City Buzz

Monday, July 16, 2018

City Buzz: Troubled times for Magnolia Park business district

Troubled times for Magnolia Park business district again. The sometimes quirky, sometimes funky, but definitely unique business sector stretches from North Clybourn Avenue to North Victory Boulevard on Magnolia Boulevard and West Chandler Boulevard to Clark Avenue on Hollywood Way. Much of the action is concentrated on Magnolia. The collection of vintage shops, eateries, one-of-a-kind emporiums, and small businesses on […]
Tuesday, June 19, 2018

City Buzz: Whole Foods Market and other openings

The wait is almost over for the much talked about Whole Foods Market in Burbank. Since opening in Austin, Texas in 1980, the upscale market has become one of the most popular and most desired among shoppers. Also, last summer’s purchase of Whole Foods by the giant Amazon has the lure of lower prices as well. The Media City Whole […]
Monday, December 11, 2017

City Buzz: New retail outlets, restaurants, and a chance to be on TV

Target Magnolia Park construction underway A lot of construction at the site of the new Target store on Hollywood Way in Magnolia Park lately. The project apparently was hung up in plan check for a while, but now appears to be racing to meet a 2018 opening. This Target store is a new design, smaller than usual. It will be […]
Wednesday, August 30, 2017

City Buzz: Major Burbank retailer to shutdown and new hotel in the works

As the long Labor Day weekend approaches, employees at a major retailer in Burbank are facing an uncertain future.  Staples at 1060 West Alameda Avenue is shutting down in a few weeks. Apparently, the customer volume has dropped off significantly at the office supply store in the Rancho Marketplace Shopping Center. Earlier this year, Staples announced it would be shuttering […]
Sunday, June 25, 2017

City Buzz: Changes at Burbank City Hall and around town

Some changes and developments in the Media City as we head into the last week of June 2017. Burbank City Hall — After five years as Burbank’s Public Information Officer, Drew Sugars, is moving on. Sugars’ departure was officially announced late last Friday in a news release from City Hall. The veteran broadcast journalist will become the Director of Communications […]
Wednesday, November 30, 2016

City Buzz: New grocery store, update on tragic accident

A new grocery store will soon open in Burbank. Banners for Grocery Outlet are plastered on the old site of the Fresh & Easy store at 1625 West Verdugo Avenue. Grocery Outlet calls itself a bargain market and in its company statement claims:”We offer brand-name, quality products at up to 40-70% off conventional retail prices.” There are reportedly more than […]
Monday, February 22, 2016

City Buzz: Crime and quality of life worries in Burbank

Crime and quality of life worries in Burbank prompted a face-off between residents and some city officials last week at the Worshipwalk Church, 3310 West Magnolia Blvd. No, Burbank hasn’t dropped into a pit of total despair, but it has taken some hits lately and that has spiked the concerns of many residents. Burbank Mayor, Bob Frutos, admitted at the […]
Wednesday, November 25, 2015

City Buzz — Mark Scott, emails, and the city council

Outgoing City Manager, Mark Scott, has B-town buzzing for a number of reasons. First of course, his ultimatum to city council members to approve a reclassification/promotion for an employee under the threat that he would resign if they refused to capitulate. Three council members faced down that threat and voted against the change. At that infamous November 16 city council meeting […]
Tuesday, November 17, 2015

City Buzz: Burbank city manager threatens to resign

Last night’s city council meeting produced a bombshell and it had nothing to do with the council’s approval or so-called endorsement of the controversial Bob Hope Airport Replacement Terminal Conceptual Term Sheet. The Burbank Airport Authority overwhelmingly gave this framework for an airport replacement terminal agreement a thumbs up two weeks ago. At the council meeting Monday night, Mayor Bob […]