This week’s California business updates include major developments such as In-N-Out Burger’s expansion into a new market by year-end, a troubling incident involving a barbershop cat kidnapped during a burglary, and a settlement by Panda Express over hazardous material handling allegations. n nEconomists from UCLA project a softening of the state’s economy in early 2026, adding to concerns about financial stability. Meanwhile, consumers can take advantage of several limited-time offers, including free hot chocolate promotions and discounted theme park tickets. n nCoffee Bean and Tea Leaf is offering a complimentary hot chocolate with any beverage purchase on Fridays through December 12, from noon until closing, as part of its Festive Fridays promotion. Families planning summer trips can benefit from Disneyland’s new deal: $50 admission tickets for children, available for purchase soon. n nIn retail and dining news, Dutch Bros. has launched its first Los Angeles location, expanding its presence in Southern California. Helms Bakery, however, will close just one year after opening. Toast, a popular eatery in Murrieta, remains closed following fire damage. San Diego residents got an early taste of New Jersey Mike’s new hot sub, selected as one of four test markets. In Temecula, a well-liked salad spot in Vail Ranch Plaza has shut down without announcement. n nSlime Kitchen is planning expansion across Southern California, offering interactive experiences for children. An East Bay department store is closing, leaving only six locations in the Bay Area. T&T Supermarket, Canada’s largest Asian grocery chain, is rapidly growing in the region, with construction underway in San Jose, San Francisco, and now Millbrae. n nWalmart’s proposed gas station in Lake Elsinore continues to face scrutiny. In Riverside County, a beloved shop run by Dorothea Dinmore closed after 45 years following her passing. Esri co-founders have acquired the distressed Redlands Mall with plans for community-centered redevelopment. A new Ace Hardware opened in Rancho Santa Margarita, and Pippal, an acclaimed Indian restaurant from Emeryville, has opened a branch in Dublin. n nOn the regulatory front, the Bay Area Air District fined Chevron $900,000 for failing to monitor emissions at its Richmond refinery. The FBI dismantled a Southeast Asia-based cryptocurrency scam known as “pig butchering,” which affected over 400 San Diegans. n nIn real estate, proposals for more than 1,400 homes across 300 acres in Banning and Beaumont will be reviewed by city officials. Legoland California Resort is set to open Lego Galaxy in March 2026, featuring Galacticoaster, its first new roller coaster in two decades. Big Bear and Snow Summit have opened for the 2025 ski season, with favorable snowmaking conditions. n nA new Livermore restaurant, Meza n Moka, now serves both coffee and Mediterranean cuisine, offering items ranging from Nutella espresso to lamb chops and crepes. n— news from Patch
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In-N-Out Changes | Barbershop Cat Kidnapped | CA’s Economic Outlook | Free Hot Chocolate: CA Business News
Catch up with the latest CA consumer and business news, plus under-the-radar stories and the week ‘s best sales and freebies. n nCALIFORNIA—This week in California business news: In-N-Out is expanding and set to open in a brand-new market by the end of the year, the owner of a barbershop is reeling after his beloved cat was kidnapped by ransacking burglars, and Panda Express has settled allegations that its workers mishandled a hazardous substance. n nAdditionally, economists say the state ‘s economy is expected to “soften” at the beginning of next year. n nBut before getting to the biggest business stories in the Golden State, here are some of the best consumer deals of the week: n nFreebies, Deals And Steals n nOn Fridays through Dec. 12, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf customers can get a free hot chocolate with any beverage purchase from noon to close for Festive Fridays. n nPlanning for next year ‘s summer vacation? Disneyland has a new discount offer: $50 kids tickets that go on sale soon. Check out all the details here. n nCheck out this week ‘s top headlines for California business news on Patch: n nHarley-Davidson Dealerships Are Closing Across CA n nPanda Express Employees Mishandled Hazardous Chemical At CA Locales: DA n nIn-N-Out Expanding To This New Market By End Of Year n nNetflix Breaks Record With ‘Stranger Things ‘ Season 5 n nCA Economy To Soften In Early 2026, UCLA Economists Report n nNational Retailer Closing 20 Locations, Laying Off 900 Workers: What It Means For CA n nCA City Takes On Household Brands As First In U.S. To Sue Over Ultra-Processed Foods n nFounder And President Of ADHD Startup Convicted In Adderall Case n nRents Expected To Keep Rising In SoCal: Which Counties Will Be Hit Hardest n nPet Cremation Business Owner Arrested After Thousands Of Carcasses Found n nBeloved Barbershop Cat Kidnapped By Ransacking Burglars n nMore Restaurant News n nSpecialty Coffee Chain Opens 1st LA Location n nDutch Bros. has opened its first location in Los Angeles. n nToast In Murrieta Closed Until Further Notice After Fire Damages The Popular Eatery n n”Sometimes things don ‘t go as planned …,” the eatery shared Monday. n nHelms Bakery To Close 1 Year After Opening n nHelms Bakery will close a year after it opened. n nSan Diegans Get First Taste Of New Jersey Mike ‘s Sub n nSan Diego was selected as one of four test markets to try the new hot sub. n nTemecula Eatery Closes Quietly In Vail Ranch Plaza n nIf you stop by this favored spot for chopped salads in Temecula, you ‘ll find the lights are off, and no one is answering. n nMore Retail News n nSlime Kitchen Plans SoCal Expansion n nSlime Kitchen gives kids — and kids at heart — the chance to be a chef, chemist and creator all at once, according to the growing company. n nEast Bay Department Store To Close n nIt ‘s the latest closure for the nearly 125-year old chain, and just six locations will remain in the Bay Area after this one shutters. n nCanada ‘s Largest Asian Grocery Chain Is Quickly Expanding In The Bay Area n nConstruction is already underway at the San Jose and San Francisco locations; now, Millbrae is getting in the loop. n nScrutiny Continues For Walmart Gas Station Planned In Lake Elsinore n nThe project is slated for a 1.10-acre site within the existing Walmart Supercenter parking lot at 29260 Central Avenue. n nBeloved Shop To Close In RivCo After 45 Years Following Death Of Owner: Report n nDorothea Dinmore ‘s colorful and whimsical shop specializing in clothing, housewares, gifts and more opened in 1980. n nEsri Co-Founders Purchase Distressed Redlands Mall: Report n nThe new owners plan community-focused redevelopment of the property. n nNew Hardware Store Opens In Rancho Santa Margarita n nA new Ace Hardware store just opened up on Santa Margarita Parkway. What to know. n nNew Indian Restaurant Opens In Dublin n nPippal, an award-winning restaurant in Emeryville, opened a Dublin location focused on diverse cuisines from all over India. n nMore Business News n nFBI Shuts Down Online ‘Pig Butchering ‘ Cryptocurrency Investment Scam n nMore than 400 San Diegans were among the victims of the Southeast Asia-based crypto investment fraud scam, according to the FBI. n nNew Livermore Restaurant Offers Full Coffee & Mediterranean Menus n nMeza n Moka boasts all-day menu offering everything from a Nutella espresso to lamb chops to kebabs to crepes to burgers. n nMore Than New 1,400 Homes On 300 Acres Eyed Across Banning, Beaumont n nBanning and Beaumont city officials will take up separate proposals this week. n nNew CA Law To Trigger Big Change For Grocery Shopping In 2026 n nWhile the state technically implemented this ban more than 10 years ago, lawmakers hope this new law will close a “nasty loophole.” n nLego Galaxy, Legoland California Resort ‘s New Land, To Open In March 2026 n nThe new land ‘s main attraction, Galacticoaster, marks Legoland California Resort ‘s first new coaster in two decades. n nBay Area Watchdog Fines Chevron Refinery $900,000 For Failure To Monitor Emissions n nThe Bay Area Air District fined Chevron $900,000 for failing to properly monitor air pollution emissions at its refinery in Richmond. n nBig Bear, Snow Summit Opens Ski Slopes For The 2025 Ski Season n nGrab your sunglasses and head to the slopes. The Inland Empire ski resorts are open, and conditions remain ripe for making snow.