The recent Eaton Fire has affected many in our community, and we understand how challenging these moments can be for both businesses and property owners. We want to ensure that all businesses in Playhouse Village have access to the resources and support available to help with recovery. Below, we’ve compiled key information about loans, grants, and other resources that may be useful for businesses affected by the recent wildfires and windstorms.
Latest Updates
New Paid Street Parking Program
After many years of planning, paid street parking is coming soon to parts of Playhouse Village. With new multi-space meters and pay-by-app capability, visitors will soon be able to find parking more quickly, park for longer than current time limits, and pay easily via smartphone or credit card. While introducing paid parking will be a significant transition for businesses, employees and visitors alike, the goal is to generate benefits including improved access, safety, and quality of life for everyone who makes Playhouse Village a thriving place, such as:
- Maintaining and improving parking infrastructure
- Enhancing pedestrian and streetscape amenities
- Supporting local mobility programs
- Contributing to neighborhood beautification and safety efforts
The process will begin with installing pay stations on sidewalks in October and November 2025. During this period, City crews will test equipment but pay stations and meters will NOT be operational. Starting in early January 2026, pay stations will become operational and begin accepting payment. To learn about parking rates, meter zone locations, the parking commission, and more, visit the Playhouse Village On-Street Parking page on the City of Pasadena website.
North Hollywood to Pasadena BRT Project Update
The North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project is part of Metro’s plan for better transit. This project will connect the cities of Los Angeles (North Hollywood and Eagle Rock communities), Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena through a new zero-emission BRT service while improving access to jobs, education, and other important destinations.
Metro will be conducting exploratory potholes and slot trenching for the NoHo to Pasadena BRT Project during permitted hours of 9 AM – 4 PM at the following intersections:
- E. Colorado Blvd / Los Robles Ave: September 29–30
- E. Colorado Blvd / S. Lake Ave: October 1–8
An update on the NoHo/Pasadena BRT Project is due to be presented at the PVA Economic Development & Transportation Committee meeting on October 9 at 8:30 am via Zoom. If you would like to join this meeting, please contact brian@playhousevillage.org for more details.
LA County Emergency Resources for Workers and Businesses is Live
LA Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and partners have compiled information, programs, and resources for workers and businesses affected by the Los Angeles fires. Resources include webinars, loans (local, state, and federal), grants, financial counseling, legal services, insurance and tax information, workforce assistance, FEMA emergency relief, business technical assistance, and more. Visit bit.ly/DEOWildfireResponse to learn more.
B-2-B Space Share
Got room to spare? Help a displaced business thrive. LA County has launched Business-to-Business Space Share, a free exchange platform that connects displaced businesses, including non-profits, to temporary workspaces generously donated by other businesses throughout LA County. If you have space to donate, check out the FAQ for instructions on how to get added to this directory.
Webinars
Social Media Webinars
Enhancing Your Digital Footprint Webinar Series (FREE)
Are you in business, with a local presence and interested in finding out more about how to increase and attract potential new customers? Are you a newly launched business building brand recognition with some online presence? Attend one or more sessions to learn tips on how to create and improve your digital footprint:
Wednesday, October 1 @12-1PM | Hosted by College of the Canyons SBDC
Canva 101 for Entrepreneurs (FREE)
Learn how to use templates, brand kits, and Canva’s Content Planner to schedule your posts in advance so you never scramble again. And when you feel stuck on ideas or captions, this webinar will show you how to tap into ChatGPT as your creative assistant—a tool that can generate post ideas, draft captions, or spark visuals you can drop straight into Canva. Together, Canva and ChatGPT become your secret weapons to beat the blank page, save hours, and finally show up consistently in your business.
Wednesday, October 8 @10AM-12PM | Hosted by Pacific Coast Regional SBDC
Social Media: How to Tell Your Story, How to Sell Your Brand (FREE)
Learn key ways to tell a story without overselling your audience. Discuss examples of current brands and businesses who are leveraging specific platforms to ‘sell’. You will leave the webinar with an understanding of how to communicate your authenticity as related to your industry, how to grow real customers by engaging your community and how to use stories to sell.
Thursday, October 16 @12PM-2PM | Hosted by South Bay SBDC
Marketing Webinars
Live Q&A: All About Marketing Your Small Business (FREE)
SBDC advisor and Business Growth Strategist David Mitroff Ph.D. and Brad Pollak, Director of the Long Beach SBDC, will interact live with the audience via Zoom and answer questions covering a broad range of marketing topics including cutting-edge marketing ideas, business development strategies, how to leverage online platforms to grow your brand, mind-set, and professional growth, ways to develop strategic partnerships, event marketing, business operations, recruiting, franchising, the meaning of life and more.
Wednesday, September 25 @9AM-10AM | Hosted by Long Beach SBDC
Building an AI Website – Things to Know Before You Do (FREE)
Designing a website using AI is starting to attract more business owners to this affordable and very efficient way to develop a website in just minutes! However, before you make the move to design with AI, learn the pros and cons to using AI for web design.
Monday, September 29 @12PM-1PM | Hosted by College of the Canyons SBDC
SCORE Holiday Marketing (FREE)
Content marketing is more than just words — it’s your opportunity to engage, inform, and inspire. By creating and sharing valuable content, you can position yourself as a trusted expert in your industry and build meaningful connections with your audience.
Wednesday, October 8 @7-8:30AM | Hosted by SCORE Orlando
Marketing Essentials for Business Growth: Build Your Visibility & Drive Results (FREE)
This hands-on workshop is designed to help you understand and implement the core marketing strategies every business needs to grow. In this session, we’ll break down the essentials and help you build a solid foundation to boost your visibility, attract customers, and stay consistent with your outreach. Whether you’re just getting started or need to tighten up your marketing game, this workshop will give you clarity and action steps.
Wednesday, October 8 @9-10:30AM | Hosted by Long Beach SBDC
Operations Webinars
Best Payroll Practices For Your Business (FREE)
Learn essential payroll best practices to help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure that your team is paid accurately and on time. Whether you’re new to payroll or looking to improve your existing process, this session will provide valuable insights and practical tips for managing payroll efficiently.
Monday, September 29 @ 11AM-12:30PM | Hosted by Pacific Coast Regional SBDC
Registration Required
AI for Efficiency: Work Smarter, Save Time, Reduce Stress With Chat GPT 5.0 (FREE)
This interactive webinar is designed for all comfort levels — from AI beginners to the AI-curious — and is always delivered in a friendly, non-technical way that makes learning engaging and fun. Learn what AI is (and isn’t) in plain, practical language, discover how to use AI to automate repetitive tasks, see live demonstrations of AI tools for writing, research, and organization, and walk away with a downloadable checklist of “10 Everyday Ways to Use AI for Efficiency” you can start using right away.
Tuesday, September 30 @ 10AM-12PM | Hosted by Long Beach SBDC
Registration Required
Restaurant Academy: Menu Engineering: Menu Costing Basics (FREE)
Why think about menu costing? It’s the one factor you have control over in an ever-changing economic environment! Designed exclusively for restaurant owners, this hands-on course delves into the art and science of crafting menus that not only delight diners but also boost your bottom line. Learn how to strategically design, price, and analyze your menu offerings to optimize revenue and enhance customer satisfaction.
Monday, October 6 @ 11AM-12:30PM | Hosted by Pacific Coast Regional SBDC
Registration Required