Business briefs | Bear River arcade to close for renovations
Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria announced this week that the Bear River Family Entertainment Center will be entering a “hibernation” as it makes some renovations and adds amenities, a news release stated.
The last day of operation will be Dec. 31.
“This is part of a restructuring change and the facility will be operated by the Bear River Casino Resort and its staff. On January 1, 2026, the facility, new name TBD, will enter a special ‘hibernation’ phase as plans move forward to enhance the space with new amenities and expanded experiences for the community,” the release stated.
The Tribe anticipates welcoming guests back with a grand reopening sometime next summer.
“We are incredibly excited about what’s ahead,” John McGinnis, Bear River’s general manager, said in a prepared statement. “This transformation will allow us to better serve our community and visitors with a more modern, engaging, and family-friendly environment. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support and patience as we prepare for this next chapter.”
North Coast Co-op changes its terminology
Starting Jan. 1, 2026, North Coast Co-op will use the term “owner” rather than “member” in its messaging, the business announced in a news release this month.
The change reflects the cooperative business model, in which customers who purchase a share hold an ownership stake in the organization. When customers purchase a share, they become part-owners of the business rather than members of a club or discount program.
North Coast Co-op has operated under this model since it began as a volunteer-run food buying club in 1972. Today the co-op has more than 22,000 owners and employs a unionized workforce at both store locations. Owners can vote in board elections, run for the board of directors, and attend governance meetings. The board creates a strategic plan every five years with involvement from the ownership.
The terminology shift reflects three factors: accuracy, clarity about community ownership, and alignment with industry standards, the release from the Co-op stated.
“This is a small change, yet it reflects something we are proud of: our co-op is owned by the people who shop here. That ownership supports a business that keeps dollars local, strengthens our local food economy, and invests in the wellbeing of our community,” Sean Nolan, general manager of North Coast Co-op, said in a prepared statement.
North Coast Co-op operates grocery stores in Arcata and Eureka. For more information, go to northcoast.coop/owner or email the co-op at info@northcoast.coop.
Yurok member named to James Irvine board
The James Irvine Foundation announced this week that Yurok tribal member Susan Masten is one of the newest members on the board of directors. She begins her term in January. Masten is president and CEO of Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations.
The other new member is Vivian Velasco Paz, of Clovis, is the co-founder of Paz Dermatology, a family-owned practice with offices in Fresno and Visalia.
“We are grateful and excited to welcome Susan and Vivian to the board,” said Maria Anguiano, Chair of the Irvine Foundation Board of Directors. “They bring immensely valuable professional and lived experience related to the Irvine Foundation’s mission, and we cannot wait to benefit firsthand from their insights.”
The James Irvine Foundation is a private, nonprofit grantmaking foundation dedicated to expanding opportunity for the people of California.
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