When Will the Amazon Fresh Stores Open in Westlake Village and Moorpark?

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UPDATE: Westlake Village / Thousand Oaks location to open on August 4, 2022.

Our friend Amelia S was the first to notice the sign on the former Vintage Grocers / Bristol Farms at The Promenade at Westlake on October 10, 2020 that Amazon Retail LLC had applied to transfer a liquor license to the entity, which led us to discover that an Amazon Fresh store would be occupying this spot in the future.

It is now mid-December 2021, one week before Christmas, 12 months later, and the store is still not open.

There are Amazon Fresh signs prominently displayed, so we suspect it will be happening at some point, perhaps in 2022.

Amazon Fresh is also opening a store at The Village at Moorpark, 742 New Los Angeles Avenue in what was previously a Staples. (UPDATE: THE MOORPARK STORE OPENED IN FEBRUARY 2022.)

They are currently hiring store associates and other positions for the Moorpark store starting at $15.85 per hour plus up to a $3,000 signing bonus. So it does sound like the Moorpark store is closer to opening than the Westlake Village store.

Learn more about Amazon Fresh at amazon.com/freshstores.

The Amazon Fresh signs have been up for awhile at the Moorpark location.

Rhineland Deli Thousand Oaks Relocating to New Location a Block Away

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Rhineland Deli will soon be relocating a block away to the Oak Leaf Square, 1817 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, near Winner's Pizza. I'm told they will be transitioning out of their current location in about a week and will target a mid-February reopening date at the new location. So you may want to stop by soon to get your fix of delicious German-style sandwiches before they temporarily close.

I’m also told, but have not confirmed, that they will be under new ownership.

They have a Facebook that’s not particularly active at www.facebook.com/RhinelandDeli.

Mimi's Cafe Building in Thousand Oaks Torn Down Today to Make Room for Amy's Drive-Thru

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Remnants of Mimi’s Cafe Thousand Oaks. (Photo Credit: Eric K. via Instagram)

Mimi’s Cafe on Moorpark Road at Brazil Street in Thousand Oaks said its final goodbyes today, as it was demolished to make room for the construction of Amy’s Drive-Thru.

This location and the Ventura location were closed back in February of this year.

The Thousand Oaks location had operated since at least 1998, giving it a lifespan of at least 23 years. That’s not a bad run for a restaurant operating in this day and age.

Mimi’s was co-founded by Arthur J. Simms, who flew spy missions for the U.S. Air Force out of London and into occupied France. Arthur was with Allied troops liberating a small French town near Versailles. The town celebrated and he me a beautiful French girl named Mimi. They fell in love, but the war pulled them apart.

Thirty years later, Arthur and his son Tom decided to develop a new restaurant, and the named it for Mimi. The Simms and two partners opened the first Mimi’s Cafe in Anaheim in 1978.

Today Mimi’s operates 48 locations in 12 states and the closest ones to Ventura County are in Chatsworth and Valencia.

Mimi’s had intentions to go public in 2004 but instead opted to be acquired for $103 million in cash and assumption of $79 million in debt by Bob Evans Farms Inc. At that time, there were 81 locations in 10 states, including 47 in California.

Le Duff America Inc., a Dallas-based subsidiary of French based Groupe Le Duff, purchased the Mimi’s chain from Bob Evans Farms in early 2013 for $50 million. It would appear that Bob Evans did not make a great investment. Mimi’s had grown to 145 locations in 24 states at the time. Perhaps they grew too fast.

In mid-2019, Le Duff decided to re-brand Mimi’s Cafe as Mimi’s Bistro & Bakery. The chain had shrunk back down to 77 locations by then. And today, as mentioned above, they are down to 48 locations.

The Le Duff America website mentions the purchase of Mimi’s Cafe in 2013 but otherwise, there is no mention of Mimi’s even in the listing of their brands. The trend does not appear to a friend to Mimi’s Bistro & Bakery but let’s hope for the best.

Mimi’s the night of the day it closed.

Ventura City Council Votes to Make "Main Street Moves" a More Permanent Downtown Attraction

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UPDATE: Ventura’s Main Street Moves is now extended to June 2024. Safely shop, sip, dine and stroll in the streets during Main Street Movies. More info at downtownventura.org/moves.

Ventura City Council moves toward making Main Street Moves a more permanent attraction in Downtown Ventura

The Ventura City Council voted 7-0 at its meeting on November 8 to make Main Street Moves long-term with a full closure of five blocks in Downtown Ventura, retaining the existing curb, gutter, and sidewalk configuration through a flexible design approach.

Discussions included maintaining a pedestrian-friendly area in keeping Main Street closed to traffic from San Buenaventura Mission to Fir Street, with an additional focus on potentially keeping California Street closed to traffic.

“During the pandemic, the City reimagined the use of public spaces and joined with Downtown Ventura Partners to launch Main Street Moves, which helped many local businesses not only survive but thrive,” said Mayor Sofia Rubalcava. “Thousands of people have expressed strong support for keeping streets closed and maintaining outdoor dining and shopping areas. It’s exciting to hear that kind of positive public response as we look at design, cost, and logistics for supporting a semi-permanent downtown street closure for Main Street Moves.”

Main Street Moves roadblock on California Street at Santa Clara Street in Downtown Ventura.

The design approach includes the installation of bollards at the intersections and furnishings that are removeable, allowing the modification of the closure as needed with the evolution of downtown and the needs of the space. The design would open back up the existing sidewalks, use the existing angled parking spaces for businesses to use for outdoor seating and dining in the form of parklets, and keep the existing travel lanes free and clear to accommodate delivery trucks, service vehicles, and emergency vehicles.

The City Council also voted to have City staff work with consultants to study traffic impacts, environmental impacts, obtain a bid for removable bollards, and design standards for the parklets, all which will guide the process to the full closure. Additionally, an appointed ad hoc committee will be created to focus on improvements and cohesive design to the Mission Park and Figueroa Plaza.

To encourage participation for both restaurants and retailers, staff will create a fee and lease structure for use of the public right of way space to support the activation of the street and have critical mass of participants.

In December 2021, the continuation or issuance of a new interim special use permit for Main Street Moves will be brought to City Council while staff finalizes the full closure program with the necessary studies. Main Street Moves currently operates under a Special Use Permit and Temporary Emergency Ordinance, which are set to expire on January 7, 2022.

Visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/OutdoorDiningProgram to learn more about Main Street Moves and view reports, and survey results.

Mai Thai Kitchen is Coming Soon to Newbury Park (NOW OPEN)

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UPDATE: Mai Thai Kitchen opened in May 2022. maithaikitchennewburypark.com

Mai Thai Kitchen is "coming soon" to the space formerly occupied by Tasty Shanghai Chinese Restaurant at 2397 Michael Drive in Newbury Park (near Stella's and Judy's Donuts). After they open, I’d like to order a Mai Thai Mai Tai in my tie. Now that would something.

Stay tuned. No other info at this point.

Five Below Store at Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks to Open on Friday, November 19, 2021

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UPDATE: Opening date pushed out one week, to November 19th.

The Five Below store at Janss Marketplace will be opening this Friday, November 12th. Five Below sells a variety of items for- you guessed it - $5 or less. learn more at fivebelow.com.

Rose's Garden Bar in Calabasas Now Open

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UPDATE: Rose’s Garden Bar opened in November 2022. Their menu includes salads, pizzas made with homemade dough (gluten-free is available), pastas, entrees such as Pan Roasted Salmon, Truffle Wagyu Burger and Braised Beef Short Rib, desserts and more. They also have a dog menu. www.rosesgardenbar.com

Rose's Garden Bar is opening in January 2022 (according to a post on their Instagram page) at The Summit at Calabasas, 26787 Agoura Road (at Lost Hills Road).

Updates at rosesgardenbar.com

King and Queen Cantina Coming Soon to The Collection at RiverPark (NOW OPEN)

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UPDATE: Now open as of December 8, 2022.

King and Queen Cantina is coming soon to The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard at the corner of Town Center Drive and Seaglass Way (across from REI).

King and Queen Cantina is a “modern Mexican cuisine eatery with a special twist” according to its Facebook page description, with locations in San Diego, Ensenada, Santa Monica and coming soon to West Hollywood, La Paz and New York (as well as this location).

Learn more at kingandqueencantina.com.