Truckee’s FiftyFifty Brewery Halts New Facility
FiftyFifty Brewery Co. scrapped its proposal to build an 18,000 square foot brewery on West River St. in Truckee when it looked like the project was going to take longer to be approved than originally thought. Instead, owners Andy and Alicia Barr (Alicia is Truckee’s mayor) leased a 12,000 square foot building at River Park Place, also on West River St. They are now installing new equipment and aim to be operational by 2016. The new space will allow the brewery to produce 20 to 30 times more beer than it is producing now, and plans are to produce enough beer for the West Coast. Andy said there are still plans to build a new facility, but that the project will be “retooled and more comprehensive.” Info: fiftyfiftybrewing.com ~Kara Fox/Moonshine Ink
Resort at Squaw Creek Lays off 20 Employees, Hires Outside Valet Firm
On October 23, Resort at Squaw Creek laid off more than 20 guest service employees and announced that it will use Towne Park, a nationwide firm that has 535 clients, for its valet and bell services. In a statement, the resort called the transition “a business decision that will provide cost savings to the property and reduce potential liabilities.” The resort said it is “following a common practice of many luxury properties by working with experts who solely focus on the delivery of great customer service in the valet and bell service areas.” The Resort at Squaw Creek has said past employees are eligible to apply for their positions back from Towne Park. ~Kara Fox/Moonshine Ink
Cottonwood to Build New Kitchen
The owners of Cottonwood Restaurant plan to build a 1,208 square foot kitchen/wait staff area in addition to the existing restaurant, after the Town of Truckee Planning Commission on Oct. 20 unanimously approved a development permit for the project. The kitchen and wait staff area will provide space for the most current technology and room to create and serve Cottonwood’s classic fare. The plan includes a chef’s table in the kitchen, which will allow diners to experience the action of an exciting, modern, and busy kitchen. If all goes according to plan, groundbreaking will be May 1, 2016, with a grand opening in the fall. The concept behind the design is to provide a contemporary look that is complementary to the existing historical structure.
Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows Increases Starting Wages for Ski Instructors
Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows has increased the starting wage for its entry-level kids ski school instructors to $12 per hour, plus incentives. This increase means Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows will offer the highest pay rates for that position in Lake Tahoe. The resort is also offering complimentary fast track ski instructor certifications, which upon completion, increases an employee’s wage to $14 per hour. Local homeowners who have space for employees can also earn season passes by extending their space to Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows employees; for more information call human resources at (530) 452-7112. Info: squawalpine.com
Sugar Bowl to Open Multi-Level Terrain Park
Sugar Bowl Resort will open a new terrain park this season, designed by Snow Park Technologies, which design terrain parks for the Winter X Games, Winter Dew Tour, and U.S. Burton Open. The new terrain park will be located below the Mt. Lincoln Express Chairlift, and will be accessible from both Mt. Lincoln Express and the Christmas Tree Express Chairlift. The park includes 43 features at build-out, and many features will be approachable for children and families. Info: sugarbowl.com
Concerts at Commons Beach Vies for National Grant, Needs Local Votes
Tahoe City’s free outdoor summer concert series, Concerts at Commons Beach, is in the running to win a $25,000 grant for its 2016 summer season. Sponsored by Levitt Pavilions, the national non-profit behind the largest free concert series in America, Concerts at Commons Beach, hopes to qualify as one of the 15 winning organizations competing in the Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards. Fifteen nonprofits will receive up to $25,000 each in matching funds to produce their own Levitt AMP Music Series — an outdoor, free concert series. A successful campaign for Concerts at Commons Beach depends on community participation to get as many online votes as possible to bring the concert series to town. Online public voting ends Nov. 30. The Top 25 finalists will be selected through online public voting. Levitt Pavilions will then review the proposals of these finalists and the winners will be announced on Jan. 5, 2016. Info: levittamp.org
Median Home Prices Show Steady Climb in Tahoe
The median price for a home in Lake Tahoe continued its steady climb in the third quarter, with a five percent increase to $482,500 from this time last year. Homes priced under $1 million also saw a nine percent surge in sales, while those selling for more than a million dropped 11 percent, according to a quarterly report released by Chase International Real Estate. While the sale of homes over the million mark was down everywhere around the lake — with the East and South shores seeing the biggest declines — the drop is generally attributed to a lack of lakefront inventory. Tahoe City and South Shore saw the only boosts in sales with a six and 14 percent jump in volume and units sold for Tahoe City, and five and 10 percent on the South Shore. Tahoe City, however, was the only Tahoe area to see a dip in median home price to $550,000, while the East Shore had the biggest jump in price. Truckee experienced a five percent fall in median home price to $558,250. Homes selling for less than $1 million was up nine percent, while homes sold for over a million was down 16 percent.
Diamond Peak General Manager Leaves, Hires New Marketing Manger
Diamond Peak General Manager Brad Wilson accepted a new position in Bogus Basin, Idaho as the general manager of the Bogus Basin Recreation Area. His last day was Nov. 5. Mike Bandelin will serve as Diamond Peak interim general manager. On Nov. 4, the resort announced that it had hired Paul Raymore as its new marketing manager. Raymore had previously served as director of marketing for Truckee-based Journeys Within Tour Company and as director of marketing and sales for Homewood Mountain, as well as marketing for Alpine Meadows Ski Resort.
