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Lee Jacobs has served Hawaiian Shave Ice inside the Paseo Nuevo mall in Santa Barbara for the past two years, but come winter, the flavors of shave ice are less popular. So, like a good entrepreneur, Jacobs decided to pivot into a more dynamic space.
He doesn’t see anything wrong with a little Hustle & Grind.
Jacobs is now serving coffee, with the same homemade flavors that decorate the shave ice.
“We put a lot of heart and soul into this thing,” Jacobs told Noozhawk. “We have good people, quality ingredients and a great atmosphere.”
Paseo Nuevo recently lost Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Nordstrom Cafe, two places that sold coffee, so Hustle & Grind aims to serve a need in the area.
The shop serves coffee, mochas, lattes — all of the traditional drinks, but brought to life with vibrant syrups. It also sells a variety of toasts and capreses, all adorned with the slogan “Good Things Happen to Those Who Hustle.”
On Thursday afternoon, employee Nallely Sanchez was busy making coffee drinks. She told Noozhawk that the flavors are different than what people would find at a Starbucks and that the coffee offerings complement the shave ice.
“Everybody enjoys coffee, whether it is hot or cold,” Sanchez said.
She spotlighted the lavender and vanilla syrups and something to taste.
“We make our own syrups,” Sanchez said. “Not a lot of people do that. It’s something that they just buy from other companies. You can totally taste the difference. I love it.”
The company also has partnered with Caje, which roasts the coffee.
Jacobs said he and his business partners have always loved coffee, so opening a specialty coffee shop is a dream.
As for the name, it came from his wife, Chelsea Jacobs.
“One thing we do is we hustle and grind,” he said.
Taylor Frigon Opens Office in Santa Barbara
Paso Robles investment management firm Taylor Frigon Capital Management has opened an office in Santa Barbara.
James McConaghy, director of investor relations, opened the office at the Santa Barbara Club, 1105 Chapala St.
The firm expanded to meet the wealth adviser demand through Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, according to a press release.
“We have deep roots in Santa Barbara,” said Gerry Frigon, president and chief investment officer of Taylor Frigon Capital Management.
The “Taylor” in Taylor Frigon Capital Management honors Richard Taylor, Gerry’s father-in-law, a fund portfolio manager and mentor who died in 2004.
He managed portfolios alongside Thomas Rowe Price Jr. in the 1960s and 1970s before founding his own investment management firm in 1988 in Santa Barbara.
“As a UCSB graduate and Central Coast native, it’s wonderful to be returning to Santa Barbara,” McConaghy said. “I’m looking forward to reconnecting with the community, fellow alumni and those looking to invest in our investment strategies.”
Propulsion Company Launches
A team of Santa Barbara engineers has formed startup LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions.
The aerospace firm emerged from longstanding, Goleta-based technology incubator and think tank LaunchPoint Technologies, according to a news release.
The new company will specialize in supplying “cutting-edge modeling and design software, hardware in the form of electric motors, hybrid gensets and controllers, and control software for the world’s fast-growing electric-and hybrid-electric-powered aircraft sector.”
The materials include flight applications under development by companies such as Uber, air taxi affiliates and the U.S. military.
Robert Reali will serve as LaunchPoint EPS’ CEO. He was previously chief operations officer for Santa Barbara-based startup TrueVision. LaunchPoint EPS has acquired all of the assets of LaunchPoint Technologies related to the electric motor, hybrid-electric gensets and controller business, including patents, intellectual property and proprietary processes, contracts, product orders, inventory, facilities, key personnel, and employees, according to a news release.
“The new company is focused on serving the surging urban air mobility market, which has increased the demand for our power-dense electric motors and control software by the world’s largest players in this space,” Reali said. “The main reason for the spinout from LaunchPoint Technologies is to focus on shipping the products we invented. However, we will also continue the tradition of developing innovative new products to address market needs.”
LaunchPoint EPS is located at 5735 Hollister Ave., Suite B, in Goleta. For more information, click here or call 805.683.9659.
State Street Promenade Market
The State Street Promenade Market between Carrillo and Figueroa streets in Santa Barbara launched on Thursday.
The weekly event is open from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The market is designed to highlight downtown businesses and local artisans.
“The City applauds the Downtown SB Organization for creating an event where everyone in the community feels safe and welcome, and it’s a fun way to enjoy downtown and support our local businesses,” Jason Harris, the city’s economic development manager, said in a statement.
— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
