City Hall: Pasadena Sees Surge in New Business Openings, Initiatives

Pasadena’s Economic Development Division has been actively supporting local businesses. 

In a memo prepared for Tuesday’s City Council Economic Development and Technology Committee meeting, Pasadena Economic Development Director David A. Klug detailed recent new local business openings and programs. 

Notable openings include Lucid Motors, an electric vehicle manufacturer, Topdrawer, a maker of premium bags and accessories, Tomikawa Japanese Restaurant, Criterion Coffee, and PlayLab Beauty, a woman-owned Asian beauty product store.

“The (Economic Development) Division is committed to supporting a thriving local economy,” the memo said.  The report will be reported in detail at the EDTech Committee meeting on Tuesday, June 18.

The Division collaborated with business associations like Playhouse Village on events like the Playhouse Village Association Annual Meeting on June 5, according to the memo. Staff also kicked off Dine Out Pasadena, a pilot program for on-street dining, to facilitate outdoor dining permitting. Seventeen eligible businesses attended the invitation-only kickoff on May 21.

Klug said his staff presented the program details and instructions on how to apply. The division also hosted webinars on June 5 about the program, with applications closing July 1. Another webinar is scheduled for Tuesday. 

The Division surveyed 30 small businesses in Northwest Pasadena on May 30 regarding climate change resilience, partnering with lender Center at Lendistry. Staff also toured career education facilities in Kern County on May 9 for workforce development ideas.

Klug also noted the shift of Rightsify, located at 117 E. Colorado Blvd., “from licensing music to developing an AI music creation tool called Hydra.” The AI generates instrumentals while avoiding vocals, his report said.

The Division additionally presented at the California Preservation Conference on legacy businesses and shop local campaigns on May 30. It is actively engaging businesses and implementing strategic partnerships and initiatives, the memo said.