Chamber & COVID-19 News for You!
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To Our Valuable Members and Business Leaders:
San Diego County launched our participation into Stage 2 on Friday, May 8th, so we are now over 12 days into this stage. The efforts of everyone within our county to continue to follow the health and safety guidelines, will hopefully allow the Board of Supervisors to encourage the Governor to let us have more local control of the reopening in San Diego County.
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Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors Petition the Governor to Move Further Into Phase 2 Allowing Barbershops, Hair Salons & Restaurants to Open
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On Tuesday, May 19th the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to petition the Governor to move further into phase 2 of the state’s four-stage reopening. The move would allow for restaurants to have dine-in customers. The board also advanced the proposal for a pilot program to test reopening some businesses, including reopening barbershops and hair salons, shuttered until Stage 3. More information will be announced regarding this issue on local news stations and local newspapers as this item is reviewed by the Governor and his decision is made. Stay tuned!
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Sorrento Therapeutics Creates Antibody To Fight COVID
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Sorrento Therapeutics of San Diego stated that an antibody it is developing proved highly effective in blocking the novel coronavirus in laboratory experiments – a possible first step in the creation of a drug cocktail to battle COVID-19. The antibody, known as STI-1499, performed well in an
in vitro virus infection experiment at a very low concentration. As recently announced, Sorrento aims to generate an antibody cocktail product that would act as a “protective shield” against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection and remain effective even if virus mutations render a single antibody therapy less effective over time. For more information, visit
www.sorrentotherapeutics.com.
Source – Sorrento Therapeutics.
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Nordstrom to Permanently Close North County Store
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The Nordstrom department store in Escondido is permanently closing its doors this summer, ending a 34-year tenure as an anchor tenant of the Westfield North County shopping mall. Escondido is one of 16 Nordstrom stores forced to close permanently by August due to COVID-19. Six of those stores are based in California.
Source: The San Diego Union Tribune – Brittany Meiling.
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Neiman Marcus Seeks Chapter 11 Protection
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The nearly 112-year old luxury department store chain made the announcement on May 7th. Neiman Marcus operates 43 stores, said it expects to emerge from bankruptcy by the coming fall. No mass closings are planned. To continue operating during the restructuring, they are securing $675 million in financing from creditors holding over two-thirds of the company’s debt.
Source: The San Diego Union Tribune – Anne D’Innocenzio
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J.C. Penney Pushed to File for Chapter 11
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The pandemic has pushed the department chain into Chapter 11 bankruptcy. As part of its reorganization, the 118-year old company will be shuttering some stores. The stores will close in phases throughout the Chapter 11 process and details of the first phase will be disclosed in the coming weeks.
Source The San Diego Union Tribune – Anne D’Innocenzio.
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Airports Test Virus Defense Systems
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Airports equipped with full-body scanners, metal detectors and face recognition technology to identify potential terrorists are starting to make room for devices to target the latest global threat: travelers infected with the novel coronavirus. Airports in the U.S. and overseas are testing thermal cameras, sanitation booths and other technologies in hopes of slowing the spread of the virus while reducing the risk of exposing airport screeners to the disease. The company, Thermoteknix Systems, a British company has developed the thermal cameras for airport use. The pandemic has pushed the demand for air travel down by as much as 95% in the U.S. and airport operators hope new screening technologies will give passengers renewed confidence to fly again.
Source – portions from The San Diego Union Tribune – Hugo Martin
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Souplantation – The Latest Coronavirus Casualty
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Souplantation, the San Diego-based chain restaurant that has operated for nearly half a century, is officially closing its doors. After 42 years and as a result of the coronavirus, the chain is now shutting down for good. The closing of all 97 restaurants, 44 of which are in California, will cost 4,400 jobs. The restaurants are popular for buffet-style dining, which provides a self-service type of restaurant, offering self-serve beverages, soups, salad bars and desserts. The buffet concept type of restaurant has been hit hard by the virus and make the reopening of this type of restaurant difficult.
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Recreational Pot Sales Ok’d for Shop in La Mesa
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La Mesa’s first legal medicinal cannabis dispensary is now selling adult-use cannabis products too, the only East County operation allowed to do so. The Grove opened in July 2018 in the city’s industrial zone to sell cannabis items with county or state authorized medical marijuana identification cards. Recently the store began offering recreational-use flowers, vaping cartridges, edibles and tinctures. In November 2016, California voters, including 59 percent of La Mesa residents, approved Proposition 64, which require a state license for any commercial non-medical cannabis activities. At the same time, 53 percent of La Mesa voters passed Measure U authorizing and regulating by permit medical marijuana dispensary, and the cultivating and manufacturing of medical marijuana.
Source: Portions from The San Diego Union Tribune – by Karen Pearlman.
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Drive-Thru Graduations Are Allowed in the County
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Graduation activities will look difference this year due to the pandemic. Graduates will be able to have a type of celebration, while keeping the social distancing guidelines. Individual school districts will have the decision on the guidelines. The general guidelines for Drive-Thru graduations are: No exiting the vehicle, No opening of a snack-bar, bookstore or any type of concession stand, no opening of restrooms, no spectators – period, only members of the same household may be in the vehicle. The Chamber sends our congratulations to all of this year’s graduates and wish them a successful future. We hope they can celebrate in “style” after the pandemic!
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More Recreational Areas Open
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The following lakes and reservoirs are now open to the public with limited use in San Diego County to maintain psychical distancing and facial covering rules. Frequent restroom cleaning, parking lot capacity reductions, and physical distancing enforcement and monitoring are in effect under new protocols for COVID-19 preventative measures.
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Bob Dylan Cancels His 2020 U.S. Summer Tour
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The pandemic is the reason that Bob Dylan has cancelled his U.S. tour, which included a show June 17th at Pachanga Arena San Diego. Efforts to postpone the tour for later in 2020 did not prove reasonable. Tickets can be refunded at point of purchase.
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Several Casinos Open This Week
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Viejas Casino was the first of local casinos to open this week and what a crowd were waiting to enter. Others to open this week are Sycuan Casino that opened on Wednesday, Jamul Casino that opens on Thursday and Valley View Casino opens on Friday. These casinos have put together a robust cleaning and disinfecting plan and some will even close in the early morning hours to do deep cleaning. You may go to all of their websites to learn more.
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Big Bay Boom 2020 Is Cancelled
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The Big Bay Boom, San Diego’s annual waterfront fireworks extravaganza, has been cancelled, making it the latest event casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 8th, organizers of the celebratory Fourth of July show, which was expected to cost around $700,000 and draws a half-million spectators to San Diego Bay, said the Big Bay Boom is a no-go because of state and county public health orders that prohibit large gatherings. This event was expected to cost around $700,000 and draw a half-million spectators to San Diego Bay. The decision follows Fourth of July celebration cancellations previously announced by Coronado and Imperial Beach.
Source: The San Diego Union Tribune – Jennifer Van Grove
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Business owners without employees who were rejected or never heard back are encouraged to take the
COVID-19 PPP relief survey for qualification and assistance through the application process.
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A second round of the federal emergency Payment Protection Program is currently open.
LISC is now accepting applications for MWBEs, VBEs and nonprofits in our service area. At this time, we cannot accept applications for organizations engaged in real estate development. To apply,
fill out the following survey.
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COVID-19 Business Support
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The San Diego Workforce Partnership offers unique workforce solutions to help businesses throughout the County. To learn more about the services and resources available,
click here.
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San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Advice Clinic
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San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program (SDVLP) Attorneys are providing remote consultations to eligible organizations on legal issues arising out of the pandemic. Consultations will last up to 45 minutes and are provided free of charge.
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A new statewide program which benefits our entire community, from jobs for service industry workers, business for restaurant owners, to free meals for essential workers.
The program provides a combination of public and private dollars to restaurant owners who commit to ensuring livable wages and increased equity for their employees when the industry is fully re-opened in 2021. Participating restaurants then provide free meals to low-wage workers, health care workers and others in need.
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Women’s Empowerment Loan Fund
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These funds are to support San Diego businesses that have been earing revenue for at least 12 months and have viable path forward in the COVID economy.
Click here to apply.
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Institute for Organization Management (IOM) Webinar Series
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May 21 - 11:30AM
Join the U.S. Chamber Foundation's Institute for Organization Management (IOM) for the next event of its webinar series on current issues affecting the nonprofit industry. Each webinar features new topical discussions—the next being a conversation about why setting up a COVID-19 task force is a proactive and beneficial strategy.
CONNECT TO WEBINAR
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U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Path Forward Program
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May 21 - 3pm
A dialogue led by U.S. Chamber president Suzanne Clark on helping America prepare to restart the economy and get millions of people back to work.
This installment of Path Forward will feature conversations about social distancing, sanitization, and more methods for creating a healthy environment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
REGISTER HERE
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Distilling Chaos & Taking Action
(Workshop 5 of 5)
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May 22 - 10am
In the lead-up to San Diego Startup Week 2020, this Startup Series is brought to you by Startup San Diego, Mission Edge, Downtown San Diego Partnership, and Collaboratory for Downtown Innovation. This workshop (final of five) is designed for entrepreneurs, early-stage business owners, and founders who are ready to take the next step, whether it be taking their idea to the next level or moving on to something new.
REGISTER HERE
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Small Business Majority's 30-minute California Policy Update
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May 22 - 10pm
Small Business Majority and CAMEO invites you to join us to hear updates on funding options and new policies that could impact your business. Topics of discussion include policy updates, updates on PPP and EIDL, additional tools and resources for small businesses, latest updates on Governor Newsom's phased reopening plan, and Q&A.
REGISTER HERE.
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Chamber Members Open for Business
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Carl Burger Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM World
Sales: Mon-Sat 8:30AM-5PM, Sun 10-5PM, 619-777-8173
Service: Mon - Fri 8AM-5PM - Sat, 619-862-2843
Parts: 619-678-1768
Integrated Mac Solutions
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Marque Urgent Care
Uneeke Boutique
(619) 825-9487
Curbside pickup at 4674 Nebo Dr. in La Mesa
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Anthony's Fish Grotto
Takeout and retail 2-7pm, 7 days a week
9530 Murray Drive in La Mesa
BJs Restaurant and Brewhouse
Delivery: 11am - 11:30pm
Curbside Pickup: 11am - 9pm
(619) 589-7222
5500 Grossmont Drive
Brew Coffee Spot
Online Ordering & Pickup
(619) 246-1244
6101 Lake Murray Blvd. in La Mesa
Cali Comfort BBQ
Take out: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. 7 days a week.
619-337-0670
8910 Troy Street in Spring Valley
Cucina Basilico
Takeout: 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
(619) 825-3171.
7200 Parkway Dr. in La Mesa
Dream Dinners
Easy, Homemade Meals
(619) 460-6800
5208 Jackson Dr #116 - La Mesa
Edible Arrangements
Free delivery
(619) 464-1111
8237 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa
El Pollo Loco
10 a.m. - 10 p.m. for drive through meals.
(619) 797-1956
4990 Baltimore Drive in La Mesa
Himalayan Cuisine
Take out: 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sunday - Thursday
Friday & Saturday: 11am - 10pm
(619) 461-2503
7918 El Cajon Blvd #P in La Mesa
Hooleys Public House
Tue-Thur 3:30-7:30pm & Fri-Sat 3:30-8:30pm
(619) 713-6900
5500 Grossmont Center Dr. #277
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Los Pinos Taco Shop
Takeout: Mon - Sat 10:30am - 9pm.
Sunday 4 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
(619) 462-5031
5646 Lake Murray Blvd in La Mesa
Marie Callender's
Takeout: 11am - 8pm
(619) 465-1910.
6950 Alvarado Rd. in San Diego
Nonno's Ristorante Italiano
Take out: Lunch 11am - 2pm, Dinner 4pm - 9pm
Closed Sunday & Monday
(619) 337-9559
5314 Baltimore Drive in La Mesa
Red Lobster
Takeout:
Sun - Thurs: 11am - 10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am - 11pm
(619) 463-4449
8703 Murray Drive in La Mesa
San Pasqual Winery
Order pickups and bottles to go only (no wine service) - Mon - Fri 12 - 6 & Sat & Sun 12 - 5
(619) 462-1797
8364 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa
Surf Rider Pizza Co.
Takeout: Tuesday - Sunday 11:30am - 7:30pm
(619) 340-1270
8381 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa
The Lunch Box
Take out: Tue - Fri 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Saturday breakfast take out 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
(619) 463-4013
8751 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa
Valley Farm Market
Fresh meat, chicken and fish, as well as milk, eggs, bread and fresh produce. Products are available on a “first come, first served” basis.
(619) 463-9595
9040 Campo Rd. in Spring Valley
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Thank you for your support!
Mary England
President & CEO
Cell: 619-251-7730
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La Mesa Chamber of Commerce ∙ 8080 La Mesa Blvd. Ste. 212 ∙ La Mesa, California 91942
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Copyright © 2020 All Rights Reserved.
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