Pasadena Economic Development Committee to Hear Updates on Local Business Growth

The Pasadena City Council’s Economic Development and Technology (EDTech) Committee will convene on Tuesday, Aug. 20, for a regular meeting to receive updates on recent business developments in the city, among other things.

Economic Development Director David A. Klug will report about the latest economic news, including several new restaurants recently opening their doors in Pasadena, adding to the city’s diverse culinary landscape.

Among these is bbad (Breakfast Burritos All Day), which transitioned from a farmers market pop-up to a brick-and-mortar location at 928 E. Colorado #10, within the Pasadena Hotel & Pool. Known for its music-inspired cuisine that blends California flavors with rich culinary traditions, bbad now offers a straightforward menu featuring high-quality, responsibly sourced ingredients, and provides catering services for various events.

Tendon Tempura Carlos Jr., a Japanese-inspired eatery, launched in July in the Playhouse Village at 694 E. Colorado Blvd. The restaurant showcases Chef Carlos Pinto’s tempura recipes. Chef Carlos, originally from Peru, moved to Japan at 22, where he fell in love with Japanese culture and cuisine, particularly tempura. After training and working in Japan and the US, he opened Tendon Tempura Carlos Jr. in Torrance in November 2019, and later expanded to Pasadena.

Nha Trang Vietnamese Cuisine opened a new location in Old Pasadena at 28 N. Raymond Ave. in July. The family-owned establishment, known for its noodle and soup dishes, has been serving customers for over a decade on Valley Blvd. in San Gabriel. Specializing in noodle and soup dishes, as well as Vietnamese iced coffee, noodle salads, and flavorful rice dishes, the restaurant has a curated menu that is freshly prepared and made to order.

In addition to restaurant openings, the committee will hear about the success of C.W. Driver, a Pasadena-based construction company located at 468 N. Rosemead Blvd. The firm has been modernizing educational campuses across Southern California, including multiple California State University campuses, with a focus on safety and adaptive learning environments.

C.W. Driver has integrated advanced safety features into school designs, including forced-entry resistant glazing and privacy walls. The company has also incorporated outdoor areas and flexible environments to enhance student engagement in learning spaces.

The construction firm has completed over $3.88 billion in education facilities, with significant projects in Los Angeles County. These include the redevelopment of campuses within the California State University system.

The EDTech Committee’s public meeting begins at 5 p.m. at the City Council Chamber, Room S249 at City Hall. Residents are welcome to attend.