Business & Tech
Lyon's to Become Lumberjacks, Permalla Dental Earns Green Award and More
Down to Business is a weekly column that focuses on what local companies are hiring, expanding and making national headlines. Got a tip? Send it to reporter Kevin King, email below, or to Patch editor Karina Ioffee at karina@patch.com
Lyon's Restaurant, at 732 E. Washington St., closed October 31, and will be converted to Lumberjacks Restaurant, a North California chain known for its hearty meals and big portions.
“When we join a group like Lumberjacks, it gives us more buying power, to buy more for less and keep our prices low," said Petaluma franchise owner Sam Zakot.
The change was made to upgrade the restaurant and bring in a younger crowd, according to Zakot, and the restaurant is planning a Dec. 5 opening.
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The only issue he’s had with the opening is the trademark 11-foot lumberjack statue that stands outside the restaurant, since the city has an ordinance against statues of that size. Zakot has planned to scale down the size of the statue, possibly at the front door.
Zakot will keep all his employees when the restaurant transfers and will hire about 15 more workers to accommodate the new franchise. Zagot also plans to accommodate those who’ve been coming to Lyons for years.
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“We’ve been talking to our regulars for the last three to four weeks,” said Zakot. “We’re going to have the regulars come for the grand opening.”
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Permalla Dental Care earns a pair of awards for its green business ways.
First, the Sonoma Green Business Program awarded the dental office with a green certification, the first dental office in the county to receive such a certification. The Sonoma Green Business Programs is a county-developed program that works in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protective Agency (EPA) to certify companies that comply with certain ecological standards.
That certification caught the attention of the office of California Assemblymember Jared Huffman, who gave Permalla office its second award, the October Sustainable North Bay Award, according to Jenny Callaway, the district director for Huffman.
“We want to shed a light on businesses that find it profitable to use good environmental practices,” said Callaway. “[Permalla is] really nuts-to-bolts in the green business.”
Permalla Dental is green through and through, with virtually every aspect of the office geared to environmental friendliness, from oil-free compressors to eco furnishings, digital-only X-Rays to energy efficient lights.
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North Bay Business Journal (NBBJ) has begun issuing awards of its own, and several Petaluma businesses have received or will be receiving honors.
On December 14, Petaluma Health Center will be receiving on of the NBBJ’s Top Projects Awards in the category of medical. NBBJ Top Projects are companies that invest and contribute to the local business community.
NBBJ also awarded Edgewood Partners Insurance Center (EPIC) and GCX as with the Healthiest Companies Recognition Awards, in the awards’ inaugural year. NBBJ collaborated with the California Center for Well-Being in Sonoma County to create the awards, which recognize corporate wellness and financially stability.
EPIC provides business insurance services; GCX focuses on mounting solutions for medical instruments.
