– San Fernando Valley Sylmar Allied Beverages Inc., a major Southern California beer distributor, is now a unit of the nation’s largest beer distributor. Reyes Beverage Group announced Jan. 17 that its acquisition of the Sylmar distributor closed. Neither party has disclosed any financials, but industry experts have pegged the deal at roughly $225 million. Reyes Beverage, a unit of Reyes Holdings LLC of Rosemont, Ill., distributes more than 100 million cases of beer annually. The Allied purchase will add about 13 million cases to that number. Northridge Bonefish Grill has opened its first Valley restaurant at the Northridge Fashion Center. The Tampa, Fla. seafood chain’s 5,500-square-foot outlet features an indoor and outdoor dining area and patio. The menu includes an assortment of seafood items and flavors, ranging from Asian-inspired shrimp to fish and chips. The chain operates restaurants in more than 30 states, with the only other California restaurant in Tustin. Chatsworth A Chatsworth man was arrested on charges of running a nearly $4 million Ponzi scheme that targeted Latinos, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Luis Alonso Serna, 61, was the pastor of Zion Living Word Christian Center (formerly Amistad Cristiana) in San Fernando, and he also operated Architects of the Future Investments, a company that purportedly traded in foreign currencies. According to the government’s indictment, Serna claimed to be a successful investor but instead operated a Ponzi scheme by soliciting funds from investors with false claims that their money would be used to purchase foreign currency. Burbank Air charter and cargo service provider Ameriflight LLC has been acquired by Pebbles Aviation LLC, an investment group in Sarasota, Fla. Ameriflight, based at Burbank Bob Hope Airport, provides feeder services to overnight express carriers UPS, FedEx and DHL. The company employees more than 600 nationwide and its 170 aircraft fly throughout North America and the Caribbean. Home furnishings retailer Ikea has moved one step closer to opening a new Burbank outlet that will be the largest for the chain in the United States. The Burbank Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council approve the project. The Council will likely meet next month to consider a final go-ahead. Ikea, owned by Ingka Holding of the Netherlands, wants to build a 470,000-square-foot store at 805 S. San Fernando Blvd., less than a mile south of the existing Ikea next to the Burbank Town Center mall. Studio City Fast-casual pizza chain PizzaRev has signed franchise agreements for more than 20 new outlets in five states. The agreements will add to the Studio City chain’s presence in Southern California and expand its footprint to Utah, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. It currently operates outlets in Northridge, Studio City, Woodland Hills, El Segundo, Burbank and Oxnard. PizzaRev uses a food-assembly operation similar to a Chipotle Mexican Grill and features high-temperature, fast-cook ovens. – Conejo Valley Westlake Village LTC Properties Inc. will not renew leases with two Wisconsin firms that operate more than a third of its assisted-living facilities. The Westlake Village real estate investment trust will allow 37 leases with Assisted Living Concepts Inc. of Menomonee Falls and Extendicare Health Services Inc. of Milwaukee to expire at the end of the year and re-lease the properties. The 37 properties generated more than 9 percent of LTC’s total pro-forma revenue in the third quarter. LTC’s portfolio includes 84 skilled-nursing homes, 105 assisted-living facilities and other properties. Thousand Oaks Amgen Inc. has entered into two partnerships that the biotech hopes will eventually expand its product offerings to treat bowel disorders and colorectal cancer. Amgen will work with the Massachusetts General Hospital, the Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology to share research to develop treatments for inflammatory bowel disease. Separately, San Diego drug developer Illumina Inc. said it signed an agreement with Amgen to develop a genetic diagnostic test for Amgen’s Vectibix, which treats late-stage colorectal cancer. – Antelope Valley Palmdale Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon will not seek re-election to represent a district that includes Santa Clarita and parts of the Antelope Valley. McKeon, a Republican, has served as chairman of the House Armed Services Committee since 2011. McKeon was a strong supporter of the aerospace and defense industry in the region, which is home to operations of Lockheed Martin Corp. of Bethesda, Md.; Northrop Grumman Corp. of Falls Church, Va.; and Boeing Co. of Chicago, as well as many subcontractors. He was expressly interested in preserving local jobs amid Pentagon budget cuts. Around the Valleys To be considered for publication, submissions should be emailed to: [email protected]. If you do not receive a response in a timely manner, call (818) 316-3123.
Around the Valleys
