Phoenix Business Journal

Vincent Guerithault on Who He's Cooked For and Where He Gets His Macarons

Vincent Guerithault Vincent on Camelback, Vincent's Market Bistro 3930 East Camelback Road 602-224-0225, www.vincentsoncamelback.com See also: -- Taste Maker #53: Vincent Guerithault -- James Beard Award-Winning Celebrity Chef Teams Up with Phoenix's Justin Beckett for Special Dinner (Spoiler Ale ... More >>

Phoenix Coyotes Already Last in the NHL in Attendance

After just four games in this season, the average attendance for Phoenix Coyotes home games has already reached last in the National Hockey League.That's the same Phoenix Coyotes team that lost in the Western Conference Final last year to the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Los Angeles Kings.See ... More >>

There's a New Marzipan Company in Phoenix and Tammie Coe's a Fan

Danish-born Charlotte Wetche stayed in Arizona for love, but her family's 103-year-old marzipan company remained in Denmark. Not a good thing for Wetche, who missed the flavors she remembered from home. So, in November, she obtained the rights to sell marzipan -- the confection made from ground almo ... More >>

LongHorn Steakhouse Tries Arizona (Again): This Time in Mesa and With More Locations to Come

Darden Restaurants, Inc., the same company who owns and operates Red Lobster, Olive Garden, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, and Eddie V's, is playing Santa this year in the form of steakhouse chain, LongHorn. See also: New Steakhouse Coming to Chandler Today, the casual American steakhouse that op ... More >>

International "Culinary Gift Shop" Oil & Vinegar to Open First Arizona Location at Scottsdale Quarter

High-quality specialty oils and vinegars, gourmet herb mixes, and European ceramic dishware all in one place sounds like a gift-giving haven for food lovers. And conveniently enough, one is set to arrive in the Valley just in time for the holiday shopping season. See also: Olive Oil Boutique Opens ... More >>

Sweet Tomatoes' Parent Company Testing New Concept in Phoenix Is Huge News for Fans of Sweet Tomatoes/New Concepts

In what will most likely be the biggest news of the year for fans of Sweet Tomatoes, the national buffet-style restaurant chain and purveyor of loaded baked potatoes, flavored gelatin, and something called "Joan's Broccoli Madness," the Phoenix Business Journal reports the eatery's San-Diego based ... More >>

ASU Student Plagiarized Articles for East Valley Tribune and State Press

The East Valley Tribune announced today that one of the paper's former interns plagiarized several articles while she was "working" there during the spring semester.The Tribune didn't release the name of the plagiarist, but we can tell you her name is Raquel Velasco -- who was called out for plagiar ... More >>

Allan Sobol: Arizona's Medical-Pot Martyr?

Potbelly Sandwich Shop (and a JoS. A. Bank Clothiers) Coming to CityScape: One Smoked Ham and a Dress Shirt, Please

With restaurants like the Hotel Palomar's Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails opening its doors today, new taco shop Fuego CityScape (which moved into Aaron May's former Vitamin T Space) opening later this month, and pan-Asian restaurant Silk Sushi still planning to open later this summer, can downtown's ... More >>

Phoenix Coyotes One Win Away From Conference Finals After Blanking Nashville Predators

The Phoenix Coyotes are now one win away from the Western Conference finals after a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators in Tennessee on Friday.Coyotes captain Shane Doan scored the game's lone goal in the first period, and goalie Mike Smith was phenomenal yet again.Smith doesn't quite get all t ... More >>

P.F. Chang's Sold in $1.1 Billion Deal

On the heels of opening a new concept and acquiring a majority interest in True Food Kitchen,, Scottsdale-based P.F. Chang's announced today it is selling more than spicy chicken and wontons.

Four Peaks Makes List of Top Fifty Craft Brewers in America

Here's a little something to raise a glass to. Four Peaks Brewing Company, the Tempe institution serving up handcrafted suds in a 1892 Mission-style warehouse since 1996, has been named one of the top fifty craft brewers in the U.S. by the Brewers Association -- a not-for-profit trade group that ta ... More >>

Peter Pocklington, Former Owner of Houston Oilers, Accused of Scamming Investors With Gold Mine Claims

Peter Pocklington, former owner of the hockey's Houston Oilers, has been accused by Arizona officials of scamming investors out of millions with bogus claims about a gold mine in La Paz County.This one has echoes of a ripoff we wrote about last week from the late '80s called the Pannos Mine. One of ... More >>

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, April 12, 2012

Portillo's Is Coming to Arizona (and I Am So Flippin' Happy)

Sheesh Portillo's, what took you so long? That's what a lot of Chicago transplants in the Valley may be saying to themselves upon hearing the news that the Chicago-area restaurant company is bringing its Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef, hamburgers, Maxwell Street Polish, salads, and desserts t ... More >>

Message to the New Restaurant at the Camelback Esplanade: Good Luck

​It's no secret that Camelback Esplanade, the mixed-use development on the southeast corner of Camelback Road and 24th Street, hasn't exactly been the most successful place to put a restaurant. Tough to see from Camelback Road, parking hassles (you're either walking from across the street or ... More >>

Z'Tejas Versus Zipps Over Newest Location

​Looks like the strip mall at the southwest corner of Bethany Home Road and 16th Street in Phoenix has become a controversy of concrete these days, positioning Z'Tejas Southwestern Grill and Zipps Sports Grill as this holiday's Heat Miser and Snow Miser in a battle over a new location. The Ph ... More >>

My Fit Foods Healthy Take-Out Restaurant Coming to Scottsdale

​My Fit Foods, a take-out operation for fresh, healthy, pre-portioned meals and snacks, is opening its first location in Arizona at The Shops at Gainey Village in Scottsdale, the Phoenix Business Journal reports. The Houston-based company, with over 33 locations in Texas, is owned by personal ... More >>

Brett Mecum, "Unemployed" Former GOP Big Shot, Remains One of Phoenix Business Journal's "Forty Under 40"

The man dressed like Captain Planet -- and receiving a simulated blow job -- is Brett Mecum, one of the Valley's "up-and-coming leaders."​Despite having a well-publicized lead foot, being "creepy around women," simulating a blowjob while dressed as a super hero, allegedly using a state voter ... More >>

Russell Pearce Is On the Ropes, Even if the Horizon Brain Trust Can't See It

Brett Mecum Gets the Boot From Position as Arizona GOP's Executive Director, Sources Say

The Arizona GOP apparently has had enough of Brett Mecum, a.k.a. Captain Fellatio (pictured above).​Brett Mecum, the now-former executive director of the Arizona Republican Party, has been given the ax by the state GOP, multiple sources within the Party confirm to New Times.Frankly, we're sh ... More >>

Brett Mecum, Arizona Republican Party Big-Wig Described as "Creepy Around Women," Named One of Phoenix Business Journal's "40 Under 40." WTF?

According to the Phoenix Business Journal, the guy dressed like a super hero is one of the "best young leaders in Phoenix."​The Phoenix Business Journal recently released its coveted "40 Under 40" list. To quote Clark W. Griswold, we could wake up tomorrow with our heads sewn to the carpet a ... More >>

Houston's Closes, Hillstone Opens

​Houston's at the Esplanade closed its doors last night, reports the Phoenix Business Journal, after many years as a favorite haunt for the Camelback Corridor business crowd.Just up the street, though, its sister eatery, Hillstone, has finally opened its doors in a brand-new building situated ... More >>

Karl Rove, "War Criminal," Feted by Phoenix's Business Elite

Where does America go from here, Karl? Hey, maybe we could invade some Middle-Eastern country unnecessarily and kill a bunch of people. Oh, snap, we already did that.The first thing that sprang to mind when I got the above flier in my e-mail in-box announcing that "Bush's Brain" Karl Rove will be sp ... More >>

Centerpoint Towers to Become Lofty Apartment Complex Following Sale to Cleveland Company

Image: Jaime Peachey​ Zaremba Group, the Cleveland company that bought the unfinished Centerpoint towers in Tempe for $30 million this week, plans to rent out the units once planned as condominiums.The real estate company's Scottsdale office hasn't returned our call yet, and the guy from Cleve ... More >>

5 Ways to Celebrate Craft Beer Week

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eprater/3970444283/ ​While the rest of the country is happily celebrating Craft Beer Week (May 17-23) with festivals and other fun events, here in Phoenix it has been slightly overlooked. What do you expect? We were recently ranked 57th out of 100 in the fun cat ... More >>

Cracking LifeLock: Even After a $12 Million Penalty for Deceptive Advertising, the Tempe Company Can't Be Honest About Its Identity-Theft-Protection Service

Joe Arpaio to Announce Decision on Gov's Race at 1 p.m.

​At 1 p.m. today, we should know whether Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio will run for governor, or if he will remain as sheriff.We're told that the sheriff won't be holding a press conference to announce his decision, but rather he will issue a statement that will be released at 1 p.m. today.La ... More >>

Chateaux on Central Finally Sold -- For Just Fraction of Asking Price

The Chateaux on Central have sold for $7 million -- total.​Kudos to this week's Phoenix Business Journal, which finally provides the information we've all been waiting for, namely, just what exactly is going to happen to those faux chateaux on Central Avenue?We've long been obsessed with the ... More >>

East Valley Tribune Layoffs Follow Approval of Freedom Communications' Bankruptcy-Driven Sale of Paper

   ​The East Valley Tribune laid off about two dozen workers today, one day after a bankruptcy judge approved a plan to sell the struggling daily newspaper. As we reported yesterday, the Colorado-based Thirteenth Street Media plans to buy the paper and other Arizona holdings ... More >>

Scottsdale's GoDaddy Girl, Danica Patrick, Joins NASCAR; Let the Shameless Promotions Begin

www.theautochannel.com​IndyCar bombshell and Scottsdale native Danica Patrick announced this morning that she will be joining the NASCAR racing circuit. Then she went on to sound like Ricky Bobby from Talladega Nights -- shamelessly promoting her corporate sponsor.NASCAR drivers have the uncanny a ... More >>

Don't Suspect Joe Arpaio, Report Him on the DOJ's New Arpaio Abuse Hotline

The DOJ's anti-Arpaio line: 877-613-2137. Call early and often.As that great Phoenix philosopher Fronzo "the Fonz" West once asked in a riddle worthy of a Buddhist koan, "How do you call the cops on the cops?" Here in Mari-Kafka County, the problem's compounded by the fact that one of the most corru ... More >>

Joe Arpaio Showed Up Uninvited to Joe Biden Function, According to the White House

Biden: Too cool to meet with that fool Joe, we hope... Sounds like Joe Arpaio's been fibbing on Twitter, at least according to the White House. Vice President Joe Biden was in town for a meeting with local Dems in downtown Phoenix, and according to Biden's deputy press secretary Annie Tomasini ... More >>

Flight Attendants for US Air to Picket at Sky Harbor Friday

​Flight attendants for US Airways aren't too thrilled with some of the working conditions after the 2005 merger with America West Airlines and they plan to let management know Friday morning, when they picket at Sky Harbor Airport.

Illegal-Immigration Opponent Russell Pearce Could be Appointed Head of DPS, News Outlets Say

  ​ Here's one from the rumor mill: Russell Pearce (above), the state senator from Mesa who's led the charge against illegal immigration in Arizona, could be appointed head of the state Department of Public Safety. The Phoenix Business Journal and KTAR (92.3 FM) quote anonymo ... More >>

Coyotes Attendance Plummets After Home Opener Sell Out

www.2arnes.com​After a week-long "white out" promotion campaign for the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes, the team sold out its home opener Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The next game, things were back to dismal.

Governor Brewer Could be Investigated by Goddard's Office, Says the Business Journal

​ Three unidentified sources "from different parts of the political spectrum" hint that a state investigation of Governor Janice Brewer may be coming down the pike, says the Phoenix Business Journal.A September 5 article by Mike Sunnucks says that questions have arisen about the way Brewer us ... More >>

Arizona Tea Party Puddin' Heads; Plus, Russell Pearce Says Joe Arpaio Won't Run for Guv, Despite Business Journal Report

From left, Jack Harper, Dean Martin, Russell Pearce, and John Huppenthal Obama is a Nazi. Obama is a commie. Obama is a pirate. (Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum.) Obama is a socialist. Obama is the Joker from The Dark Night. (You know, Heath Ledger) Yadda-yadda-yadda. Such was the refrain f ... More >>

Custom Car Company to Open Factory in Phoenix; First Vehicle is High-Mileage Dune Buggy

  Image: www.local-motors.com Rally Fighter A custom car company plans on producing off-road vehicles from a "micro-factory" somewhere in the Valley as soon as next year. Local Motors Company, based in Massachussetts, is already taking orders for its first car, the Rally Figh ... More >>

Barcelona Closing for a Makeover

June 27 will be Barcelona's last night in business before the North Scottsdale restaurant/club closes for renovations over the summer, reports the Phoenix Business Journal today. Designer Dodd Mitchell is handling the renovation, which is expected to take about three months. No word yet on ... More >>

CityNorth: With Nordstrom Gone, Phoenix Fights for the Right to Bail Out Abu Dhabi

Goldwater Institute "Not Ruling Out" Legal Action Against Phoenix Coyotes and Glendale

Jobing.com Arena, where the Phoenix Coyotes play. The Goldwater Institute has submitted a public records request to the City of Glendale, asking for information on lease negotiations between it and the Phoenix Coyotes. Goldwater attorney Clint Bolick told the Phoenix Business Journal tha ... More >>

Janet Napolitano's Former Spokeswoman, Jeanine L'Ecuyer, Lands At Public Affairs Firm

Jeanine L'Ecuyer, former Governor Janet Napolitano's spokeswoman, has been hired at at a local lobbying and public affairs firm that represents mining interests, Magellan Health Services and Arizona State University. We figured L'Ecuyer would end up with some cushy Washington D. ... More >>

ATS Drops Complaint Against Redflex with AZ DOA; Federal Suit Still On Like Donkey Kong

So far, this is still our fave way to fight Redflex's robotic photo enforcement sentinels. Aussie photo enforcement firm Redflex is crowing like a stud rooster today, issuing a press release from Redflex flack Shoba Vaitheeswaran, announcing that its Scottsdale-based rival, American Traffic Soluti ... More >>

Rotting from the Head Down: Joe Arpaio's Barack Obama Dis and an MCSO Deputy's Wish for "the JFK Syndrome"

Let's just hope the MCSO never has to help protect President-elect Obama. By now, many of you have already read about our corrupt top constable Sheriff Joe Arpaio's flipping the verbal bird to President-elect Barack Obama and his soon-to-be U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. Concerning his ... More >>

Don Stapley’s Biggest Crime Was Failing to Hide His Real Estate Dealings as Well as Sheriff Joe Arpaio Did

Bird Boycott

The truculent tweeter tackles Mayor Phil, PHX City Council hypocrisy, and goofball prez wanna-be Fred Thompson

Man Bites Dog

If we had it to do over, would we publish the satirical saga of Chef Kaz Yamamoto? Hell yes! Punk you, if you can't take a joke!

Blind Ambition

Is Motorola Harboring Diversity or Disrespect?

The state's largest private employer pours money into African-American causes--but critics charge its bosses don't walk the talk