Shout Out to New Members

Welcome to the three newest members of the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce!

Etc. Gourmet Kitchen is the brainchild of longtime local resident Robin Seifert. Moving into the old Baked on Ocean View location just south of Honolulu Avenue, Etc. honors Baked by serving beautiful fresh-baked treats like whole pies and cakes. But Seifert and crew have added savory treats and take-away gourmet meals to the mix, items like wild mushroom macaroni and cheese and butternut squash with ginger. Etc. excels at catered affairs offering mouth-watering breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks displayed with artistry. Come in and try something from their gorgeous display case along with a cup of Jones coffee weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. They’re at 3600 Ocean View Blvd., unit #7.

Our second new member, Fatima Pagtakhan, is an independent consultant with Poofy Organics, a health and beauty product company. Ms. Pagtakhan, born and raised in the Phillipines, works out of her home in La Crescenta near Crescenta Valley High School. While pregnant with her son, now 2 years old, she made her own toxin-free organic lotions and household products. These days, she’s finding it hard to be in the kitchen with a toddler so she was delighted to discover eco-friendly Poofy Organics out of New Jersey. The family-run online company features soaps, lip balms, lotions, cleaning products, candle alternatives and more that are 100% organic and toxin-free. Pagtakhan finds them to have the most effective product line with the least impact on the environment and the fairest prices (products range from $4 to $30).  Named after a nickname for the founder’s child, Poofy Organics was developed in response to the founder’s need for products that were safe and effective for a mother struggling with cancer. All Poofy Organics products come straight from nature, nothing is lab-created. If you would like a one-on-one consultation with Fatima, you may call (818) 748-7681 or email her at poofykeithsmom@gmail.com.  Look for promos and giveaways at Facebook.com/groups/poofykeithsmom.

Thee Elbow Room restaurant has been in business since 2013 but owners Cristal Arguelles and Steve Kwan would like the community to know they’ve made some exciting new changes. They still make an amazing balsamic tuna melt sandwich and kale Caesar salad, but now you can get a tall glass of craft beer with that!  Focusing on local breweries, Thee Elbow Room boasts 18 taps pouring beers like Tap It Brewing Co. from San Luis Obispo, Wolf Creek from Santa Clarita and Surf Brewery from Ventura. Chef Arguelles earned her chops cooking for fine restaurants in Las Vegas until recently moving to Arcadia. Partner Kwan, who owns another business on Honolulu Avenue, introduced Arguelles to Montrose and she’s loved the area ever since.

“We really feel welcomed here,” said Arguelles. “The community has cheered us on, even during the remodel.” Local artists have helped them out with their chalkboard art as well as their logo and website.

Arguelles marvels, “We simply say we need this or that and somebody steps forward to do it!” Such is life in the Crescenta Valley.

Thee Elbow Room, at 2418 Honolulu Ave., is open every day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., later on weekend nights. They recently had a small bluegrass band play at the restaurant and hope to play host to other musicians as long as it doesn’t bother their neighbors. Another example of businesses helping businesses, a great quality in a chamber of commerce member.

Welcome to all our new members. May 2015 bring prosperity to you and to the entire Crescenta Valley business community.

Lisa Dupuy, executive director

CV Chamber of Commerce

3131 Foothill Blvd. ‘D’

La Crescenta, CA 91214

(818) 248-4957