TMCnet News
Yuma Businesses on the Move, February 2009(The Sun (Yuma, AZ) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Feb. 26--Local trucking firm closes doors LA Yuma Freight Lines has closed its doors, said Rusty Washum of the business his father started more than 50 years ago. System-wide, the closure affects 140 employees. The closure is effective company-wide, he said. That includes the Yuma operation at 800 S. Pacific Ave., as well as terminals in Santa Fe Springs in the Los Angeles area, Phoenix and Tucson and a small operation in Prescott. Washum attributed the closure to a "host" of factors that increased the cost of doing business and decreased revenue, resulting in "an unsustainable operating environment. It's the overall economic conditions," he said. "Transportation has been hit hard." Work starts on dialysis center Ground work has begun on the new DaVita Dialysis Center to be located at Plaza del Este, 7179 E. 31st Place. The project is expected to take six months, said general contractor Leo Pilkington of Pilkington Commercial Co. The new 7,600-square-foot clinic will replace the dialysis clinic at 3010 S. 4th Ave. It will have 20 chairs, enabling the clinic to treat more patients in a state-of-the-art setting, said Dr. Kamal Ahmed, who will own the building and lease it to DaVita. He also serves as the clinic's medical director. DaVita also has a 30-chair clinic at 2130 W. 24th St. DaVita is the first project to get under way at the 22-acre commercial subdivision being developed by Michael W. Curtis Realty. Other lots have been purchased by AEA Federal Credit Union, State Farm and Territorial Engineers. For lot information, call 783-2215. Native New Yorker opens Native New Yorker, home of Yuma's newest and "coolest place for the hottest wings" is now open for business at 1530 S. Castle Dome Ave. in the restaurant next to the Shilo Inn. Before opening, franchise owner Dale Hiles gave the establishment a face lift and installed audio/visual equipment throughout the grill and sports bar, including the outdoor patio. Besides wings, the menu includes salads, soups, burgers, sandwiches, pizza and stromboli. The restaurant is open from 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays and until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The phone number is 329-1171. Wait seeks tenants for complex Yuma East developer Ross Wait has announced he's getting back on track with the shopping center he's had planned on Fortuna Road for some time -- it was stalled by the roadway improvement project and Far West sewer issues. Located just north of the Post Office on Fortuna Road, the shopping center will have about 33,000 square feet. Wait is in the process of reviewing original tenants; other potential tenants can call him at 342-2203. Wait hopes to break ground in March and be ready for occupancy by the fall. Work starts on Foothills Walgreens The long-awaited Foothills-area Walgreens, also stalled by roadwork and Far West sewer issues, is now under construction. The 14,800-square-foot Walgreens is being built at the northwest corner of 35th Place and Fortuna Road. SMILE moves SMILE (Services Maximizing Living and Empowerment) has moved into the recently completed SME office building at 1931 S. Arizona Ave. The nonprofit organization helps those with disabilities live a productive and safe life. It can be reached at 329-6681. Radisson opens doors The Radisson Hotel, 1501 S. Redondo Center Drive, is now open and ready to serve the traveling public. The four-story hotel has 150 guestrooms, 3,000 square feet of meeting space, business center, indoor and outdoor pools and full service gym. The Hydra Bistro Restaurant and Bar offers fine dining with a Mediterranean influence. The hotel can be reached at 783-8000. It is owned by Jerry and Peggy Phillips, who also own La Fuente Inn. Discount tea business at Market Place Entertaining Tea at a Discount has moved from Scottsdale's Old Town to the Arizona Market Place in Yuma on Avenue 4E and 32nd Street. The tea and accessory store is in Row H, Space No. 49. The shop carries tea, teapots and other things needed to make tea from around the world, including organics, Bone China and tea cosies from England and Ireland. Owner David Kish started the business 13 years ago in Albuquerque and is very happy with his new home in "growing" Yuma. He can be reached at 329-6172. Julieanna's adds stage Julieanna's Patio Cafe, 1951 W. 25th St., has built a stage off the patio dining are to accommodate the increasing number of customers showing up to dine and listen to the popular local quintet, Yuma Jazz Company. "Julieanna's Birdland Stage" refers to both the famous jazz club in New York and the exotic bird population that occupies the stage area during the day. For more information about Julieanna's, visit www.julieannaspatiocafe.com. To learn more about Yuma Jazz Company and its events, visit www.yumajazz.com. Asian fusion restaurant opens Palagor Asian Fusion Cuisine is now open for business at 771 S. 4th Ave. (where Gene's Restaurant was located for years). The new establishment features the best of cuisines from various Asian countries and the East Coast. But it will be a healthier version with less sodium and oil, said partners Alex Aw and Kenny Chuah. They both honed their cooking skills in their native Malaysia. Chuah also had worked for a prestigious restaurant chain on the East Coast before coming to Yuma. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, call at 782-2607 or 782-2608. This is the third restaurant for the partners. They continue to operate the popular Highway 95 Cafe at 2585 E. 16th St., and in December they opened Asian Bowl Cafe in Wellton at 28541 Los Angeles Ave. The phone number for that new restaurant is 785-4669. Change for Foothills fitness center The YMCA in the Foothills is now the Schechert Family Aquatic and Fitness Center, said Paula Capestro, president of H&S Developers, whose family owns the property. Previously, the fitness facility owned by the company at 11737 S. Foothills Blvd. had been operated by the YMCA to serve the Foothills area. YMCA continues to operate its Yuma facility at 2550 S. 4th Ave. Capestro said plans are to expand swimming hours and offer more classes at good rates. The center will continue to offer the popular "Silver Sneakers" membership plan. The phone number is 317-0522. Tee time for miniature golf ZPZ Miniature Golf, an 18-hole indoor miniature golf course, is now open for business and fun at the Pacific Plaza, 1335 S. Pacific Ave. Kids of all ages are invited to come by for a round of golf from noon to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, noon to 11 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays. Discounts are offered for active duty military, their dependents and veterans. Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., seniors get a round of miniature golf and cup of coffee for $5. The Internet Cafe serves up ice cream, nachos, popcorn, candy, sodas and coffee. Two party rooms are available for birthdays and other special events. Next door, Sassy Sue's Boutique and Dress Up Parties also is now open and booking princess, rock star, pirate and cowboy parties. For more information and to book a party at either business, call 1-800-513-7314 or visit ZPSminiaturegolf.com or sassysueparties.com. The two businesses are the projects of Michael and Sue Swederski. Foothills Realty grows Broker Leslie Moore has moved her Yuma Foothills Realty office to the space formerly occupied by Mr. B's at Foothills Village, 11242 S. Foothills Blvd., Space 5. It was a real step up from her original space in the same complex, Moore said of the agency she started in 2001. Moore has been a real estate agent since 1992, when Foothills founder Hank Schechert recruited her from the now defunct radio station KYXI when she tried to sell him advertising. Yuma Foothills Realty has listings for homes and land stretching from Avenue 9E to Dateland, Moore said. Also in her office are Susan Pacicca and Donna White. They can be reached at 342-0499 or visit www.yumafoothillsrealty.net. Nature's Express expands Nature's Express, Yuma's own healthier fast food restaurant, is expanding. The restaurant has signed an agreement to partner with Clark's, a nutrition and health oriented grocery chain, to run its in-store cafe in Rancho Mirage. Nature's Express also will be preparing a healthier line of fresh grab-and-go items for all three of Clark's Los Angeles-area stores. In addition, Nature's Express has an option to expand operations to the Clark's stores in Loma Linda and Riverside. The original Nature's Express opened in early January at 2905 S. 4th Ave. It has since opened a second restaurant in San Diego and also wholesales healthier grab-and-go sandwiches throughout Southern California. Yuma oncologist Dr. Carl Myers founded Nature's Express with his wife, Jean, and partner Mitch Wallis of San Diego to provide Yumans with an alternative for better health. Foothills shopping center under way Earth moving activity at the northeast corner of Interstate 8 and Fortuna Road is for a 30-acre commercial subdivision being developed by Scott Spencer's company, Hardknocks Limited Partnership. The project wraps around the Chevron station at the corner and includes the new Rural/Metro Fire Station Spencer is building to lease back to that company. He said he expects the new 5,000-square-foot fire station to be completed soon. As for the rest of the subdivision, called the Mesa Del Sol Commercial Centre, Spencer said he's talking to a number of potential tenants, including both fast-food and sit-down restaurants. There's also interest in another hotel or two, office space and possibly a small grocery store, he said. Anyone interested in a space can reach him at 342-5253. Work starts on defense hangar Construction has begun on a new hangar to be built at the Yuma International Airport's Defense Contractor Complex. The 160-acre complex at the southwest portion of the airfield is being developed to support the defense industry related to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and Yuma Proving Ground. Lococo-Pilkington Construction of Yuma is the general contractor for the hangar project. Models going up for new subdivision TDG (The Development Group) has started work on 17 site-built homes at Araby Crossing, a new residential subdivision at Araby Road and 32nd Street. Four of the homes will be models while the remaining 13 will be available for sale, with early-buyer incentives and special opening prices of $169,000 to $215,000. The three- and four-bedroom homes range in size from 1,200 to 1,700 square feet. For more information, interested homebuyers can call 345-1623. New home for Byrd Refrigeration For the new year, Byrd Refrigeration Service has a new location. The longtime business is now at 1219 E. 21st St., Suite C, announced owner Laura Byrd. Her daughter, Kelley Byrd-Holzer, is the manager. The business has the same phone number of 783-0159. Stylist opens salon Lisa Enos, who has more than 20 years experience as a hairstylist, has opened her own hair salon. Called Salon Milan Studio, it's at 2540 S. 4th Ave., Suite 1, and can be reached at 388-4572. The salon is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and on Mondays by appointment. Publication ranks Yuma In its latest publication, Expansion Solutions ranked Yuma as one of the "top 5 communities for the defense industry," reported Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp. The ranking was based on a region's exceptional progress and potential within the development area by successfully recruiting, retaining and assisting growing businesses. Together, Yuma Proving Ground and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma account for a cumulative economic impact of approximately $750 million annually, according to GYEDC. The extent of their presence is apparent in the thousands of domestic and foreign visitors who come to Yuma each year to train and test state-of-the-art defense systems and technology. New owner for H&R Block offices The six Yuma-area H&R Block offices have been acquired as franchise offices by Birgit Klockman of Brawley H&R Block Services. Yuma clients will see no change in the services offered at the local offices other than added services in the near future, including year-round bookkeeping services. Klockman has been associated with H&R Block since 1984 and manages offices in Brawley, Calexico, El Centro and Blythe. She also is a financial adviser, an enrolled agent with IRS, a mortgage broker and has an insurance license. Yuma's H&R Block offices are at 661 S. 4th Ave. (783-8241); 1453 S. Yuma Palms Parkway in the Yuma Palms Regional Center (783-0336); 2674 W. 16th St., Suite B-1, in Plaza Del Rio (782-5507); 260 W. 32nd St. (317-1771); and 3150 S. 4th Ave. in the Sears store at Southgate Mall (314-0829). The Foothills office is at 11611 Foothills Blvd., Suite E, in the Schechert Plaza (342-6122). Cafe, bakery now serving Homemade by Jody (Ward), a cafe and bakery, is now open for business on the west side of Yuma at Mission Valley Plaza, 24th Street and Avenue C. The establishment features Ward's homestyle cooking from cinnamon rolls to chicken dumplings made from her grandmothers' recipes. She's open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, when people can stop by for a hot breakfast or coffee and a pastry, as well as soups, salads and sandwiches to eat in the dining area, grab to go or pick up for lunch or dinner. For more information, call 580-1010. Del Taco closes restaurant Del Taco has closed its location at 4th Avenue and 20th Street as of Dec. 30. This location first opened more than 35 years ago when Yuma was a much smaller town, said company spokeswoman Barbara Caruso. Since then, the company has have opened three restaurants throughout the city that better serve the growing community. Employees were offered the chance to relocate to other restaurants. For information about leasing the building, contact A.T. Pancrazi Real Estate at 782-0000. Peterbilt dealership coming to Yuma Rush Enterprises is in the process of relocating its El Centro Peterbilt dealership to Yuma, with a target opening date of mid- to late February. The phone number will be 726-9818. Rush Truck Center will be located at 3382 E. Gila Ridge Road, announced Randy Voutt, general manager. The center will sell new and used trucks and also has a state-of-the-art service facility with the latest diagnostic tooling, qualified technicians, large parts inventory and 24/7 roadside assistance. While relocating to Yuma, the center will continue to provide sales, service and parts to its loyal customers in Imperial Valley, Voutt said. Barney's has Flying J diesel Barney's truckstop in the Foothills at 10800 North Frontage Road has entered into a partnership with Flying J to provide the buying power -- and lower prices -- of a national chain for diesel customers such as long-haul truckers and motor home owners for the Foothills location, said owner Patrick Rook. "It's still a Barney's," said owner Patrick Rook, adding that the change applies only to the Foothills station. "It's just a new image on the diesel side." New owner for Blimpie's The Yuma Blimpie's stores at 592 E. 16th St. and 1025 W. 24th St. are now under new franchise ownership and are even sporting updated menu boards listing some new sandwiches. Manager Paul Wynn. said that Dionne Bonner has purchased the franchise for Blimpie's of Yuma from Tom Wynn (yes, he is Paul's father), and he invites people to come by either store and sample the new menu. Character trainer offers workshops Margaret Mai, a certified trainer for CHARACTER COUNTS!, has begun a new business called Southwest Character and Leadership Development. She will provide workshops on character (primarily using CHARACTER COUNTS!), basic leadership skills such as public speaking and issue analysis, and the Effective People Skills program (finding your behavior style and how it works with others). Mai can be reached at 726-7456 or [email protected]. Recent business closures Recent business closures include: --Dippin' Dots, which served up bite-sized "dots" of ice cream, has closed its doors, a victim of the economic downturn, said owner Brett Simala. The store was located at Yuma Palms Regional Center at 1418 S. Yuma Palms Parkway. While he no longer has the store, Simala said he is keeping the franchise and will still be doing special events such as the fair, rodeo and Main Street festivities. He also will continue to do fundraisers for schools and is available for catering. He can be reached at 210-1411. --It appears that Katz, a plus-size consignment shop and boutique located at 5720 E. 32nd St., has closed. At least it no longer is located at that address, according to another business there. And the phone number has a message that incoming calls aren't accepted. --5 Star Video at 812 S. Avenue A is closed. The store by the same name in the Foothills is still open. --The sign at Foxworth-Galbraith, 550 W. 8th St., says the business has moved to its Foothills location at 10537 South Frontage Road. And the name has come off the front of the building. Calls to the corporate office for comment have not been returned. Angels PRN moves Angels PRN Inc. has moved to Keystone Plaza, 2755 S. 4th Ave., Building 1, Suite 101, announced officer manager Barbara Hern. The agency can be reached at 726-9163. Angels PRN is a state-licensed home health agency that is locally owned and operated by Melinda Perez. This January marks the sixth anniversary of the agency, which expresses thanks to the clients, staff and the community for their support. Team Ramco now dealer for under/overdrive units Team Ramco, 47101 E. Gila Ridge Road, now is the Yuma-area dealer for the gear vendor under/overdrive unit. The unit -- for motor homes, trucks and 4-wheel drives -- allows the driver to split gears to increase the vehicle's efficiency, explained Flash Sharrar, owner of Team Ramco. The gear vendor will enhance power, torque and fuel efficiency while reducing wear on the vehicle, he said. In addition to being the dealer for gear vendor, Sharrar said Team Ramco is the installer and service provider. For more information, call 344-5360. Pinkser moves financial office Harriett Pinsker, a financial adviser with LPL Financial Corp., has moved her office. She is now at 2260 S. 4th Ave., Suite 2B, in Citrus Plaza. Her phone number stays 783-0163. Realtor opens office Longtime Realtor Tina Eaton has opened her real estate broker office, Tina Eaton Realty, at 11710 S. Foothills Road, Suite D, in the Foothills. She can be reached at 305-1900 or by cell phone at 246-3337 or e-mail at tina@tinaeatonreal ty.com. Eaton has sold new homes with TDG over the past few years and resale prior to that. She looks forward to serving all clients, "whether you are buying, selling or simply considering a move." ABRiO opens Yuma office ABRiO Family Services has opened its new Yuma office at 183 E. 24th St., Suite 7. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and be reached at 314-9961. ABRiO Family Services is one of the largest family services companies in Arizona providing services in Phoenix, Flagstaff, Page, Cottonwood, Kingman, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu City, Parker and now Yuma. For more than 15 years, the agency has provided services to support and enhance independent living for people with developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and those who are aging and wish to remain in their home. Such services include help with meals, bathing, personal care and light housekeeping. In addition, ABRiO Family Service's Employment programs provide job coaching and skills training needed to land a job or change a career. Circuit City to close Bankrupt Circuit City Stores Inc. has announced it will liquidate its remaining 567 U.S. stores. Circuit City in Yuma is located at 1232 S. Castle Dome Ave. in the Las Palmillas Shopping Center. The 20,300-square-foot store opened for business in the fall of 2002. Circuit City will be the second loss for Las Palmillas in recent months. Shoe Pavilion closed its doors in December. Elsewhere in Yuma, Mervyn's store, 475 W. 32nd St., closed its doors after the holiday season. And last summer, Linens 'N Things in Yuma Palms Regional Center closed its doors. New owner for salon Extreme Hair Co., 1416 S. 5th Ave., has been renovated and reopened by new owner Tomi K. Moreno. The salon offers hair services for men and women, and Moreno hopes to begin offering massage services. The salon is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. It can be reached at 782-3505. Moreno said she plans to donate the proceeds from haircuts on the first Tuesday of each month to a local charity. Fire damages dress shop A fire Jan. 12 heavily damaged Chikas Glamour, 2445 S. 4th Ave., and merchandise inside. Chikas Glamour, owned by Grace Alvarez, featured women's clothing, jewelry and accessories. The fire temporarily displaced three other businesses in the strip center in the 2400 block of 4th Avenue. They included Tangle Tamers (call 341-0061 or 726-7819), Speedy's Barber Shop (726-7766) and Advance Cash (726-4000). River Marine Sales in new shop River Marine Sales has moved into its new, much larger facility at 3231 S. Joanie Ave. in the Ramster Industrial Park (access off 32nd Street and Avenue 3-1/2E). The business can still be reached at 783-6502. River Marine Sales is a dealer for G3 aluminum fishing and pontoon boats and Ranger boats, and also has become a Skeeter Boats dealer. In addition to the sale of boats, accessories and motors, the shop is qualified to service Evinrud and Yamaha motors. The business also now carries Stihl chainsaws and landscaping equipment. The business is owned by Kelly Leigh, who formed River Marine Sales from the purchase of Davidson Marine Supply and the inventory from Colorado River Boats. Yuma Rehab Hospital joins SCF network Yuma Rehabilitation Hospital has joined SCF Arizona's preferred connection network and will offer medical services at a discount rate to SCF policyholders whose employees are injured on the job. Yuma Rehabilitation Hospital, 901 W. 24th St., is a 41-bed, free-standing acute rehabilitation hospital. It partners with HealthSouth Corp. and Yuma Regional Medical Center to provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services for patients with physical limitations from an illness or injury. To see more of The Sun or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.yumasun.com/. Copyright (c) 2009, The Sun, Yuma, Ariz. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |