Business Journal: Drybar, The UV, Aloft Hotels

An unusual, Irvine-based hairstyling chain is opening a Sacramento store today. The Sacramento Business Journal's Digital Editor Sonya Sorich says it's called Drybar.

"It has locations in the United States and Canada, but this is its first local site," says Sorich. "The business does not offer haircuts - instead, the emphasis is on washing and styling hair - which is good for a night out or preparing for something like a company head shot."

The new store is in the revamped University Village, or The UV as it's called now, at Howe Avenue and Fair Oaks Boulevard.

Sorich says another new business is Edge Studios, a fitness studio that will offer yoga, cycling and climbing.

"And we're not just talking about regular yoga here," says Sorich. This business is expected to have a Himalayan salt yoga studio that's designed to help release negative ions. And this fitness studio - Edge Studios - is expected to open in November."

Renovation of University Village is expected to cost more than $10 million.

The El Dorado Hills Town Center is getting a second hotel. Sorich says it'll be the region's first Aloft Hotels by Marriott property.

"This is an urban-oriented hotel chain that targets a tech-savvy demographic," says Sorich. "At this new hotel you can expect voice-activated rooms and robotic butler service."

It'll cost about $25 million to build the hotel. Also at the El Dorado Hills Town Center - the space previously occupied by Reunion nightclub will be converted into office space. Officials with the center say having office space puts workers in the area during the day which helps all the retailers and restaurants.

Sacramento's labor market continues to grow...but at a slower rate than the state. That's according to a mid-year report from the Sacramento Business Review - an economic forecast put out by Sacramento State business professor Sanjay Varshney. Sorich points out that some analysts acknowledge the economy is slowing but say we're not necessarily heading toward a recession.

"Plus there's some evidence the slowdown in construction activity is just temporary," says Sorich. "And there are bright spots. Healthcare employment grew over the last 12 months. And demand for good retail space is strong and that's even with the rise of online shopping, we're still seeing major retail projects."

...including Delta Shores in South Sacramento and Downtown Commons. The Business Review report found that the Sacramento job market has grown by 1.1 percent over the past 12 months...compared to 1.48 percent statewide. One reason, the study says, is because the construction sector saw employment fall by 4 percent, likely because of last winter's wet weather which delayed several building projects.