“ Our Town , Our Paper ” lagunabeachindy . com APRIL 7 , 2023 | Volume XX , Issue 14

Investor Group Recently Claims Control of Laguna Beach Company ’ s Assets After Ongoing Business Dispute

By Clara Beard | LB Indy

According to recent reports , at least some of Laguna Beach Company ’ s tenants , which includes Hotel Laguna , were sent letters indicating a change in ownership and property management .

One such letter , sent to tenants of the Hive and obtained by the Independent , stated , “ Effective as of the date of this letter , Mohammed Honarkar is no longer acting on behalf of the aforementioned company ,” the March 29 letter said . “ You should no longer have contact with him or his office , including but not limited to , paying rent to Mr . Honarkar .”

The Hive , located on Laguna Canyon Road , includes tenants such as Laguna Beach Beer Company , Kitchen in the Canyon , Ivory , Flashman Designs , Prevail , Silver Jeans , Laguna Beach Candle Co . and LCAD ’ s Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Departments .

However , as of April 5 , a representative from the Laguna Beach Company claims Honarkar still owns Hotel Laguna and other Laguna Beach properties .

“ Contrary to some recent claims , Mo Honarkar and the Laguna Beach

By LB Indy Staff

When the sun rises over Main Beach this Sunday , a welcome Laguna Beach tradition returns as the community gathers to celebrate one of the most important events in the Christian faith .

“ Easter is so joyous and we ’ re thrilled the community sunrise service at 6 a . m . will be back in full swing ,” said Mary Scifres , interim pastor at Laguna Beach United Methodist Church , which hosts the annual service , open to all people .

Hotel Laguna is one of the properties said to be under a change of managerial control .

Company are fully retaining their ownership positions of Hotel Laguna and other local properties ,” the Laguna Beach Company wrote in an email to the Independent on Wednesday . “ Dayto-day food and beverage management of Hotel Laguna has been temporarily transferred while a business dispute is resolved . In the meantime , Hotel Laguna and the company ’ s other properties are operating normally and remain open for business to serve the

Like many things in life , Covid impacted this gathering , which is open to everyone . Last year the church held a small version of the sunrise service , but this year , with multiple vaccines and consistently low infection numbers , it ’ s expected the event will return to its former attendance , which hovers between 150-200 people .

One of the biggest draws to this sunrise service , besides the beautiful setting on the pathways of Main Beach , is the music . “ Our musicians love sharing the word of God through music with our

Laguna Beach community .”

Sources say Michael Kluchin , director of operations at Continuum Analytics , a partner of the Hotel Laguna LLC , has requested meetings with city council and staff to discuss the changes . According to Kluchin ’ s LinkedIn profile , Continuum Analytics specializes in distressed debt real estate investments .

As of press time , both Kluchin and the City of Laguna Beach have declined to comment . This is a developing story .

community ,” said Megan Waters , musical director at LBUMC . “ In December , we performed at Hospitality Night , just before Santa arrived , and it was so much fun . Unfortunately , that night there was also rain . This time we ’ re hopeful that Easter morning will bring in a bright sunny daybreak .”

While community members usually start filtering in just five or 10 minutes before the 6 a . m . start of the service ,

EASTER , PAGE 11

Mayor Bob Whalen , Laguna Beach City Manager Shohreh Dupuis , and Laguna Beach County Water District Assistant General Manager Christopher Regan stand outside city hall . Photo / City of Laguna Beach

By LB Indy Staff

Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen and the Laguna Beach County Water District are challenging residents to defend Laguna Beach ’ s title of “ Most Waterwise City .” Mayor Whalen is joining mayors across the country in asking residents to take part in the Wyland National Mayor ’ s Challenge for Water Conservation during the month of April . Laguna Beach has won the title

INSIDE

MAYOR , PAGE 13

THE ULTIMATE REAL ESTATE GUIDE FOR HOMEBUYERS & OWNERS IN NEWPORT BEACH AND LAGUNA BEACH

Take the water pledge during the month of April @ www . mywaterpledge . com

Laguna Beach County Water District