Latest news with #LittleWhaleSwimSchool
CBS News
15-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
New swim school in Sacramento's Land Park vandalized on opening night, owner says
SACRAMENTO -- A new swim school in Sacramento's Land Park neighborhood fell victim to vandalism that had long plagued their once-vacant building on Broadway. Little Whale Swim School opened its second Sacramento location last week on what was once one of the city's busiest commercial business corridors. The swim school converted an old vacant bank building into a custom-built indoor swimming pool 25 feet wide by 50 feet long. "As a new business, I knew what we were moving into. The first time we looked at this building, there was a homeless encampment, human feces, drug paraphernalia. But I wasn't afraid," said Anya Hall, Owner of Little Whale Swim School. "I want to be part of the revitalization of the downtown and Tower District. We're here to stay," said Anya Hall, Owner of Little Whale Swim School. The local business hosted their grand opening, and hours after it ended, surveillance footage showed a man cut through the locks on the gate, a lock box, and attempt to break into a storage container in the parking lot. There was nothing inside, Hall told CBS13, as it was cleared out for the grand opening. But the vandalism required the business to change the locks within 48 hours of opening their doors. The person did not enter the facility, Hall said, but the attempt was enough to put the opening off to a "kind of sad start." The break-in isn't the only challenge Little Whale has faced since opening. In just its first week, Hall says the business has dealt with package thefts, vandalism, and even dumping incidents including abandoned boats and dead fish in the parking lot. Little Whale expects to serve around 2,000 students a week, offering swim lessons to children in a safe and controlled environment. "I hope we can band together with the community," Hall said. "We need more attention on this area… to keep it safe." Despite the start, Hall remains committed to staying and helping rebuild the Broadway corridor. Hall says they've filed a police report.
Business Journals
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
5 things: Little Whale Swim School opens on Broadway
Welcome to Tuesday, loyal readers. Friendly reminder: You have until Friday to submit nominations for this year's Best Places to Work Awards. We're looking for local employers that have created an outstanding workplace culture. Nomination information is available online. Here's what else you need to know today. Want more local business headlines? Sign up for our morning and afternoon newsletters to get Sacramento business news delivered straight to your inbox. GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY Find Local Events Near You Connect with a community of local professionals. Explore All Events Little Whale Swim School opens on Broadway In 2023, my colleague Jake Abbott told you that locally owned Little Whale Swim School would fill a former bank building at 1331 Broadway in Sacramento. Update: The swim school is now open on Broadway, according to a social media announcement from the business. This is the second location for the indoor swim school, which also has a site at 4106 El Camino Ave. in Arden-Arcade. Anya Hall owns the business. The Broadway swim school was a $2 million project, according to the Business Journal's recent Redefining the Core coverage. Railyards development finally coming to life In the works for decades, the Railyards project north of Sacramento is now showing tangible results. The AJ — a 345-unit, mixed-income project in the Railyards — began leasing in late April. A half-mile west of AJ, dozens of construction worker cars are parked across Railyards Boulevard from the other big project underway in that area — Kaiser Permanente's $1 billion, 18-acre medical center campus. Two more projects are on deck: a new 12,000-seat soccer stadium for Sacramento Republic FC, and adaptive reuse of an existing building to create Paint Shop, a venue for live events. In our latest cover story, Senior Reporter Ben van der Meer has an update on the Railyards project. Entertainment chain replacing former Rite Aid A former Rite Aid space in Roseville is being converted into a new entertainment facility by a chain breaking into the California market. The building at 990 Pleasant Grove Blvd. in Roseville's Veterans Plaza has been vacant since Rite Aid shuttered the site in 2022. Winnipeg, Manitoba-based entertainment company Activate Games, which operates facilities globally that merge technology and physical activity to create live-action gaming experiences, is seeking a permit to remodel a portion of the building. Reporter Jake Abbott explains what Activate Games is planning in Roseville. Local company closes after failing to raise capital Ag-tech company California Safe Soil LLC has shut down its operations and is liquidating its products and planning to auction off its equipment. The 2012 startup developed a process to convert leftover expired food from supermarkets into a low-cost, nutrient-rich soil amendment for farmers. 'We ran out of money. We were making great progress,' said founder Dan Morash. The company ceased operations May 2. Reporter Mark Anderson has details about California Safe Soil's closure. 2 local nonprofits combining to expand services TKMomentum Inc., a Sacramento-based nonprofit providing employment services for people with barriers to work, is being acquired by Odyssey Learning Center Inc., an Orangevale nonprofit known for its programs for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. All 80 TKMomentum employees will join Odyssey Learning Center when the acquisition is completed July 1, leaders from both organizations said. Reporter Chris Campbell explains what you need to know about Odyssey Learning Center's planned acquisition of TKMomentum. Have a great day, folks. Thanks for reading.
CBS News
10-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Swimming school gives new life to Sacramento building with history of vandalism
SACRAMENTO — A new swimming school had its grand opening in a building on Sacramento's Broadway that's been sitting vacant for years and has been the victim of vandalism. An old vacant bank building in the Land Park neighborhood has been converted into a custom-built indoor swimming pool. "It's 25 feet wide by 50 feet long," said Anya Hall, owner of Little Whale Swim School. Hall hopes her new business will help bring a boost to the boulevard. "It's really an important thoroughfare of Sacramento," she said. "A lot of history on this street." Broadway, most famous for being the home of the Tower Theater, is one of Sacramento's oldest commercial corridors. But over the last few years, a number of businesses like Walgreens and Starbucks have closed. The area's also been impacted by crime and homelessness, with some property owners putting up boulders to prevent people from setting up tents. "I think it's important that the city let folks know that Broadway is safe," said City Councilmember Phil Pluckebaum. Pluckebaum represents the neighborhood. "There's still a lot of work to do, but we're very glad to have businesses like this investing in the corridor," he said. Another youth-oriented business, the School of Rock, is also opening along Broadway later this year. People who live nearby are glad to see new shops fill the vacant and boarded-up buildings. "We can now walk or ride bikes here," Land Park resident Brian King said. "We're very, very happy to have this in the neighborhood." The neighborhood is banking on a new business as a way to help this commercial district bounce back. "I'm excited about the potential of bringing Broadway back to life," Hall said. Little Whale Swim School also offers lessons for adults and says they hope to get up to 2,000 students a week.
