LAMORINDA WEEKLY | business briefs


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Cutting the Ribbon:

Lafayette Lava Pit Fire Grill

3647 Mount Diablo Blvd., Lafayette

www.lavapit.com, 385-0658

Co-owners Sam Lim and Eddie Chen cut the ribbon of their second Lava Pit in Lamorinda on Thursday, August 26, with the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. The two partners open this restaurant near Trader Joe's with a menu to their first Lava Pit in the Orinda Theater Square. "When I was a student at Cal I was always disappointed by Hawaiian Barbecues whose food felt too greasy, so when I graduated in '05 I decided to open my own place," says Lim. His parents had been working in that industry so he convinced them to come out of retirement to help with the creation of a tasty and healthy Hawaiian/Asian fusion healthy barbecue. The result is a place where you can find grilled meat, Kalua pork, BBQ mix, Katsu Mahi mahi and prawns, and a complete series of curry entrees. Lim notes that since they opened a few weeks ago, they've noticed a lot of return customers. "Once people try us, they always come back!" The Lava Pit is open 7 days a week, from 11am-9pm.

Douglah Designs Relocates

3586 Mount Diablo Blvd., Lafayette

Lafayette's design and remodeling firm, Douglah Designs, Inc. owned by long time Lafayette resident Leila Douglah, has relocating its showroom directly across the street from its previous location in the Clocktower building to 3586 Mount Diablo Blvd. "In the interest of promoting local business and business owners, I am pleased that the new showroom is located in a building owned by Lafayette resident Sean Cooley," says Douglah. The new showroom features many new displays and product lines. The Grand Opening will be held on October 7th from 6-8pm. Douglah Designs cordially invites the community to join the festivities and celebrate the opening of the new showroom and meet Leila Douglah and her design staff.

Latest Rumors on "La Boulange"

3595 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette

After a few delays at La Boulange de Lafayette, staff confirmed the bakery's opening for Wednesday, September 1st from 7am-3pm. Staff also announced a neighborhood open house with light refreshments and treats from 5-6:30pm that day. Regular hours will begin Sept. 2nd (7am-7pm).

News from the three Chambers of Commerce

Tri Chamber Mixer to Celebrate Cal Shakes 20th Anniversary

September 2nd, 2010, 5:30-7pm

The Orinda Chamber invites the Moraga and Lafayette Chambers to join in at a Cal Shakes tri-chamber mixer. Cal Shakes Theatre (Bruns Amphitheater) - 100 Wilder Rd. (formerly Gateway Blvd), Orinda. The Chamber Mixer will celebrate Cal Shakes' 20th year in Orinda and will be followed by a performance of William Shakespeare's play, Macbeth - guests have the option of attending just the Chamber event or staying on to enjoy the show at a special "Friend of the Chamber" reduced admission rate of $25 per person - Chamber members and their guests can go to the Cal Shakes webpage at www.calshakes.org to purchase their tickets online. There will be food and beverages, music, and raffle prizes which will take place in the Upper Grove at the Bruns Amphitheater. The City of Orinda will be presenting a special honor to Cal Shakes for its 20th year in Orinda.

Lafayette

- Social Media Marketing 101 for Small Business on Wednesday, September 15, 8am at the Lafayette Library & Learning Center. The Chamber invites members and friends for a free one-hour morning workshop at the Library and Learning Center on Wednesday, September 15th: Facebook, Twitter & More. "Are you wondering how social media and other 'inbound' marketing efforts can help your business?" asked Chamber Director Jay Lifson, "then this workshop featuring Robin Fox, Social Media & Inbound Marketing Coach, is for you." For reservations please contact robin at workshops@lafayettechamber.org.

Moraga

- Chamber Business Seminar on Tuesday, September 28 from 5:30-8pm. The business seminar is sponsored by Mechanics Bank of Moraga. The Bank is putting together a business program that will support the business community in many ways. It is open to all businesses in Moraga, whether Chamber members or not. More details to follow.

Orinda

- Get ready for the 3rd Annual Orinda Restaurant Tour on Tuesday, September 28. The evening will start with appetizers from 5:30- 6:30 pm, followed by the "Sampling" of downtown restaurants from 6:30-8:00pm. Dessert is from 8:00 -8:30pm Meet at Orinda Theatre Square. Admission will be $30 in advance & $35 at the door. Online purchase for tickets is available now at www.orindachamber.org/OrindaRestaurantTour2010.htm. Only 250 tickets to this popular event are available, so act quickly.