DSW Grand Opening Today at Vintage Oaks

For Novato fashionistas in the know, soft opening on Wednesday at the was a shoe-lover’s idea of heaven.

Thousands of shoes, boxed and pristinely wrapped in tissue, were in stock and ready to be tried on for the first time by shoppers, while a team of newly-trained, head-set wearing staff were standing by to assist.

For those who previously shopped at the dimly lit , which formerly occupied the space, the shoe store remodel is a complete makeover.

The new space stays true to its name.  It is an 18,000 square-foot warehouse — a shoe paradise — with good lighting, sleek and organized displays and plenty of stock including handbags, accessories and men’s, women’s and kids' shoes.

Store manager Jennifer Myers said the official grand opening is today, Sept. 29.

DSW is at 136 Vintage Way in Novato. Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

VP Recognized for 50 Years in Industry

Bob Bourdet, vice-president of Novato-based W. Bradley Electric's electrical division, received national recognition from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Washington, D.C., where he was recently interviewed for an article about his 50 years of dedication to the construction industry. Check out the attached YouTube video.

Bourdet’s 50-year career path began as a journeyman wireman, then as a foreman and now as an instructor in the Bay Area.

Bourdet has taught more than 1,100 apprentices over the past four decades. More than 700 journeymen have also learned estimating skills from Bourdet in his other role as a 31-year veteran instructor with the National Electrical Contractors Association.

"The big thing about teaching and doing it for this long is you get lots back from it. And I continue to get a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment out of what I do," said Bourdet.

Now 69 years old, Bourdet shows no signs of slowing down. "I may retire in a few years ... maybe," he said.

W. Bradley Electric, Inc., based in Novato, has been serving Northern California with six divisions for over 34 years. Its services include electrical, telcom, security, audio/visual, traffic and network.

Fresh Starts Catering & Key Room Go Green

and the event space in Novato, two social enterprise projects at , have joined the list of certified green businesses in Marin County.

Fresh Starts Catering and the Key Room are part of the , a housing and job-training campus in the Hamilton neighborhood of Novato that opened in 2008.

Construction of the center included solar panels that produce electricity and hot water, kick-starting efforts to “green” the businesses.

In preparing for green business certification, leaders in the catering and Key Room team reviewed purchasing, training and product use to ensure operations meet the standards of the Bay Area Green Business Program.

For example, all paper products include recycled content and all delivery packaging is recyclable, reusable or compostable, according to the Homeward Bound of Marin staff.

Fresh Starts Catering prepares and serves food for on-site meetings and parties in the Key Room as well as off-site events. The Key Room is a 150-person event space that has been used for community meetings, hiring fairs, wedding receptions, team parties and celebrations for birthdays and retirement.

For more information, visit www.hbofm.org or call Rosalie Arcadi, catering and event coordinator, at 415-382-3363, ext. 214.

999 Grant Avenue Update

Ghilotti Construction will move equipment onto the future site of Circle Bank’s headquarters to prepare for installation of curbs, according to Circle Bank spokesperson Gary Tobin of Tobin & Associates. Some additional permitting was also added to the project timeline.

“We've submitted some interior design changes for the branch, things like restrooms,” said Tobin in an e-mail.

The property is now listed on LoopNet as retail property available for lease. The listing shows 7,500 square feet of available space in the 10,000 square foot building. The rental rate is listed at $3.50 per square foot/per month.

The property is being marketed as a prime corner location, ideal for restaurants, hair salon, shops or wine bar that is projected to be available in spring 2010.

Steven Leonard and Brian Foster of Cassidy Turley/BT Commercial are the agents.