Local businesses shutting their doors

More local businesses are set to shutter their doors or already have.

Laguna Beach Auto Supply and Hardware will close within the next few months, said Jordan Piper, daughter of the late Jerry Piper, who opened the family business in Laguna Beach 31 years ago. Jerry Piper died last December at age 60.

“We love having the business, but it’s a time commitment and we don’t have the personnel,” Jordan Piper said. “It was Jerry’s passion.”

He opened the original store on Broadway Street and then moved to the current Coast Highway location about 15 years ago, Piper said. The store sells a range of items, including filters, brake pads, rotors, light bulbs, gardening supplies and antique auto parts.

Piper said a specific closing date has not been set.

“We have a lot of inventory to go through,” she said.

Customers can get 30% off items in stock.

Piper said a family friend, her mom and sister have helped run the business since Jerry’s death.

The store is located at 1796 South Coast Highway.

Earlier this week, Katsuya by Starck, a Japanese restaurant along Coast Highway, closed following Monday’s dinner service.

A receptionist confirmed the news midday Monday.

“While the restaurant enjoyed nearly two years of success in the community, sbe is pursuing a new Orange County location for the brand,” according to a statement from sbe Entertainment Group, of which Katsuya is a part.

“Despite the closure, sbe remains committed to the Laguna Beach community through its partnership in the Umami Burger property as well as its desire to find future Laguna Beach locations for its hotel, restaurant and nightlife brands,” the statement read.

The company would not give a specific reason for the closure, according to Robbie McKay, sbe’s vice president of communications.

Katsuya, known for its crispy rice with spicy tuna and black cod marinated in jalapeño and miso, opened in July 2011. The restaurant is named for head chef Katsuya Uechi, and has seven other locations, including spots in Glendale, Hollywood and Brentwood.

The sbe Entertainment Group also includes The Bazaar by José Andrés in the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills and Cleo, a Mediterranean restaurant inside The Redbury Hotel in Hollywood.

The city’s planning department had not received any applications for the space at 858 S. Coast Highway as of Thursday morning, Planning Manager Ann Larson said.

Meanwhile, a family-owned window and glass repair store is closing at the end of this month.

John Hedges Screen and Glass on Laguna Canyon Road will close between March 28 and 31, said owner John Hedges. His father, also John Hedges, started the business in Laguna Beach in 1954 at a shop along Third Street and Forest Avenue.

The younger Hedges said the changing economy is the main reason he decided to close.

“Three years ago, 70% of my business came from contractors,” Hedges said. “Now contractors are few. I sell primarily to homeowners.”

Hedges cuts glass for tabletops and mirrors and repairs broken windows.

Hedges started helping in the shop at age 7. His father retired in 1990 and John moved the store to an Ocean Avenue location. He then moved to the current location on Laguna Canyon Road in 1999.

Hedges, 60, sold more than glass at one stage, but his father suggested he trim inventory.

“My dad talked me out of selling paint,” Hedges said. He operates the store by himself.

The store is located at 1901 Laguna Canyon Road, Unit 2. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday.

bryce.alderton@latimes.com

Twitter: @aldertonbryce