Most Memorable San Diego Local Business Stories for 2016
Here's a look at our most popular posts to our Local Business Spotlight for 2016.
By NBC 7 Staff ••
At the end of the year, we take stock in what happened and for San Diego's business community that include new openings, new technologies, new launches and new expansions.
Here's a look at the top 10 most visited articles from our Local Business Spotlight for 2016:
10: The announcement by Las Vegas-based Allegiant Airlines that it would be offering new flights between San Diego and Stockton out of Lindbergh Field. Perhaps it was the introductory fare of $39 that piqued everyone's interest?
9: Phil’s fanatics were excited to see the water tower go up in Rancho Bernardo. The new Phil's BBQ location in April 2016 was our ninth most popular post to the Local Business Spotlight.
Phil's BBQ
The newest location is in Rancho Bernardo off Interstate-15.
Phil's BBQ
The water tower at the Rancho Bernardo location allows the restaurant to re-purpose water.
Phil's BBQ
Phil's BBQ
A line formed early on Monday before the location was even open.
8: The popular restaurant Mary's Donuts, a staple in Santee for 30 years, announced a new location opening in March 2016. Our article, one of our most viewed, let loyal customers know they could still get their apple fritters, doughnut holes and bagels there.
Monica Garske
Delicious doughnuts at Mary's in Santee.
Monica Garske
The new Mary's is located at 8959 Carlton Hills Blvd.
Monica Garske
Photos of customers are also up on the walls at the new Mary's location -- with plenty of room for another 30 years of pictures.
Monica Garske
Vintage photographs are among the relics at the new Mary's.
Monica Garske
Photos of customers are also up on the walls at the new Mary's location -- with plenty of room for another 30 years of pictures.
Monica Garske
These decorative characters are among the relics that made the move to the new Mary's location on Carlton Hills Blvd.
Monica Garske
New Mary's, same doughnuts.
Monica Garske
The new Mary's Donuts is located at 8959 Carlton Hills. Blvd.
Monica Garske
Photos of customers are also up on the walls at the new Mary's location -- with plenty of room for another 30 years of pictures.
Monica Garske
The new Mary's Donuts is located at 8959 Carlton Hills Blvd.
Monica Garske
The communal table at the original location -- a favorite spot among locals and regulars.
Monica Garske
The original site of Mary's Donuts on Mission Gorge boasts thousands of photos of customers on the walls.
Monica Garske
The menu at Mary's remains the same as it has been for decades -- including those famous apple fritters.
Monica Garske
The menu at Mary's remains the same as it has been for decades -- including those famous apple fritters.
Monica Garske
The walls at Mary's Donuts are covered with sweet pictures of customers. To get your photo up there, just ask.
Mary's Donuts/Facebook
The original Mary's Donuts site on Mission Gorge.
Monica Garske
Mary's Donuts has been located on Mission Gorge since 1984.
Monica Garske
The original Mary's Donuts.
7: San Diego Business Journal reported that San Francisco-based Bizness Apps planned to move to San Diego in April 2016. The idea of the company bringing nearly 100 jobs with it made it one of our most popular posts.
6: Say the word "Dunkin" and most everyone will respond with "Donuts!" The famous food chain was spotted in National City in July 2016. When we let our users know the new location was not only opening but included a drive thru window - well, let's just say the interest was extraordinary.
NBC 7 San Diego
The Dunkin Donuts sign at the new drive-thru location in National City.
5: It wasn't a first for the historic landmark but when a new buyer stepped in to purchase the Hotel del Coronado, San Diegans wanted to know more. Our March 2016 piece about the Blackstone Group selling Strategic Hotels & Resorts to a Chinese firm for $6.5 billion made our list of most popular business news for 2016.
Hotel Del Coronado
Built in 1888, Hotel Del Coronado is a designated National Historic Landmark right on the beach on Coronado Island. Of course, it’s best enjoyed when you can actually explore the beach on which the hotel sits, but there are lots of things to do inside the massive property, too. The resort boasts many restaurants, shops and hallways chalk full of history, including display cases with large, vintage photographs and artifacts. It’s worth a stroll on a rainy day, that’s for sure.
Hotel del Coronado
Brook Taylor
Brook Taylor, on his honeymoon with his wife Katie, snapped a shot of the lightning from the Hotel Del in Coronado, where he was staying.
It's one of the most photographed spots in San Diego - the Hotel del Coronado.
Its iconic red turrets can be seen from the air.
Erik Hermann
Coronado beach areas on a cloudy morning.
Built in 1888, this classic beachfront respite has long been heralded as one of America’s most beautiful beach resorts. A pronouncement underscored by its designation as a National Historic Landmark in 1977. Photos by Ben Harness of Point Loma. ?
NBC Bay Area
View of the sun setting behind Point Loma from the Hotel Del Coronado.
The Hotel del Coronado in all its holiday glory.
Getty Images/Robert Harding Worl
San Diego's most famous building, Hotel del Coronado dating from 1888, San Diego, California, United States of America (U.S.A.), North America
This picture was taken on a summer evening near the Hotel Del. The Del offers guests a unique combination of modern luxury touched with the charm and grace of this fairytale castle.
Telemundo San Antonio
On some December days, it's a tough choice between skating and surfing when the hotel pulls out its skating by the sea.
Hotel Del Coronado. 2009 I am really enjoying the pictures posted at this site. Thought I'd send one in, even though a bit old. December 19, 2009 I snapped this while take a friend from Los Angeles to see the Hotel Del Coronado. One of my favorite places in San Diego. Jenine Braly
4: After an 11-year career with the NFL (including 3 with the San Diego Chargers) Cory Withrow, debuted The King’s Craft Coffee Co. in Poway. The September 2016 story really caught our users' attention and came in as our fourth most popular post of the year.
Former Chargers player Cory Withrow is pursuing a new gig off the gridiron. He and his wife, Monica, have opened a cozy coffee shop in Poway called The King’s Craft Coffee Co.
3: Third in our most popular local business stories is an article about a new system of electronic signs and traffic signal meters that will allow drivers to quickly get around major accidents clogging up Interstate 15. The system went into effect in April. Here’s Artie Ojeda explaining what it means for commuters:
A new system of electronic signs and traffic signal meters that will allow drivers to quickly get around major accidents clogging up Interstate 15 has gone into effect. NBC 7’s Artie Ojeda has the details.
2: Mention The Cravory and chances are you’ll get a craving for a sugary treat. When we reported about the new shop opening in the Bressi Ranch Village Center (2629 Gateway Rd.) in Carlsbad, it was our second most popular article. Here's the piece from August 2016:
The Cravory
The new shop is located in the Bressi Ranch Village Center (2629 Gateway Rd.) in Carlsbad, and is the second location for The Cravory. The company’s original outpost is in Point Loma.
The Cravory
The Cravory is known for its unique and decadent cookie flavors, including its Pancakes & Bacon cookies and Chocolate Truffle cookies.
The Cravory
The Cravory has earned a cult following among San Diegans with a sweet tooth. The company often releases limited edition treats for big local events, such as superhero-themed cookies in honor of San Diego Comic-Con International or Halloween-themed treats.
The Cravory
The small business sells cookies in-store and also offers monthly “Cookie Subscriptions” available via online ordering – a box of various flavors, including new recipes.
The Cravory
The Cravory was founded in 2009 and opened its first storefront in February 2014 in Point Loma. Two-and-a-half years later, life is pretty sweet for the local business.
1: The most popular item in our Local Business Spotlight for 2016 was a look at the Seaport Village proposals. The Port of San Diego was reviewing six proposals for developments spanning 70 acres of prime property along downtown San Diego’s waterfront. When renderings of the proposals were released in June, San Diegans wanted to take a look!
Great Western Pacific and Santa Monica Seafood
Seattle-based Great Western Pacific and Santa Monica Seafood propose the Tuna Harbor Pavilion, which would include eateries, a seafood market and other vendors.
Great Western Pacific and Santa Monica Seafood
This proposal also includes a Ferris wheel ride on a fishing pier, plus a fly-over ride and a maritime history-themed ride. See this full proposal here.
Protea Waterfront Development/Gafcon
Plans for Seaport San Diego by Protea Waterfront Development include hotels and retail shops, plus a ride called The Spire.
Protea Waterfront Development/Gafcon
The full proposal can be seen here.
Manchester Financial Group and Dealy Development
A proposal from a group comprised of San Diego’s Manchester Financial Group and Dealy Development calls for a hotel, performing arts hall and a gondola ride at the prime waterfront location.
Manchester Financial Group and Dealy Development
This part of the proposal, dubbed Celebration Place, plans to prioritize pedestrians over vehicles so more people can have access to the bayfront. This full plan can be seen here.
OliverMcMillan
OliverMcMillan’s proposal includes hotels, a sports and entertainment venue and a Scripps Institution of Oceanography learning center and a performance space for San Diego Symphony.
OliverMcMillan
This rendering shows the view from the marina toward Seaport Pavilion. More on this proposal can be seen here.
McWhinney and DJM Capital Partners
The proposal from McWhinney and DJM Capital Partners includes hotels, a fitness club and a recreational marina. This plan also features eateries, shops and a venue for performances.
McWhinney and DJM Capital Partners
This rendering shows the Water Promenade area of the proposal. More of this plan can be seen here.
Ripley's Entertainment
Ripley Entertainment wants to build a Ripley’s Aquarium of California, with live marine animal exhibits at the location.
Ripley's Entertainment
Take a look at the full proposal from Ripley’s here.
