Food Processor Converts 25,000-SF Drug Facility

Matthew Artukovich of the City of Commerce office of Lee & Associates tells GlobeSt.com that Corn Maiden acquired the property for $2.2 million from Lake Forest-based Varian Inc., which had occupied the property for more than 20 years and had owned it for more than 10 years. Artukovich represented Corn Maiden, with Varian represented by Jeff Smart of the South Bay office of Grubb & Ellis.The building that Corn Maiden bought is a brick and block structure that was built in 1971. The facility represents a relocation from Westchester to larger quarters for Corn Maiden, which makes tamales, empanadas and other Mexican foods. Artukovich tells GlobeSt.com that the purchase represented a good deal in a number of respects for Corn Maiden because the facility, since it had been improved for drug manufacturing, included a number of upgrades and features that will facilitate its conversion to food processing. The building consists of one story with a second floor mezzanine office. Artukovich notes that Varian invested several million dollars in interior improvements in the building, and the buyer intends to utilize the heavy improvements in its converting the facility into a US Department of Agriculture approved food processing facility. The conversion will involve installing coolers and freezers and USDA food preparation rooms. Corn Maiden, which has been leasing approximately 10,000 sf in Westchester, expects to move into the new facility within the next few months, with the food processing conversion expected to be completed by June.