September 27, 2007

BIZZ BUZZ
Chase Suites will become Holiday Inn Suites
By BARBARA GIASONE THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Chase Suites, which is undergoing a complete renovation, will have a new sign in January: Holiday Inn Suites. The hotel, which is open during reconstruction, recently left the Woodfin Suites operation to join the Intercontinental Hotel Group that owns the brands Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites.

“The franchise owner, who wants to remain anonymous, will remain the same,” said Mike Lemas, front desk agent at the Fullerton site.

Lemas said construction workers are working on one floor at a time in the five-story complex at 2932 E. Nutwood Ave.

There are currently 96 rooms at the hotel, which opened 18 years ago.

NURSING FACILITY REOPENS AS WINDSOR GARDENS

Windsor Gardens, formerly Carriage Manor skilled nursing facility, had grand re-opening Sept. 20, at 245 E. Wilshire Ave.

Owners Larry Feign and Lee Samson of S & F Management of West Hollywood have completed an extensive renovation of the facility.

Administrator Oscar Garcia said there are 98 beds with complete recreation programs.

Information: 714-871-6020.

TEAROOM IS FULLERTON WOMAN’S PASSION

While working 30 years for Ma Bell, Carol Klink had occasion to visit a tearoom in Yorba Linda.

“I fell in love with the concept, and knew that’s what I wanted to do,” Klink said.

Before opening her own tearoom, Klink operated a catering service for 10 years.

Last Memorial Day Weekend, Whimsical Teas debuted in a storefront subleased from California Health Foods at 115 E. Commonwealth Ave. But not before Klink earned certificates in food safety, sanitation, catering and event planning through the North Orange County Regional Occupational Program.

She chose the name “because I wanted something unique and light, something that sounded full of fun. And I wanted to be in Fullerton because it’s quaint – and around the corner from the Red Hat Society store, which supports me by sending its visitors for tea.”

The tearoom features tea and lunch from 11 am. To 5:30 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays.

Prices for sandwiches, quiche, soups and salad combinations start at $6.95.

Klink, who was born in Fullerton and attended Buena Park High School, said she’s able to serve 28 people at a time. Breads are provided by Judy Lynn Bakery a few doors west. Fresh, loose-leaf teas are imported from around the world.

“I still recall making tea for my little brother,” Klink said. “He sat politely and drank it, but I don’t remember if he really liked it.”

The mother of two and grandmother of two lives in Norwalk with her husband, Clifford.

BUSINESS THINKS PINK TO RAISE GREEN

Connie and Deana Gayhart, owners of The Brick Basement at 113 N. Harbor Blvd., hope customers will “be in the pink” from 4 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 1 when they host the first “Dress Pink to Drink” fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

All who attend will be asked to pay a $10 cover charge that will go to the preventive breast cancer programs. The event will feature pink champagne punch, pink cookies and pink cupcakes. The fundraising goal is $2,000. Information: 714-525-3692.

BANK PARTNERS WITH CAL STATE FULLERTON

U.S. Bank has opened a branch on the Cal State Fullerton campus. The new branch is in the Titan Shops portion of the University Bookstore. The opening comes at the same time the bank has become the university’s bank partner for the CSF Titan-Card, a multipurpose identification card for faculty, staff and students – that also doubles as a bank card for U.S. Bank customers.

SALON AND SPA FUNDRAISES FOR CULTURAL CENTER

Salon Lujon & Day Spa is hosting the Muckenthaler Moonlight Masquerade from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 28 at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center. Proceeds will benefit the center’s educational programs that serve all of Orange County. The evening festivities include silent and live auctions, a costume contest, hors d’oeuvres, a no-host martini bar, beer and wine and an opportunity drawing. A costume or mask is required. Tickets are $60 per person. Information: 714-738-6340.

RESTAURANT UNVEILS DOG TREAT MENU

Table Ten Restaurant will stage a “Dogtober Fest” from 9 a.m. to noon on Oct. 21. The event will showcase the café’s new line of homemade Buff Pup dog treats. Table Ten is at 124 W. Commonwealth Ave. Information: 714-526-3210.

FULLERTON BUSINESS MOVES TO SANTA ANA

After operating the Fullerton branch of Worldview Travel at the corner of Harbor Boulevard and Amerige Avenue for eight years, founder Ricci Zukerman has moved the office to the more spacious headquarters location in Santa Ana. Zukerman offered all of Fullerton’s 10 agents their same positions except for Fullerton’s former manager, Patti Carter, who is the manager of Leisure and Corporate operations – responsible for a staff of 60. The corporate headquarters is at 101 W. Fourth Ave., Suite 400, Santa Ana. Information: 1-800-627-8726.

CHAMBER MEMBERS GET UPDATE ON HOSPITAL

Linda Parton, representing St. Jude Medical Center, will update the Chamber of Commerce on the progress of the hospital at the Sept. 25 Networking Luncheon. The program begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Wyndham Hotel, 222 W. Houston Ave. The cost for lunch is $12 for members, $15 for non-members and guests. Information: 714-871-3100.

AUTO CLUB URGES CARE AROUND SCHOOLS

Rachel Chavez, manager of the Automobile Club of southern California in Fullerton, cautions motorists that with the opening of the school year to be mindful of children on foot and bicycles. In 2005, California children under age 15 accounted for 22 percent of pedestrian fatalities and 22.8 percent of bicycle fatalities and injuries. “Young pedestrians and cyclists are not skilled at making correct judgments about traffic speed and distance,” Chavez said. For 74 years, AAA has conducted its “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” campaign.