Construction about to start on a new downtown hotel
By Don Callahan
The hotel--Things are beginning to happen at the Ogilvie property at 220 E. Main St. The Kerful Laundry & Dry Cleaning has moved to Saratoga; the Siam Thai Cuisine has moved to DeAnza Boulevard near Cupertino and the La Strada restaurant has closed and been reincarnated as Aldo's Ristorante & Bar on Winchester Boulevard.
When the Planning Commission approved Diane Ogilvie's 83-room hotel plans last October, Ogilvie told the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, "After almost eight years, I think they really want the hotel, especially the merchants on East Main; they need the foot traffic." Now, finally, according to Ogilvie, the demolition of the three properties is supposed to start the week of April 16, and the contractor will start digging for the underground garage."
The firm(s)--Jim Gifford, Ed McDonald and Rusty Rhinehart, three attorneys who had their individual practices at 16275 Los Gatos Blvd, have moved their separate practices to 200 S. Santa Cruz Ave. Gifford, who has practiced in Los Gatos since 1992, moved here after 18-plus years in San Jose. Gifford's practice focuses on estate planning and trust law. McDonald, who specializes in mobile home parks law, has been practicing for 10 years. His clients are the owners of the parks, and his practice covers central and Northern California. McDonald is a 20-year resident of Los Gatos. Rhinehart has a general business law practice and is a specialist in environmental compliance law as it relates to businesses. He has been practicing in Los Gatos since 1982.
007--Claiming to be the oldest gallery in the Bay Area, the James Bond Gallery now has two locations in Los Gatos, the original site at 122 N. Santa Cruz Ave and the second that opened recently at 37 E. Main St. Both locations will carry works of artists that are nationally known. These will be in limited edition serigraphs and originals. Both galleries also do custom framing.
Puppy love--Fluffy Puppy, a dog daycare, grooming and boutique center, is excited by the anticipation of moving into their new quarters. They are in the throes of putting the finishing touches on the interior at 656-A N. Santa Cruz Ave. Their present location is 630 University Ave.
Los Gatos native--David Jones has been promoted to manager of the Edward Jones Brokerage Firm at 101 Church St. The firm was founded in 1871 and is the oldest investment firm on Wall Street. Jones, born at Community Hospital of Los Gatos, attended Marshall Lane Elementary and Rolling Hills Middle School and was a member of Los Gatos High School Class of '93. He attended UC-Santa Barbara and received a degree in economics before going to work at the full-service brokerage firm. He passed the Securities 7 examination which allows him to trade through the New York Stock Exchange and has now reached the top spot in the Los Gatos office.
Deja vu, though not new-- In 1976, Diane Ranger was the sole proprietor of Bare Escentuals, a line of natural fragrances, soaps and lotions, conceived in Los Gatos. Ranger went on to revolutionize the industry again by using a refinement process. Today she is president and founder of "colorescience," a leading Houston-based company. The company offers women a comprehensive collection of mineral makeup that protects skin using natural ingredients. Ranger made an appearance at The Spa-Los Gatos at 100 S. Santa Cruz Ave on March 26, to introduce her cosmetic concept--the same location where she originally conceived her Bare Escentuals line.
Tax time--The Kane Group, 61 E. Main St, in the Forbes Mill building, has added a specialist to the firm, Susan L. Bianchini, E.A. With the addition of Bianchini to the staff, the Kane Group will now be able to provide tax preparation and financial planning to its list of client services. Bianchini began her tax practice in 1978 and passed the U.S. Treasury's Enrolled Agent examination in 1984. In 1996 she passed the Securities' Series 6 and 63 Series, the Department of Insurance's Life Agent's exam and the Variable Annuity Certification to add financial planning to her tax practice.
What's in a name?--Myofascial Physical Therapy, formerly in Lyndon Plaza, has a new name, a new business direction, and a new location. It's now Myofascial Therapy, Center for Health and Healing. Owners Sandy and Joe DeRyke chose the name to reflect Sandy's vision of the business as a "huge drum," she says, "around which her staff of physical, massage and occupational therapists will stand and radiate "beats" of health and well-being to the community--and beyond." The new office, which DeRyke had driven by for 10 years and wished she could have for her work, is located at 16275 Los Gatos Blvd. "The space will allow us to create an environment where clients can learn about choices for health and a dynamic life," she says. "It's large enough for classes, so we can help more people be more well."
She says she and her staff approach wellness, not just by treating the whole body, but also by aligning it with the mind and the spirit. They use a variety of techniques that combine the practices of western medicine and complementary healing. At the new office, clients can expect anything from traditional movement education and manual physical therapy to alternative approaches, such as meditation, acupressure and interactive guided imagery. New classes will be announced soon.
Got a business tip for Don Callahan? Fax him at 408.354.2741 or email at decallahan@home.com.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
