The Park at Cross Creek, Malibu Country Mart, Malibu Lumber Yard, Point Dume Village and Trancas Country Market—to launch #ShopMalibu. Aside from increasing business for everyone, the goals of the program are to generate more out-of-town dollars for Malibu businesses and to change the image of Malibu from a post-apocalyptic fire and flood zone to the most beautiful 21 miles of coastline in Southern California. According to Chris Wizner, “The #ShopMalibu program has raised brand awareness for our community to an all-time high and has seen amazing results from the #ShopMalibu campaign including a huge boost of Malibu brand awareness. And, more importantly, we are seeing a steady increase in business activity!”
Dining Out
If you’ve never had the pleasure of dining at the Carbon Beach Club , you probably didn’t know where it was! Most “in the know” Malibu residents have been enjoying sea-side dining, delectable cuisine and perfect service for years in the lovely, intimate restaurant located in the Malibu Beach Inn boutique hotel (adjacent to the Malibu Pier at 22872 PCH). In order to introduce this fine dining option to more Malibu residents, the Carbon Beach Club is offering 50 percent off their regular menu to locals on Tuesday evenings. We took advantage of this generous offer last week, seated on the ocean-side deck. The farm to table, locally sourced choices were delicious and the local vibe and warm late summer golden light sunset made for a perfect evening. Try it!
Finally open, after many construction starts and stops, is Nicolas Eatery at 22333 Pacific Coast Highway (in the Sands Center, near Caffe Luxxe). The restaurant, hosted by Nicolas Fanucci, previously with Thomas Keller’s Bouchon and the French Laundry in Napa, features casual dining with a French accent and very friendly service. Well worth a visit!
With many restaurants in and out of the site, most recently occupied by Tavern 1 and the short lived Rebelion, we can now welcome The Cliffdiver. The newly painted blue restaurant is located next to the Old Mission Court House on PCH across from La Costa Beach. Developed by award winning Chicago restaurant designers and entrepreneurs Dion Antic and Adolfo Garcia, who have multiple successful eateries in their portfolio, the future bodes well for this dining establishment. The Cliffdiver will be offering up Mexican style, casual dining in a pub-friendly environment and featuring seafood, small plates, a full bar, brunch and more.
Business Services
Living and working in Malibu is not all about shopping and eating. Sometimes it’s about being aware of some fantastic business services available right here in our community. One such service is Kerbox Media, a full service digital advertising agency specializing in mobile video marketing. You may already be aware of Bill’s company from the widely distributed video he made of the delivery of emergency provisions to our Woolsey Fire Heroes by the yacht Light Star—a video that went around the world capturing the unique Malibu ethic of self-reliance and community support. But recording and communicating current and community events is only part of what they do. Kerbox Media works with retailers, Realtors and other businesses, bringing to life their properties, products and services in mini video productions that are much more than simple video tours. Want to illustrate that your Malibu property is not just another house but your client’s next home? That the location is not just an address but a community? That it’s not about bedrooms and stainless steel appliances, but about mountain trails, ocean views, great schools, world class shopping and fine dining? And that’s only one aspect of their services. For more information and to view samples of Kerbox Media’s work, visit @kerboxmedia or call Bill at 310.600.4484.
Halloween Fun
Looking for some local adult Halloween happenings? Some of Malibu Wine Safaris’ favorite tasting stops have been transformed into otherworldly dimensions, haunted forests, psychedelic sci-fi tunnels and beyond through the usage of lights, light projection and sound. At each stop, guests will enjoy two wine tastings and experience the lights—but beware, not all stops are created equal. Whether you’re trembling with fear in the haunted oak grove or dancing beneath the tunnel of lights, this is an exclusive holiday tour not to be missed! This tour is running through the month of October. Guests can purchase tickets at lasafaris.com/tickets-gift-certificates.
Disaster Prep Service
Speaking of the Woolsey Fire… I hope locals are nowhypersensitive to what it takes to survive and thrive in a disaster-prone region like ours, especially when dealing with a major property loss and negotiating your claim with your insurance company. One of the easiest and best ways to be proactive is to make sure you document all of your possessions and store that document outside of your home. Richard Cassel, of Richard Cassel Photography and Documentation, provides the most efficient approach with his video documentation service. Not only does this kind of documentation make good sense, but it makes negotiating claims easier and improves your chances of recovering the true value of your losses. Richard offers his services and even free advice on how you can do this yourself—give him a call at 818.421.9154 or contact him at rcasselphoto@gmail.com.