Results tagged “Biz Buzz” from RCNow

Stor-n-Lock Self Storage on 10975 Arrow Route is hosting a Toys for Tots drive through Dec. 15. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The toys will go to under-privileged children in the area. 

Information: (909) 476-7100

Victoria Gardens and Bass Pro Shops aren't the only spots boasting Santa Claus.

Kris Kringle will make a brief appearance at the poinsettia tree at Terra Vista Town Center from 1 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 12. You can bring your own camera for pictures.

You might have noticed a large banner on Haven and Foothill announcing that WiFi is available. The old school shopping center seems to be getting new technology. The three hot spots are at -- Target and Big 5; Aaron Brothers; and from DVD Planet to Bally's. 

 

Is it harder to find a job if you're not into Facebook?

It seems like it, especially if you want to work for Nestle. The cookie joint is gearing up to open at the end of the year at Victoria Gardens. This sign is posted in front of the shop, which is across from Starbucks.

Several newcomers have opened at the mall, including Dukez (Men's apparel), Swee'Ts (funnel cakes and other carnival food), Raylight-Flashwear (clothes that light up) and Gelato Ice & Bites.

Two sit-down restaurants, Paisanos and Candelas, are expected to open at the end of the year or in January. Paisanos, an Italian restaurant, will be near AMC. Candelas, a Mexican restaurant, will be near Fleming's.

It looks like Victoria Gardens will have a Chipotle in the future. A liquor license notice is seen posted at a shop near Pinkberry.

Jamba Juice, located at Victoria Gardens near Starbucks, will offer free flatbreads to the first 150 customers starting at 2 p.m. Tuesday. The new California Flatbread comes in four flavors -- Tomo Artichoko, Smokehouse Chicken, Mediterran Yum and Four Cheesy.

Everybody knows the 21st birthday is the best.

Celebrate it with Wahoo's, on 11561 Foothill Blvd., next Saturday starting 11 a.m. The first 21 guests will receive a special goody bag. Gift cards and coupons for free meals will also be handed out. 

Restaurant vacancy? What restaurant vacancy, asks Victoria Gardens.

Two sit-down restaurants are fighting the clock to open in time for the holiday season. Paisano, an Italian restaurant, is scheduled to open at the end of this month. The restaurant will open near the AMC Theaters, filling the void left by Sisley's in January.

Candelas, a Mexican restaurant with locations in San Diego and Coronado, is expected to open in January or earlier, said Masa Liles, director of marketing for Victoria Gardens. The eatery will take over the space left by Wapango, which also closed in January.

Peppermint, pumpkin and winter dream lattes will be free this Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. The Holiday Open House offer is at all California locations.

Does anyone out there know what "winter dream" is?

Starting today, Trader Joe's is opening at 8 a.m., one hour earlier than normal. The change is happening chain wide. One cashier told me it's an effort to compete with larger supermarkets that have longer hours.

Businesses near the train tracks on Haven Avenue are struggling now that a portion of the street is completely closed. Many are mom and pop shops that depend on passersby. If you're in the area, try to stop by, even if it's slightly out of the way.

Keep in mind that although Haven is closed from Sixth and Arrow, you can still go past the detour signs at Sixth and Arrow to frequent businesses and doctor's offices. You just can't cross the tracks.

El Ranchero, at Sixth and Haven remains open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Use Sixth to get to the Mexican eatery. The other El Ranchero on Carnelian and 19th has been opened for 10 years. When owner Robert Cantarero opened the Haven location, he had no idea that construction on Haven would begin three weeks later.

Just because the street is closed is no excuse to skip your workout. California Athletic Club, although a bit tricky to get to, is still open. Going north bound, use Sixth and go into the Arco station to a back road that takes you behind the gym. Going south bound, use Hermosa, Eighth, Center and Seventh to get to the gym.

Perhaps the hardest hit of all is Haven Car Wash, which depends heavily on people driving by and hardly anybody has been driving by Haven and Jersey since Friday. Owner Nick Nazari said it's been a nightmare since initial work on the street started earlier this year. Use Utica and Jersey to get to the car wash/gas station. You can also take Haven past Arrow going southbound.

That lonely void left by Sisley's at Victoria Gardens will soon be filled.

Italian restaurant Paisano is leaving its Fontana location and moving next to Lucille's at Victoria Gardens. The eatery is expected to open mid-December, said Masa Liles, director of marketing for Victoria Gardens.



 

From The Bizz, Matt Wrye reports that Sen. Bob Dutton will speak at the Inland Valley Business Alliance next Monday. As you may know, the IVBA is former Chamber President Norm MacKenzie's latest venture.  

You've driven by it a zillion times. It's finally going to open.

Fresh & Easy's doors open 10 a.m. Sept. 30. Reusable bags will be given out on opening day.

The neighborhood grocer is on the corner of Foothill and Day Creek, next to BevMo.

... and Daves and Davys.

Famous Dave's, the barbecue eatery on 11470 Fourth St., is marking the chain's 15th anniversary next Monday by giving special treatment for anyone named David, Dave or Davy. Dudes with this special name will get a free entree with a maximum value of $15. Guys with those names as their middle names will get entrees half off.

For everyone else, there's the "buck-a-bone" special, which is St. Louis-style ribs for $1 per bone with any entree purchase. There's also $3 draft domestic beers Monday through Thursday. These specials are good 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The restaurant opened its first location in Hayward, Wisc. in 1994 and opened in this town last summer. There are now 175 locations across the country.

Information: (909) 481-2271

   

The Universal Martial Arts Centers (actually, it's just one center on 9879 Foothill near Ramona) will teach a women's self defense seminar on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. The cost is $20 and proceeds will go to local elementary schools. Instructor Rick Duffy will teach participants how to escape or defend an attacker themselves.

Information: (909) 989-1400     

You might have read about the odd pairing in David Allen's column. The Ontario Library cafe is applying for a liquor license.

In this city, wine and books come together when Total Wine & More, the new beverage retailer on Foothill and Day Creek, will donate $5,000 to the Library Foundation on Thursday's grand opening celebration. The wine, beer and spirits warehouse will also donate $5,000 to the Community Foundation, which raises money for cultural and recreational programming.

Total Wine, which opened last week, is hosting an official grand opening 6 p.m. Thursday with several council members. There will be tours of the 24,000-square-foot facility and tastings.    

A new booze superstore opened today at the Foothill Crossing Shopping Center on 8201 Day Creek. Total Wine & More, just catty corner from Bev Mo, carries 8,000 varieties of wine, 1,000  kinds of beers and 2,000 kinds of liquor. 

Rancho resident Troy Guard, 14, shows off his spray paint art at the Victoria Gardens Art Fair last week.
The new pedestrian fair on South Mainstreet features more than 40 vendors every Wednesday from 4 to 9 p.m. through October.
 
Thomas R. Cordova/
Staff Photographer

The featured story in the newly designed City News today featured Mainstreet Marketplace at Victoria Gardens, the pedestrian fair on South Mainstreet that started this month.

I took an after dinner stroll there on Wednesday, my second time visiting, and was surprised to see businesses that I didn't see the first time. If you enjoy walking through all the exhibit halls at the county fair, you might like the mall's latest addition.

I briefly contemplated buying five bars of handmade soap and a flower pot in the shape of a turtle but I talked myself out of it. But I watched many others buying all sorts of goods they don't need, perhaps an early sign that the mall is inching its way out of the recession.

According to the David Allen Blog, two more restaurants in this city have called it quits. Greek eatery Mama's Grill on Haven near Civic Center Drive and Senor Agave, the Mexican restaurant that took over Margarita Beach.

Word is, Mama might move to a new location. Let's hope she (he?) finds a spot better than the very hidden one near the JCPenney outlet.