Biz News: Mother’s Market raises $10,000 to help build African school
Mother’s Market & Kitchen, a Costa Mesa-based natural and organic foods retailer, recently raised $10,000 through an in-store fundraiser to help build a school in Togo in West Africa.
Essovale Primary School plans to provide hundreds of children with a clean and safe environment, according to a news release.
“As a company dedicated to supporting the communities it has been serving for 37 years, we were inspired by the opportunity to build a school in Togo, West Africa, and make a difference in the lives of hundreds of children,” Mo Payette, chief executive of Mother’s Market, said in a statement. “With this new school, we hope to give these children the opportunity to receive a good education and the tools they need to build their dreams for the future.”
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Watch maker nominated for industry award
Martian Watches, an Irvine-based analog and smartwatch manufacturer, and Guess Watches have been nominated for an industry award.
The Guess Connect “Powered by Martian” smartwatch is a 2016 nominee in the Best Wearable Mobile Technology category in the Global Mobile Awards. The winner will be announced at the Mobile World Congress show in Barcelona, Spain, this month.
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Astro Pak names new president
Ken Carroll has been appointed president of Astro Pak Corp., a Costa Mesa-based provider of high-purity and precision cleaning services, according to a news release.
Carroll had been Astro Pak’s chief financial officer as the company achieved 50% revenue growth and increased profitability, according to a news release.
Ken Verheyen, formerly the president, was appointed to be the next chief executive.
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Semitrex opens new Irvine design center
Laguna Beach-based Semitrex, a power semiconductor solutions company, has opened a new design center in Irvine.
The new facility “allows the company to expand its presence in the region and tap into the area’s skilled engineering resources,” according to a news release.
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Los Olivos Marketplace has new tenants
Los Olivos Marketplace, near Irvine Center Drive and the 405 Freeway, has new six new tenants: Puesto, a taco shop that is opening its first Orange County location; Burnt Crumbs, a sandwich shop; Cups Frozen Yogurt, a self-serve yogurt shop; Phans55, serving Vietnamese comfort food; Polished Perfect by Twila True, a nail studio; and SwimSpot, a swimwear store.