Chateau Big Bear has a new look for guests heading to the mountaintop community.
The original, French-inspired “Big Bear Inn” opened in 1987, the creation of Greek hotelier Paul Rizos. During the recent renovation, its newest owners kept the hotel open while work was done around guests, wrapping up last August.
Owner Mark Talbot and his family said the goal was to weave in “sophisticated yet playful design upgrades” that blend with the Chateau’s original elements.
Highlights of the renovation include reviving a Tiffany dome with help from stained glass specialists. “The dome was reportedly imported from a Parisian tango and brothel before being reassembled here at Tiffany’s Bistro,” Talbot said.
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The original grand piano, left idle in the lobby for years, also was restored and sits in Tiffany’s Bistro, where the hotel hosts weekly live music with local artists.
We asked Talbot, who is based in San Diego, for an update on what’s new at the hotel, which first opened in 1987.
Q: When did the remodel start (date)?
A: We bought Chateau Big Bear in August of 2021. Behind-the-scenes and mechanical systems were updated in the two years following the purchase, with a refresh of guest rooms and common spaces occurring throughout 2023 and 2024.
Event and meeting spaces are currently being updated with hopes to finish before the summer season.
Q: How did your family, originally from Australia, come to buy the hotel?
A: I first encountered the Chateau’s historic property when it was the Big Bear Inn back in 1999. I had just moved my family from Australia to California, and Big Bear was our first family ski trip. When we heard the Chateau was for sale, we couldn’t resist the opportunity to revive such a unique property.
So, we set out on a 3-year renovation unearthing all kinds of interesting and odd history. Having stayed in many boutique hotels around the world and as a hotelier, I was drawn to the grandeur and international presence of the Chateau and found it quite interesting that such an iconic architectural statement had been developed in a local ski mountain town.”
Q: Who is managing the hotel?
A: It is a part of the Best Western Signature Collection. Sherri Hoffman serves as the hotel’s experienced General Manager.
Q: Is the event and meeting space open yet?
A: Chateau Big Bear’s event spaces are currently open and available to book for corporate meetings, weddings, retreats, and more. The spaces will see cosmetic updates through the spring season.
Address: 42200 Moonridge Road, Big Bear Lake, California 92315
Credit union coming to Town Center in Chino
The 86-year-old Orange County’s Credit Union is opening its first branch this summer in the Inland Empire.
The credit union with more than 140,000 members is opening a flagship branch at Town Center at the Preserve in Chino.
The retail center at Pine Avenue and Main Street is owned by Lewis Retail Centers. The credit union branch will be in Suite 110 between Dentists of Chino Preserve and Forefront Dermatology.
The not-for-profit OCCU says “every dollar it earns goes back into the community through fewer fees, lower loan rates, and enhanced products and services designed to help their communities thrive.”
Costco expands gas pumping hours
Costco in recent weeks expanded its hours to pump gas the big-box retailer’s cheap gas.
Pumps are now open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday. On the weekends, the pump times are 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday and 7:30 p.m. on Sundays. Previously, pumps closed at 8:30 p.m. on weekdays.
The media-shy company announced the change on its Instagram account, where a lot of fans offered their thumbs-up. A few still took their chance to chide Costco for replacing their beloved churros with chocolate chip cookies.
Costco’s gas is usually priced lower than traditional gas stations. Its ability to buy in bulk and sell great quantities of gas daily mean it can sell all grades at lower prices.
Goodwill SoCal celebrates store remodels
Goodwill Southern California is unveiling store remodels in Hemet and Rancho Mirage.
The remodeled stores will host a ceremonial ribbon cutting Friday, March 21 – Sunday, March 23, 2025. Ribbon cutting ceremonies will take place at 9:45 a.m. on Friday, March 21 at each location.
In addition to the grand reopenings, customers can scan some deals, too. Goodwill recommends shoppers be on the lookout for colored tag discounts. It will host a number of drawings and door sales for early birds.
Hemet store: 3133 W. Florida Ave.
Rancho Mirage: 72014 Highway 111
Milestones
Courtney Wing, vice president of Development and Construction at Newcastle Partners in its Corona office, recently was named a NAIOP Research Foundation Visionary. She is one of five commercial real estate professionals selected based on career accomplishments, involvement with NAIOP, and interest in the Research Foundation’s mission. The Visionaries program provides mentoring, networking and research related experiences to rising industry leaders who are 40 years of age and under.
The business briefs are compiled and edited by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items to sgowen@scng.com. High-resolution images can also be submitted. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.
