small business

May 20, 2025

Harbor Market Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Celebration!

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The Lomita Chamber of Commerce proudly welcomed Harbor Market with an official ribbon cutting to celebrate their Grand Opening in Harbor City!

As a family-owned neighborhood convenience store, Harbor Market brings top-quality products, friendly service, and a warm, local vibe to the community. We’re honored to have them in our Chamber family and excited to support their continued success!

Special thanks to our Chamber Board Members, Lomita City Councilmember Barry Waite, Rep. Jose Ochoa from Senator Laura Richardson’s office, and representatives from the office of LA City

Councilmember Tim McOsker for helping us recognize this milestone with official certificates.

Congrats again to the Harbor Market team—here’s to many successful years ahead!

Follow Harbor market on Instagram

Find Harbor market located Here ( 25225 Vermont Ave, Harbor City, CA 90710)

January 31, 2025

2025 Board of Directors Announcement

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The Lomita Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce its 2025 Board of Directors and Officers, who will be officially recognized at the Installation & Awards Ceremony on March 6, 2025.

Incoming & Re-Elected Board Members – We welcome the following individuals to the 2025 Board of Directors:

Kim Edwards, HomeStreet Bank (3-year term)
Kevin Gordon, Attorney at Law (3-year term)
Bruno Perron, Still Got It Fitness (3-year term)
Paris Chevalier, South Bay Credit Union (re-elected, 3-year term)
Tabitha Pennington, State Farm Agent (re-elected, 3-year term)
Nayeem Khan, Lomita Mail & Print (appointed to fill a 1-year vacancy)

We are thrilled to have this mix of new and returning leaders on the Board as we continue to serve the Lomita and South Bay business community.

Outgoing Board Members – We extend our gratitude to the following board members for their dedicated service:

Jan Vogel, South Bay Workforce Investment Board
Jeff Koven, Koven Video Productions

Chamber Leadership Roles for 2025 – At the January 2025 Board meeting, the following officers were elected:

Chair: Tracy Maestro, California Water Services Company
Chair-Elect: Sharon Shapiro-Fox, Athens Services
Immediate Past-Chair: Jennifer Olvera, Coastal Funeral Center/Green Hills Memorial Park
Secretary: Mary Hornickel, The Wellness Company
Treasurer: Paris Chevalier, South Bay Credit Union

2025 Lomita Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors:

Andrew Aparicio, The BBQ Element/Element Outdoor
Paris Chevalier, South Bay Credit Union
Kim Edwards, HomeStreet Bank
Laurie Glover, Silverado Memory Care Community
Kevin Gordon, Attorney at Law
Mary Hornickel, The Wellness Company
Nayeem Khan, Lomita Mail & Print
Jane Lau, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services CA
Steve MacAller, Torrance-South Bay YMCA
Tracy Maestro, California Water Service
Jennifer Olvera, Coastal Funeral Center
Tabitha Pennington, State Farm Agent
Bruno Perron, Still Got It Fitness
Sharon Shapiro-Fox, Athens Services
Teresa Workman, Teresa Workman Realty
Mark Waronek, City of Lomita (ex officio liaison)
Heidi Butzine, President/CEO (non-voting Board member)

The Chamber remains deeply appreciative of all Board members—past, present, and incoming—whose leadership drives growth and success for our business community.

We invite you to join us on March 6th to welcome the 2025 Board, celebrate our award winners, and support our community.

July 10, 2024

Understanding Access Laws: ADA Guidance for California Small Businesses

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Small businesses in California must comply with various state and federal disability access laws. Non-compliance can result in significant costs from defending and settling lawsuits.

Key Accessibility Laws

Federal Law: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires businesses to make accessibility improvements to their premises, ensuring that entrances, aisles, bathrooms, service counters, and other features are accessible to people with disabilities. Barriers should be removed if doing so is “readily achievable.”
California State Building Code (Title 24): Compliance is required for new constructions and renovations. This includes making the main entrance, primary paths, and associated features accessible. If construction costs are below a certain threshold, additional accessibility modifications are limited to 20% of the construction expenses.
California Civil Rights Laws: Laws like the Unruh Civil Rights Act and the California Disabled Persons Act ensure individuals with disabilities can fully use and enjoy all business establishments. Violations of the ADA also breach these state laws, which can result in substantial damages in lawsuits.
Senate Bill 1608: This legislation, known as the Construction-Related Accessibility Standards Compliance Act, offers protection against lawsuits for businesses that employ a specially trained expert known as a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) and adhere to their recommendations. Learn more about these inspections here.

Important Reminders

Compliance with building codes does not exempt you from disability rights laws.
The responsibility for compliance primarily lies with your architect and contractor.
Even if the building department approves, you are still accountable for any access violations.

Steps to Reduce Lawsuit Risks

Hire a CASp: They will assess your premises for accessibility barriers and provide an inspection report, which can help if you are sued.
Review and Follow CASp Recommendations: Ensure your premises comply with access laws and remove barriers over time.
Utilize Tax Incentives: Tax credits and deductions are available to offset accessibility improvement costs.
Address Complaints Promptly: Take complaints seriously and seek professional and legal advice to prevent escalation to litigation.

How Can I Fund Access Improvements?

Tax incentives may be available to help mitigate the costs of making accessibility improvements. More information on ADA tax incentives can be found here: https://www.ada.gov/taxcred.htm. Consult your tax advisor for specific advice.

Additional Resources:

Department of Justice: https://www.ada.gov/
CA DOJ Resources for Small Businesses: https://oag.ca.gov/civil/resources-ada-businesses
ADA Business Connection: https://archive.ada.gov/business.htm
ADA Guide for Small Businesses: https://archive.ada.gov/smbusgd.pdf
DOJ toll-free ADA information line: 1-800-514-0301 (voice) or 1-800-514-0383 (TTY)

Disclaimer:

This information is provided as general guidance and should be reviewed by an expert in the industry. The Lomita Chamber does not endorse or make any guarantees about the suggestions noted here. This information does not replace professional advice from an advisor knowledgeable about disability access requirements. It is not legal advice. For specific concerns, including lawsuits or significant legal issues, you should consult with an attorney who specializes in disability access law.

July 8, 2024

California Employers Required to Have Workplace Violence Prevention Plan in Place

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As of July 1, 2024, most California employers are required to have a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP). The WVPP must comply with key requirements of the new law, which will be enforced by Cal/OSHA, who may issue citations and penalties for violations.

Per the employment law attorneys at Chase Law Group (a Lomita Chamber member):

“The new law defines workplace violence as “any act of violence or threat of violence that occurs in a place of employment.” Workplace violence may include the “threat or use of physical force against an employee that results in, or has a high likelihood of resulting in, injury, psychological trauma, or stress, regardless of whether the employee sustains an injury.”

Click here to read more about this new law and how it may apply to your business.

Should you have any questions regarding your company’s employment law concerns, contact an employment attorney for guidance.

December 12, 2023

Announcing New Lomita Chamber Board Members for 2024

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The Lomita Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that five new board members will join the full board of directors in January 2024 and recognized at the Installation Gala on February 8, 2024. The board is an all-volunteer group that guides the mission, policy setting, and governance of the Chamber as they serve the Lomita and South Bay business community.

Joining the board for a first 3-year term are Andrew Aparicio of Element Outdoor Living dba The BBQ Element, Laurie Glover of Silverado Memory Care Communities, Jane Lau of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services CA, and Steve MacAller of Torrance-South Bay YMCA. Tracy Maestro of California Water Services Company is reappointed to serve a second three-year term.

“We welcome our new board members to the Chamber team. The addition of our new board members significantly enriches our team, bringing a diverse range of perspectives crucial for navigating our business landscape in Lomita,” said Heidi Butzine, Lomita Chamber President/CEO.

Additionally, Jeff Koven of Koven Video Productions is serving as a one-year appointee and Mary Hornickel of The Wellness Company and Danielle Boujikian are serving as two-year appointees.

Board members continuing to serve their terms are:

Jennifer Olvera, of Coastal Funeral Center/Green Hills Memorial Park, will serve a second term as Chair of the Board, Tracy Maestro of California Water Service will continue to serve as Chair-Elect, Paris Chevalier of South Bay Credit Union will continue to serve as Treasurer, Sharon Shapiro-Fox of Athens Services will serve as Secretary and Heidi Butzine of Lomita Chamber will serve as Immediate Past Chair.

Tabitha Pennington, State Farm Agent
Jan Vogel, South Bay Workforce Investment Board
Teresa Workman, Workman + Kemp Real Estate Co.
Mark Waronek (ex officio liaison), City of Lomita

The following board members will complete their term at of the end of 2023 or have moved on from the Lomita Chamber board of directors during this year:

Erik Bowman – Localista Media
Mark Hardaway – Ecospin Laundry/Happy Nest
Victor Ibarra – SoCalGas

The Lomita Chamber is truly grateful for these talented and dedicated individuals’ years of service toward the guidance and continued improvement of the organization.

December 11, 2023

Minimum Wage Increase January 1, 2024 ($16.00 Per Hour)

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Starting January 1, 2024, all California employers, regardless of size, must adhere to a minimum wage of $16.00 per hour. (Salary for exempt employees will rise to at least $66,560.)

Certain areas within California, like the City of Los Angeles ($16.78) and unincorporated Los Angeles County ($16.90), have higher minimum wage rates depending on where employees perform their work. These specific rates are set to be adjusted on July 1, 2024.

Learn more about the 2024 employment laws from Chase Law Group (a Lomita Chamber member):

Should you have any questions regarding your company’s employment law concerns, contact an employment attorney for guidance.

Join us for our webinar to learn more about the 2024 Employment Law affecting your business.

November 9, 2023

Corporate Transparency Act: Companies to Report Beneficial Owner Information for Enhanced Financial Security starting January 1, 2024

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Starting on January 1 2024, your company may be required to report information about the people who own or control it to the US Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). FinCEN promotes national security and protects the US financial system from fraud and abuse by criminals and corrupt officials.

Many corporations, Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), and other entities created in or registered to do business in the United States will likely be required to report their beneficial ownership information to FinCEN. There are 23 categories of those entities that may be exempt including some types of larger companies, banks, credit unions, tax exempt entities registered with the IRS, and public utilities.

Per the employment law attorneys at Chase Law Group (a Lomita Chamber member):

“A reporting company will need to furnish various details, including its legal name and any trade name or Doing Business As (DBA), its address, the jurisdiction in which it was formed or first registered (depending on whether it’s a U.S. or foreign company), and its Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).”

Click here to read more about this new rule and how it may apply to your business.

Be sure to visit the US Treasury FinCen website for resources.

Should you have any questions regarding your company’s employment law concerns, contact an employment attorney for guidance.

January 3, 2023

Pay Transparency Law

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As of January 1, 2023, California employers upon request must provide pay scale information to employees and applicants for the position the employee is working. Employers with 15 or more employees must include pay scale information for the position in job postings. Employers with 100 or more employees must also report number of employees by race, ethnicity and sex by pay bands and job categories.

Employers should prepare accordingly by reviewing their HR policies related to salary data and making sure they have clear policies regarding confidentiality of this information among employees.

January 3, 2023

Minimum Wage Increase January 1, 2023 ($15.50 Per Hour For All California Employers)

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On January 1, 2023, California’s minimum wage increased by $.50 to $15.50 per hour. Certain cities, including the City of Los Angeles is $16.04 per hour and Unincorporated Los Angeles County is $15.90 per hour.

This is the first of a series of annual increases that will bring up California’s minimum as inflation and CPI increase.

The new minimum wage applies to all employees who work in California for employers subject to both federal and state laws.

Per the employment law attorneys at Chase Law Group (a Lomita Chamber member):

“Employers must pay their employees pursuant to whichever law affords employees the highest minimum wage. Also increases in the state minimum wage requires that exempt employees must be paid twice the state minimum wage for full-time employment (40 hours per week). Therefore, as of January 1, 2023, most exempt salaried workers must be paid no less than $64,480 to retain exempt status.”

Should you have any questions regarding your company’s employment law concerns, contact an employment attorney for guidance.

December 21, 2022

2023 Board of Directors Announcement

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The Lomita Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2023 Board of Directors and Officers and will welcome five new members to be seated at its January Board meeting and recognized at the Installation Gala on January 26, 2023.

Jennifer Olvera, of Coastal Funeral Center/Green Hills Memorial Park, will serve as Chair of the Board, Tracy Maestro of California Water Service has been named Chair-Elect, Paris Chevalier of South Bay Credit Union will continue to serve as Treasurer, and Heidi Butzine of Social Workplace and Lomita Chamber will serve as Immediate Past Chair/Secretary for a one-year term.

“The past three years have proven the strength and relevancy of the Lomita Chamber of Commerce since we started as an entirely new organization,” said Jennifer Olvera, incoming Chair of the Board. “I look forward to following the excellent leadership from our Board and our other volunteers who serve unselfishly, and who are dedicated to our community to protect and promote a business-friendly environment.”

Jennifer Olvera, Coastal Funeral Center/Green Hills Memorial Park | Chair of the Board

Tracy Maestro, California Water Service | Chair-Elect

Paris Chevalier, South Bay Credit Union | Treasurer

Heidi Butzine, Social Workplace | Immediate Past Chair/Secretary

The three joining the Board of Directors for a three-year term beginning on January 1, 2023, are Danielle Boujikian of Torrance Memorial Medical Center, Victor Ibarra of So Cal Gas and Sharon Shapiro-Fox of Athens Services.

The two new members who will serve a one-year term are Jeff Koven, Koven Video Productions and Jan Vogel, South Bay Workforce Investment Board.

Danielle Boujikian, Torrance Memorial Medical Center

Victor Ibarra, SoCalGas

Sharon Shapiro-Fox, Athens Services

Jeff Koven, Koven Video Productions

Jan Vogel, South Bay Workforce Investment Board

The Chamber Board also acknowledged that Jennifer Olvera of Coastal Funeral Center/Green Hills Memorial Park, and Teresa Workman of Workman + Kemp Real Estate Co. will serve a second three-year term on the board.

Board members continuing to serve their terms include Erik Bowman, Localista Media; Mark Hardaway, EcoSpin/Happy Nest Laundry; and Tabitha Pennington, State Farm Insurance Agent. Also on the board as a non-voting ex officio member is the City of Lomita liaison currently served by Mark Waronek.

“We’re happy to have a diverse group of businesses and organizations on our Board to build upon the strength of the previous year, with the knowledge and experience our Board provides,” said Heidi Butzine, President & CEO. “As a member focused nonprofit organization, we rely on volunteers to make our work possible. Business leaders who agree to serve on the Chamber Board share a commitment to creating an environment where all can thrive.”

Erik Bowman, Localista Media

Mark Hardaway, EcoSpin/Happy Nest Laundry

Tabitha Pennington, State Farm Insurance Agent

Teresa Workman, Workman + Kemp Real Estate Co.

Mark Waronek (Ex Officio Liaison), City of Lomita

The 2023 Lomita Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors:

Danielle Boujikian, Torrance Memorial Medical Center

Erik Bowman, Localista Media

Heidi Butzine, Social Workplace and Lomita Chamber*

Paris Chevalier, South Bay Credit Union*

Mark Hardaway, EcoSpin/Happy Nest Laundry

Victor Ibarra, So Cal Gas

Jeff Koven, Koven Video Productions

Tracy Maestro, California Water Service*

Jennifer Olvera, Coastal Funeral Center/Green Hills Memorial Park*

Tabitha Pennington, State Farm Agent

Sharon Shapiro-Fox, Athens Services

Jan Vogel, South Bay Workforce Investment Board

Teresa Workman, Workman + Kemp Real Estate Co.

Mark Waronek (ex officio liaison), City of Lomita

*Indicates Executive Board Member

The 2023 Board of Directors will focus on critical issues for the Lomita Chamber of Commerce membership and business community, including providing valuable resources for member businesses, keeping members informed, connected, and prosperous, advancing community excellence, and maintaining organizational sustainability.

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