Shoppin' and eatin': February 2012 Archives

Here at the Daily Bulletin, we take city borders very seriously. Unless there's sickness, the Upland reporter covers Upland and the Ontario reporter covers Ontario.

Today I was invited to a luncheon hosted by the Upland Chamber of Commerce at a Rancho Cucamonga restaurant. It turns out, the Sycamore Inn and Magic Lamp, two Rancho Cucamonga restaurants close to the Upland border, are favorites of the Upland chamber. Surely there are Upland restaurants that the Upland chamber could promote. But I guess the Upland Chamber of Commerce is a bit of a misnomer. Its members spread across the Inland Valley making it more like a regional chamber.

There at Sycamore Inn, I bumped into Supervisor Janice Rutherford. The former Fontana councilwoman is moving to Rancho Cucamonga. The supervisor wanted to move to a bigger house with a yard for her young children. It turns out, Rutherford's new Etiwanda home is east of her current Fontana home. Funny how city boundaries work.

Ice cream store Handel's has opened on Haven Avenue and 210 Freeway near Corky's. It's their soft opening; a grand opening will take place in coming weeks. The store boasts 48 different flavors. On Thursdays, cones for $1. At the Upland location, the $1 special is on Wednesdays.
 

In 2009, I wrote about the rivalry between two Pomona Mediterranean restaurants serving a nearly identical menu and located in the same strip mall. The "kebob war" was between Aladdin Jr. and The Mirage; both owners had unkind words for the other.

Later that year, The Mirage owner John Hassan sold his restaurant and went on to open Ali Baba down the street on Foothill Boulevard in Claremont. Ali Baba closed in December.

In 2010, I wrote about bike shop Cyclery USA opening in the same Rancho Cucamonga plaza as Competitive Edge. Allegations of back-stabbing and unethical practices were lobbed.

Surprisingly, there have been developments in both stories.

The Mirage, which has changed owners several times since Hassan left, has changed ownership once again and this time, the new owners have changed its name. But much to the chagrin of Aladdin Jr. owner Kal Halik, the new Palms Palace also serves a near identical menu of kabobs, hummus and hookah.

Meanwhile, Competitive Edge has moved shop to Foothill and Ramona, as stated in today's business page article. Owner Mark Ceccarelli said the property manager raised his rent a whopping 40 percent.

I could not get additional information on this alleged rent hike. When I called the property manager, he said, "I decline to comment and I would like to discontinue this call." (Click.)