Sales Tax Revenues Up in Monrovia

Sales tax revenues are on the rise in Monrovia, according to the Mid-Year Budget Review presented to the Monrovia City Council last week. The final sales tax numbers for 2010-11 were 8.5 percent greater than compared to the previous year. The increase can be attributed to a bump in auto sales and from revenue generated by new retail stores such as Living Spaces and Paul's TV, both of which opened in late 2009.

According to the Report, which takes a look at the status of current expenditures and revenues coming in and out of the City:

Sales Tax – The final sales tax numbers for 2010-11 came in at $7,833,616, which was an 8.5% increase over the prior year. This increase included one-time increases due to having a full twelve months of revenue from retail stores Living Spaces and Paul’s TV, which were not included in 2009-10 sales tax numbers. But even then, sales tax activity is showing strong signs of recovery. Revenue from auto sales and leasing are strong again, after two years of huge decreases. Building and construction activity is still flat, as the housing market muddles through more foreclosures and high unemployment. For 2011-12, the current budget is $8,252,502. This anticipated a 5% growth over the prior year. Projecting an 8% growth now will generate an additional $151,859 of revenue.

The trend follows regional and national reports that the economy is in recovery.

The Wall Street Journal reported today that the number of U.S. workers seeking unemployment benefits this month is well below the figure compared to a year ago.

The U.S. Census Bureau reported earlier this month that retail and food services sales were up 6.7 percent in November compared to a year ago, with the largest increase coming from auto sales.

And the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) stated in its Mid-Year Economic Forecast that retail sales would continue to grow -- though the recovery for housing, lease rates, and local government finance is another story, according to the LAEDC.

Job Seekers Event on Jan. 7

Is finding a job on your New Year's Resolution List? If so, the Friends of the Monrovia Public Library is sponsoring an all-day "Job Seekers" event from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7. Learn tips on job searching, dressing for success, and resume building.

New Year's Eve Party in Old Town

Spend New Year's Eve in Old Town. Here are the details:

Business Tip: Business Loans Available to Pay for Windstorm Damage

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering Disaster Assistance Loans of up to $2 million for businesses that lost revenue, suffered damaged buildings, or where equipment was destroyed as a result of  the recent windstorm.

According to a press release issued by the S.B.A.:

Businesses of any size and private, nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

Interest rates can be as low as 2.063 percent for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for private, nonprofit organizations and 4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based upon each applicant’s financial condition.

Applicants may apply by clicking here.

Indian Restaurant Now Open...and Is Hiring

Myrtle Avenue has another culinary adventure to add to its already worldly mix. Last week, Old Town Monrovia welcomed Noor's Indian Bistro at 106 S. Myrtle Avenue. And according to the sign hanging from their window, the restaurant is hiring, too. The restaurant fills a vacancy left by former Japanese fast-food establishment, Teri & Yaki.

This sit down restaurant will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Staff photo

Tables are set and lunch will be ready at Noor's Indian

Bistro, at 106 S. Myrtle Avenue.

Staff photo

Noor's Indian Bistro is in the same shopping center as Urbane

Beauty, Quizno's Sub, and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

New Nail Salon Opens on Huntington Drive

In Old Town Monrovia, there are plenty of nail salons to choose from. That's why the owners of Peridot Nails and Salon decided to open their business at the Huntington Crossing Center, nearly two miles away from Myrtle Avenue.

Peridot Nails and Spa, which is a full service nail salon complete with new massage and pedicure chairs, waxing stations and facial packages, has been open now for nearly one month. It is located at 935A West Huntington Drive, and neighbors businesses such as Oto Oto, Baja Fresh, Verizon Wireless, and Daphnes California Greek restaurant.

This is just a sample of services offered by the salon. Hours are Monday

through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.   



Local Home Depot Donates Christmas Tree

Photo: City Staff

Home Depot's sign was blown away during

the Foothill Windstorm last week

Home Depot's sign may be gone, but its giving spirit sure isn't. 

On Tuesday night at the City Council meeting, it was announced that our local Home Depot would be donating a 17-foot Cedrus Deodara -- a.k.a . California Christmas Tree -- to the City of Monrovia to be used as the City's future Christmas Tree.

This generous donation follows the sad news last week that the City's 60-year-old Christmas Tree in Library Park fell victim to the windstorm.

No word yet on when or where the tree will be planted.

Photo: Livinginmonrovia.blogspot.com

BEFORE: The former Old Town Christmas Tree

in all its glory in this 2005 photo.

Photo: City Staff

AFTER: This was taken on Dec. 2, a day after the windstorm

knocked down the 60-year-old tree in Library Park.



New Chase Bank Opens on Huntington

A shiny new Chase Bank is now fully functional at 690 W. Huntington Drive, located where Spires Restaurant was formerly located. This is Monrovia's third Chase Bank. For more information on this branch, click here.


Chase Bank recently opened at 690 W. Huntington Drive, in the western 
corner of the Huntington Oaks Shopping Center.



Power to Old Town Monrovia 100 Percent Back Following Windstorm

Well, it only took six days, but power has been restored to 100 percent of the businesses in Old Town Monrovia following the windstorm that swept away much of the power in the San Gabriel Valley last Wednesday.

Power came back on early this morning for the businesses on the 100 through 400 blocks on the east side of Myrtle Avenue, including Krikorian Theater,  Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and side street businesses such as Pho Lemon.

As far as the pther Old Town businesses, power was restored to the east side of the 500 block of Myrtle Avenue almost immediately on early Thursday, while other businesses saw power restored by the weekend.

Be sure to dine and shop in Old Town Monrovia to help these businesses recover from their loss.

This is all that remained of the City's Christmas Tree           

last Friday.

     Holiday decorations in Old Town were among the casaulties 

     in the windstorm that occurred last Wedensday and Thursday.