Saturday, August 16, 2014

City Buzz: Magnolia Park merchants seek solutions to parking problems

Magnolia Boulevard has become a victim of its own success. For years, owners of the quaint shops, antique and collectibles stores, and moderately priced eateries, fought mightily to draw attention to their sleepy street in Burbank’s Magnolia Park. Well, that’s all changed. Magnolia Boulevard is now a hip cool place to shop, mingle, dine, and hang out. The new popularity […]
Saturday, August 9, 2014

Burbank Scene: Long line at Porto’s Bakery and Cafe

If you’re a regular at Porto’s in Burbank , 3614 West Magnolia Boulevard, you get use to the lines. They start forming really early on the weekend. This morning, the line was out the door and angling down the sidewalk on Hollywood Way before 10 a.m. Sigh.  I love their pastries, cakes, treats, and sandwiches. So do a lot of other folks. […]
Wednesday, July 23, 2014

NAACP makes a deal for more African American franchise owners

NAACP is partnering with the parent company of Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin’ Donuts to increase the number of franchises owned by African Americans. Today the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People announced an agreement with Dunkin’ Brands Inc. to create the Diversity Franchising Initiative, according to a posting on Dunkin’ Brands website. “Franchising can be a powerful economic tool that […]
Monday, July 21, 2014

Consumers rate Costco top grocery store in the West

Costco is the top go to grocery store in the Western States for most consumers, according to a the results of a Harris Poll EquiTrend study released today. Back in January of this year,  41,806 consumers, 15 an older, reportedly were quizzed on 40 randomly selected grocery brands. The study examined three key factors: Familiarity, quality, and purchase consideration in […]
Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Glendale Crumbs cupcake shop closed

I had a birthday a few days ago, and I regret not indulging in a Crumbs cupcake, one of the best on the planet. Now the chance for a repeat at that cupcakery is gone. The Crumbs Bake Shop at the Americana in Glendale has been shutdown and the phone disconnected. Apparently the New York-based chain has been struggling financially and […]
Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Burbank Taco Bell back in business after major remodeling

The Taco Bell at Buena Vista Street and Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank is back in business. It had a soft opening last Friday, when they had to work the bugs out of the computer system. The next day, Saturday, the computers were working and the customers were starting to trickle in.  They’re calling this a remodel, but if you remember, […]
Thursday, June 19, 2014

Elephant Bar Restaurant in Burbank closes as part of bankruptcy filing

As some diners have discovered, the Elephant Bar Restaurant in Downtown Burbank has closed. On Monday, June 16, S.B. Restaurant Company, the parent of the Elephant Bar Global Grill/Wok Kitchen chain, reportedly filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The petition to reorganize includes the shutdown of 16 of the casual dining chain restaurants including the one at North First Street and […]
Thursday, June 19, 2014

In-N-Out Burger giveaway in Burbank

The most popular place for lunch in the Media City today was probably the Burbank City Federal Credit Union on West Magnolia Boulevard. A large    In-N-Out truck was parked in front of the financial institution. Members were treated to a free lunch of burgers, potato chips, and drinks from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The credit union has been […]
Friday, June 13, 2014

Hacker attack on P.F. Chang’s restaurants

 Hackers strike again! The P.F. Chang’s restaurant chain has posted a notice on its website acknowledging  a security breach. Last Tuesday, June 10, the chain was alerted to the cyber break in by the U.S. Secret Service. “We initiated an investigation with the United States Secret Service and a team of third-party forensics experts to understand the nature and scope […]