Sushi Teri Teppan House Opening Soon on Daily Drive in Camarillo

Final Update 5/13/13: Sushi Teri Teppan House in Camarillo opened its doors to the public today.

Update 4/30/13: Sounds like Sushi Teri Camarillo will be opening sometime in the next few weeks according to the person that answered their phone at 805.389.5455.

Original post 3/21/13:

In the space previously occupied by Yamato at 1901 East Daily Drive in Camarillo there is a sign that says a new sushi bar is coming to town...Sushi Teri Teppan House. Great news!

Yamato closed its doors last summer but left behind quite a nice, large rotating sushi bar (in fact, this easily the longest rotaing sushi conveyor belt i've seen in 30 years of sushi consumption) and teppan restaurant.

No word yet as of opening date but they have applied for onsite beer and wine sales, which is a requirement in my book when consuming sushi and teppan grilled food at night (at lunch...for me...not so much...I'd need a nap afterwards).

My gut tells me this Sushi Teri is connected to the Sushi Teri restaurants in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria and Lompoc. In fact, I would place money on it. More on Sushi Teri at sushiteri.com.

Shave It Looks To Be Opening a New Location in Camarillo

Given the photos below, it would appear that a Shave It frozen treat location will be located at 455 Carmen Drive, Camarillo, in what used to be Cucina Isabella. I contacted Shave It Thousand Oaks and they did not have any specifics at this point...probably because Shave It franchises other locations.

The original Shave It opened in 2006 and has been a personal favorite for me and my family. I love the Hawaiian style shave ice and enjoy it with ice cream on the inside and the "sourade" powder on the outside. Yes, I risk becoming diabetic due to you, Shave It, but it's worth it! :) Stay tuned. It's good that a 24 Hour Fitness is located next to the new Camarillo Shave It, isn't it...?

And of course...for over 80 places around Ventura County specializing in satisfying our frozen sugar teeth cravings with frozen yogurt, ice cream and other ice cold treats, check out this list.

Kids Bowl Free This Summer at Various Ventura County Bowling Centers!

Here's a great summer deal that will bowl you over! Bowling alleys across the country are offering Kids Bowl Free deals. Up to two games per kid on designated days and times, subject to lane availability. The deal also does not apply to parties, camps and other organized events. And lastly, the deal does not include bowling shoe rental. With no further ado, here are local alleys in Ventura County and nearby areas that are participating in Kids Bowl Free!

NOTE: You first must visit www.kidsbowlfree.com and register with specific bowling alleys. After registering your children, you will receive coupons via email or through mobile devices, and in turn redeem them at the time of purchase. In addition to the 2 FREE Games, you may be able toi purchase a family package (at participating centers) and generally must pay for standard shoe rental rates at the time of bowling.

Harley's Camarillo and Harley's Simi Bowling alleys offer Kids Bowl Free Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm for kids 18 and under, from April 1st to August 31st.

Buena Lanes in Ventura is offering Kids Bowl Free 7 days a week to kids 18 and under April 1st to September 1st. Hours vary.

Canoga Park Bowl offers Kids Bowl Free April 15th to September 29th from 9am-8pm 7 days a week. Ages 15 and under.

Zodo's Bowling and Beyond in Santa Barbara offers Kids Bowl Free May 20th to September 15, 7 days a week to kids 17 and under. Hours vary.

Click this link to pin down information about all the local Ventura County area bowling alleys.

Thousand Oaks Police Department Says To Be Aware of Coupon Book Scam

Here is a "City Watch" alert from the Thousand Oaks Police Department. If you would like these updates directly from via email, click here for more information.

"The Coupon Book Scam"

A solicitor was selling a coupon book for $80.00 to benefit the local Boys and Girls Club. The female told the victim that if he purchased the book, he would need to go to the local Boys and Girls Club to pick up the coupon book. The victim wrote a check to a company called “La Familia Management Company” and was given a receipt with an address out of Aurora, Illinois.

The victim went to the Boys and Girls Club with his receipt only to find out he had been a victim of a scam.  The Camarillo Boys and Girls Club is not selling coupon books nor have they authorized anyone to sell coupon books on their behalf. 

If you have been a victim of this scam or have any information relating to this scam, please contact the Thousand Oaks Police Department to report the information.

City of T.O. Permit (example)The Thousand Oaks Police Department would like to remind citizens that solicitors are required to have valid solicitor permits in their possession, and to ask the solicitor to see their permit which is issued by the city of Thousand Oaks. The Thousand Oaks regulatory permit is shown to the right as an example.

If the solicitor cannot provide the permit or you are not sure if the permit is authentic please contact The Thousand Oaks Finance Division at (805) 449-2201 between the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.  If the solicitor is acting in a suspicious manner or you are unable to verify the permit through the city, please call our dispatch center at 805-654-9511 to have a deputy respond and investigate.

4th Surf'N Yogurt Location Coming Soon...to Mission Oaks Plaza in Camarillo

We are not lacking for frozen yogurt options throughout Ventura County as there are around 80 fro-yo, ice cream, gelato and other frozen treat places around town.

While we've seen some turnover recently with several local Golden Spoon closing in Agoura and Newbury Park, new places keep popping up. Apparently our appetite for frozen yogurt is unsatiable!

Surf'N Yogurt is opening a 4th location "soon" in Camarillo at the Mission Oaks Plaza at the corner of Mission Oaks Blvd and Woodcreek Road. Location is adjacent (to the right) of Mission Oaks Cafe. Surf'N Yogurt currently has 2 locations in Ventura and 1 in Santa Paula.

To learn more about their flavors and locations, visit www.surfnyogurt.com.

Ceramics Studio in Oxnard is New; Ceramics Studio in Camarillo is Adieu

Recently, Paintin' Place vacated its location at 330 N. Lantana in Camarillo in the Paseo Camarillo Shopping Center. Sorry to see them go. In the meantime, a new Color Me Mine Paint it Yourself Pottery location opened at The Collection at Riverpark in Oxnard last November. So net/net we are "even" in terms of paint-your-own-pottery places around town.

Click the image for a link to various ceramics studios in and around Ventura County.

Grand Opening of Freedom Park Baseball Complex in Camarillo on February 2nd

The 34 acre Freedom Park is located adjacent to the Camarillo Airport. The new Freedom Park Baseball Complex features lighted baseball fields - 4 youth and 1 adult. Also at the park is the Freedom Park BMX Raceway, a dirt track open for BMX racing and practice. For those who like to race remote control cars there are dirt and asphalt tracks available at the Freedom Park R/C Track. The Freedom Park In-Line Hockey Rink is the place to be if roller hockey is your thing. Lastly, Freedom Park has picnic tables, BBQ grills, horseshoe pits, a playground, and restrooms.

On Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 10am, Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District is hosting a grand opening events form the new baseball complex. To learn more, visit www.pvrpd.org/parks/active/freedom.asp or call 805.482.1996.

Johnny Rockets in Agoura Hills Closed Its Doors on December 3, 2012

The Johnny Rockets (formerly) located at 5015 Cornell Road in Agoura Hills closed its doors on December 3, 2012. This is the second Johnny Rockets in the Conejo Valley to shut down during 2012, following closure of The Oaks Mall location early in the year.

HOWEVER...not to worry, the location re-opened within a week as the Agoura Hills Diner!!

This leaves us with a total of zero Conejo Valley Johnny Rockets. However, there are still two other local Johnny Rockets locations: at The Promenade section of the Camarillo Premium Outlets and the other at The Commons at Calabasas.

One thing to note for Johnny Rockets and movie fans is that both of these locations currently offer a "Movie and a Meal" deal. Buy a regular entree and drink and you can purchase a discounted movie ticket at the Edwards Camarillo Palace Stadium 12 and Edwards Calabasas Stadium 6 near each location. For example, at the Camarillo Johnny Rockets, they will sell you a movie ticket for $7.50, saving $3 off of a regular adult movie ticket of $10.50. At the Calabasas location, they currently sell movie tickets for $7.75, saving you nearly $5 off tickets normally priced up to $12.50.

Love Phò N' Mor Opened in Camarillo in Mid-September

We announced in mid-July 2012 that the Basil & Mint Vietnamese Cafe would be opening later this year, and it did, on November 10th. Somehow, though, we missed yet another new phò (pronounced "fuh" according to my more learned Vietnamese noodle devouring friends) restaurant opening in Camarillo.

Love Phò N' Mor opened in mid-September at 341 Arneill Road and serves up a nice range of Vietnamese cuising. Nice looking inside too based on photos on their Facebook page. This is a sister restaurant to Phò Oxnard at 722 N. Ventura Road.

I've now been to Love Phò N' Mor and it was great! That's phò sure!

Sharky's Appears to Be Making Their Way to the Camarillo Town Center Shopping Center

Update 12/11/12: Sharky's Woodfired Mexican Grill at Target Shopping Center, 191 W. Ventura Blvd, Camarillo, is now open! (805) 322-1441

Update 12/4/12: Still no specific date on the grand opening of the Camarillo Sharky's but the signs are up and the insides of the restaurant are starting to look really nice! Perhaps they will mention the grand opening on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SharkysSocial.

Posted 5/2/12: The space previously occupied by Boston Market at the Camarillo Town Center Shopping Center has been vacant for nearly 3 years now. So it surprised me that out of the blue there wa

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Will the City of Camarillo be Seeing Its First Vietnamese Restaurant?

Update 11/8/12: Grand opening of Basil & Mint Vietnamese Pho Restaurant is Saturday, November 10th. Free soft drinks that day! Call 805.482.9993 for more information. Hours are 10:30 am to 9pm.  READ MORE ABOUT BASIL & MINT HERE!

Update 10/9/12: Looks like we will soon be seeing the Basil & Mint Vietnamese Cafe at 350 North Lantana Street in Camarillo. This sign was seen there today.

Originally posted 7/18/12:

Quick Update: Reader Jason has pointed out that this would not be the "first" Vietnamese restaurant in Camarillo as there was previously one in the Smart and Final shopping center. Thanks for pointing that out, Jason! Appreciate keeping me honest! :>

Hmm, we shall see. But from the looks of this Public Notice of Application to Sell Alcoholic Beverages at 350 North Lantana Street in Camarillo (same plaza as Cronies, Peking Inn, Bobbies, Jersey Mikes) there appears to be a distinct possibility. I am not aware of any other Vietnamese restaurants in Camarillo proper.

The name on the notice is Basil & Mint Vietnamese Cafe. Already sounds pretty good to me.  Their license to sell on-site beer and wine is pending. Let's hope they are successful and open a new restaurant in this space previously occupied for many, many years by The Crab House, which closed its doors in 2009, followed for a short stint by Chevere.

Other than the sign on door, I have no further information. So stay tuned...if you have any leads, contact us to fill us all in!

Grand Opening of the Springville Dog Park in Camarillo on Friday, September 28th

The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District & Friends of Camarillo Dog Parks celebrates the Grand Opening of Springville Dog Park at 801 Via Zamora, Camarillo on Friday, September 28th from 5:30-6:30pm. All people and pooches are invited.

The event will begin with a ribbon cutting followed by light refreshments and treats for humans and pups alike.  Bring the whole family for a fun evening at the new Springville Dog Park!

Donate to Springville Dog Park! Purchase an engraved DONOR BRICK to show your support and pave the dog park entrance. Buy a brick for your favorite dog or dog owner as a gift!  What a great gift to give to any dog lover you know?  Your donation will support your local dog park and be memorialized with a personalized brick.  Learn more at www.camarillodogparks.com

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There are Eight Subway Stores in Camarillo; Why Not Make It Nine?

Originally posted in May...updated 7/7/12: I've discovered that the Subway on Daily Drive about a mile east of this new location has been closed. So it would appear that the number of Subway stores in Camarillo will remain at eight. Yes, news that makes you snooze...here on CVG.

At 389 Carmen Drive, Camarillo (in the Carmen Plaza...or perhaps better known at the Big Lots/Trader Joe's Plaza) there's a large "Subway Opening Soon" sign up. This spot was previously occupied by Polar Bears Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt and Yogreens. This would make 9 Subways in Camarillo. Previously a Quizno's was located in the adjacent space that is now occupied by GNC. Musical stores?

And next door I see a Sports Clips is coming, which will be the 2nd Sports Clips in Ventura County (the other one is in Newbury Park, on Wendy Drive near the Fresh & Easy).

Yamato Camarillo is Closed-Doh!

This past week, Yamato Restaurant at 1901 East Daily Drive in Camarillo closed its doors.

There is a sign on the front door thanking us for our patronage and directing customers to its Encino location. This was quite a large restaurant, kind of dark and slightly dreary, yet a friendly feel with cheerful wait staff and having one of the largest sushi conveyor belts I've ever seen...larger than the one at Cho Cho San's in Thousand Oaks.

The Yamato revolving sushi bar fully stocked with salmon with no customers in sight :<

Trivia time: What restaurant occupied this space prior to Yamato? I believe that would be Tony Roma's.

New Springville Drive Interchange on 101 Freeway in Camarillo Opened June 8th

The City of Camarillo recently completed construction of the new Springville Drive/U.S. 101 Freeway Interchange Project and the interchange opened on June 8, 2012.

The project constructed a new interchange on U.S. 101 between Las Posas Road and Central Avenue. In addition to constructing a new bridge and freeway ramps, the project also extended Springville Drive and Ponderosa Drive to provide access to the new interchange and to Ventura Boulevard.

Springville Drive Exit Driving West on the 101And but of course Springville Exit Driving East on the 101. We've gotcha covered bi-directionally here on Conejo Valley Guide :>

The interchange will provide for future development of the area consistent with the City’s previously adopted General Plan, Air

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Thrifty Ice Cream Brings Me Memories of My Childhood

I recently stopped by the Las Posas Car Wash, 100 South Las Posas Road, and noticed something new...Thrifty Ice Cream!

The last time I was there I believe they were serving up Haagen Dazs. Thrifty, which is also available at most Rite Aid Stores (and there are currently 16 of them in Ventura County and adjacent cities), is a local brand that goes back over 70 years. It was first produced in Hollywood in 1940 and since 1976 has been manufactured in El Monte. Mmmm...always loved Thrifty Ice Cream at Thrifty Drug Stores.

A single scoop at the car wash is $1.69, which is reasonable enough...though I seem to recall a scoop costing about a quarter or so back in the day. Am I getting old or what!

The French Bulldog Bistro & Lounge in Camarillo Opening Thursday, March 15th

JJ Brewsky's in Old Town Camarillo is currently in renovation to re-open as The French Bulldog Bistro & Lounge next weekend! Specifically, the new owner indicates they will be opening on Thursday, March 15th and reservations are currently being taken via email. (See The French Bulldog Facebook page for details.) The French Bulldog is a gastro-tavern serving a new selection of martinis, specialty drinks, beers and food by Chef Gael Lecolley! Their website is www.thefrenchbulldogbistro.com and phone is (same as JJ's) 805.482.5249. Should be fun to check it out!

Anyone else noticing the clear trend in gastro pubs and taverns around town!? Brendan's Pub in Camarillo and more recently in Agoura Hills, The Tipsy Goat and The Mermaid Tavern in Thousand Oaks, Ladyface Alehouse and The Lab Brewing Company in Agoura, the new Cronies location in Newbury Park (also in Simi, Ventura and Camarillo), The Kitchen in Downtown Oxnard and more. Bottom line: Beer is recession-proof!

Is a Walmart Store Coming to Camarillo?

Hmm, perhaps we'll be seeing Walmart in Camarillo. Not certain, but there's a sign, literally, that might indicate something is in the works.

This sign is posted on the window of the long-vacant Linens and Things that was located in the Camarillo Town Shopping Center at 275 W. Ventura Boulevard.

According to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control website, Walmart Stores Inc. applied for a license to sell beer, wine and distilled spirits for consumption off premises. This could indicate Walmart may be interested in opening a store at that location.

But wait, this location is about 36,000 sq ft, a small fraction of the size of a typical Walmart Discount Store or Supercenter. Hmm, well Walmart does have nearly 170 Walmart Neighborhood Markets that according to Walmart "offer a quick and convenient shopping experience for customers who need groceries, pharmaceuticals, and general merchandise all at our famous Every Day Low Prices." The typical store size is 42,000 sq ft.

Would be great to see that space filled with something permanent! Let's wait and see. In the meantime, there are still Walmart stores in Oxnard (2001 N. Rose Avenue) and Simi Valley (255 Cochran Street).

This is the old "Linens and Things" site in question, sandwiched between Ross and Target on the east and Staples and Sports Authority on the west.

Four Tailgate Thefts Reported to Camarillo Police Department Yesterday

Last night (12/6/11), the Camarillo Police Department received calls from 4 victims who reported the tailgates on their trucks had been stolen. One of the trucks was a GMC and the other 3 were Dodges. The thefts occurred in the Mission Oaks area of Camarillo.

 

Stealing a tailgate can be done very quickly, especially if the tailigate is left down. A quick search of the internet can show anyone how to remove a tailgate in less than 15 seconds.

 

Tailgate thefts are a not a new crime, however with internet sites such as Craigslist and ebay, it is easier for thieves to sell the tailgates they steal.

 

If you are a truck owner, there are various companies that sell devices that can assist you in securing your taiigate. It can cost $1000 or more to replace a tailgate so making sure your tailigate is secure should be something for you to consider as a truck owner.

Camarillo Drive-Thru Chick-fil-A Decision to Be Appealed at City Council Meeting Tonight

Update 11/3/11: City Council upheld the Planning Commission's denial of a Chick-fil-A drive-thru at the Camarillo Premium Outlets. Hey Chick-fil-A, we love ya! How about another location? Maybe Thousand Oaks!? :>

At a September 6, 2011 Camarillo Planning Commission meeting, Chick-fil-A was denied the approval to build a 4,670 sq ft drive-through location at The Promenade section of the Camarillo Premium Outlets. Although a number of attendees supported the Chick-fil-a at the meeting, including representatives from the Camarillo and Oxnard Chambers of Commerce and others in the community, the Planning Commission voted against the proposal by a 3 to 2 margin.

The primary reason for rejecting the application was that a The Promenade is not consistent with the specific plan for the area and is not a good fit for the location. Representatives from the adjacent Johnny Rockets were not in favor for the drive-thru because of concerns of auto exhaust fumes impacting diners in the outdoor patio area of their restaurant as well as potential traffic issues.

The decision was appealed and is being presented to the Camarillo City Council tonight. City Council will be asked to reaffirm the Planning Commission's denial by the city's Community Planning Department. Stop by if you are "hungering" for action. Most people I know love Chick-fil-A, including my family, and would love more locations other than the existing one in Oxnard. But I can see the potential concern for a drive-thru in that particular location.