Business & Tech
Petaluma Pie Co. Planning Expansion, EPIC Donates and Scholastics Moves
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.
When you’re the new guy in town, it’s always a good idea to bring a present to the party during the holiday season.
That’s what Edgewood Partners Insurance Center (EPIC) did for San Antonio Volunteer Fire Department (SAVFD) with a $13,373 grant, in a partnership with Novato-based Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co., to help fund a rescue boat with an outboard motor and utility trailer.
“The firefighters were able to get a swift water boat under their tree,” said EPIC Managing Principle Bill Merget.
Find out what's happening in Petalumafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
EPIC, a commercial insurance broker that relocated to Petaluma in August, met with SAVFD last Thursday, Dec. 9, to officially receive the grant. SAVFD is an all-volunteer fire department located on the south end of Petaluma, next to Shamrock Materials.
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A year after Petaluma Pie Company opened shop in Putnam Plaza, the business is planning an expansion that could add tables to its outdoor dining area and build a bigger kitchen.
Find out what's happening in Petalumafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Meanwhile, Petaluma Company will hold an open house at its pop-up store, located next door, this Saturday, Dec. 17 from 1 to 5 p.m. Open since Dec. 1, the pop-up location is selling local handmade jewelry, soaps, perfumes, home décor, paintings and other items. The store is offering a free cup of coffee and homemade cookies for those who attend.
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G & C AutoBody will add solar panels to its locations in Petaluma and Santa Rosa by the end of this month, after its Windsor store added panels last summer.
The cost of the upgrade to all three locations is estimated at $2 million, with the Petaluma retrofit costing $450,000, according to Chief Operations Office Shawn Crozat.
"We use a lot of energy as a part of what we do," said Crozat. "We're aiming that the solar panels will reduce electric costs by 90 percent."
Federal grants will pay for about a third of the initial costs of installation.
Crozat hopes that the panels will help serve to remind customers about its commitment about staying local, including with its power supply.
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Scholastic Inc. has moved from 1805 S. McDowell Blvd. Extension to 2180 S. McDowell Blvd. Extension.
“We moved locations due to a change in ownership at the old building,” said Scholastic Senior Vice President Kyle Good. “The new owner used the space for his company.”
That new owner is Dharma Trading Co., a fiber arts and clothing supply company, which will use the space as its base of operations.
Scholastic operates Math Solutions, a business that was acquired in 2010, out of Petaluma. Math Solutions develops comprehensive approaches for teaching math for K-through-12 students. Scholastics' new landlord is LBA Realty.
