Drive-Thru Starbucks on South Westlake Boulevard in Westlake Village is Now Open

The new drive-thru Starbucks at 925 South Westlake Boulevard is now open. Cisco's was the previous occupant of this address, before closing in February 2018. Also new here are the NU Med Spa and First Bank.

In a trend we’ve been seeing since 2013, this drive-thru Starbucks opened and a nearby Starbucks that was not a drive-thru closed. In this case, the long-time store between Sharky’s and Yogurtland at the southwest corner of Thousand Oaks and Westlake Boulevards closed.

The Starbucks at The Village at Newbury Park relocated across the parking lot to a new drive-thru location in January 2013.

The drive-thru Starbucks at the corner of Thousand Oaks Blvd and Rancho Road opened in March 2013. This was a new Starbucks, not a “replacement” Starbucks.

The drive-thru Starbucks at Janss Marketplace (where Hooters formerly resided) opened in January 2021, replacing the long-time Starbucks a block away.

The drive-thru Starbucks at the southwest corner of Thousand Oaks Blvd and Auto Mall drive opened in February 2018.

It’s always fun and a bit predictable what the response will be when we post update about a new Starbucks opening. About 50% of the comments are anti-Starbucks and the other half are either half are happy about it or ambivalent. One thing’s for sure, Starbucks never seems lacking for customers.

Pokitomik Now Open in the Paseo Market Place in Thousand Oaks

UPDATE: Pokitomik opened in mid-November.

Pokitomik will be opening soon at the Paseo Market Place, 3679 Thousand Oaks Blvd (Stonefire Grill/Melting Pot), Thousand Oaks.

Pokitomik will offer poke burritos, bowls and tacos and if you check out their menu at www.pokitomik.com/menu it looks fantastic.

The Simi Valley location at 3068 Cochran opened late last year. Stay tuned.

Mad Era Brewing Company Still Plans to Open Soon in Simi Valley!

UPDATE 9/15/22: Still not open but a week ago they indicated “soon” on their Facebook page. As they say…patience is a virtue :)

In July 2018, Mad Era Brewing Co., to be located in the former Marie Callender’s at 20 W. Cochran Street (at Madera) in Simi Valley, gave indications they would be opening in the fall of that year.

Here we are, fall of 2021, Mad Era is getting quite close to that day.. Earlier this month, they posted photos of brewing tanks being installed. In June they posted photos of new landscaping being planted. In May they installed new HVAC equipment and exhaust fans.

For updates, follow their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MadEraBrewing.

COMPILATION OF OTHER LOCAL BREWPUBS AROUND VENTURA COUNTY

Viet Kitchen Opening Soon at The Village at Newbury Park (Soft Opening October 18th)

UPDATE 10/14/21: Viet Kitchen has a sign up indicating soft opening on Monday, October 18th. More about Viet Kitchen Newbury Park at vietkitchennewbury.com.

ORIGINAL POST 4/12/21: Viet Kitchen is coming soon to the former home of The Flame Broiler at The Village at Newbury Park, 1025 Broadbeck Drive. Thanks to Christine K C pho the heads up!

Black Bear Diner Coming to City of Ventura in January 2022

OPENED IN JANUARY 2022

Black Bear Diner is opening its 2nd Ventura County location at 2401 E. Harbor Blvd in Ventura in January 2022. The first Black Bear Diner in Ventura County opened in Simi Valley on May 28, 2019.

Founded in 1995, Black Bear Diner is a fast-growing family restaurant serving home-style comfort food classics at over 110 locations. Breakfast is served all day, including omelettes and scrambles, classic 2-egg combos like chicken fried steak and thick-cut smoked bacon, pancakes, waffles and French toast and other items. Lunch includes burgers, sandwiches, salads and other specialties. Dinner items include a number of down home favorites like Housemade Meatloaf and Slow-Cooked Pot Roast, steaks, chicken and waffle, etc. Learn more at blackbeardiner.com.

Follow the Black Bear Diner (Ventura) Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BlackBearDinerVentura for updates.

Carrow’s Ventura closed in June 2019 - soon to be Black Bear Diner.

The Stand is Coming Soon to the Former Home of Pitfire Pizza in Westlake Village (NOW OPEN)

UPDATE 2/15/22: The Stand Westlake Village opened today.

We got the scoop from Shannon A today that The Stand is “opening soon” at what used to be Pitfire Artisan Pizza at the Westlake Plaza, 980 South Westlake Boulevard in Westlake Village.

The Stand is a popular, growing chain of fast-casual eateries offering traditional American foods - burgers, sandwiches (they call them Standwiches), hot dogs and salads - with non-traditional flavor combinations.

This will be the first Ventura County location of The Stand, as the Westlake Plaza lies firmly in the section of Westlake Village that is part of Thousand Oaks in Ventura County (as opposed to the City of Westlake Village, which is part of Los Angeles County. (Yes, this is confusing, but EXPLAINED HERE.)

Learn more about The Stand at www.thestand.com.

Pitfire Pizza closed at the beginning of the pandemic. It opened its doors on August 2, 2015.

Azuki Boba & Tea Now Open at the North Ranch Mall in Thousand Oaks

Azuki Boba & Tea “soft opened” today at the North Ranch Mall (you know….the Trader’s Joe’s/Ralph’s/Petco mall) in Thousand Oaks at the northwest corner of Westlake and Thousand Oaks Boulevards in Thousand Oaks. Soft opening is September 26-30, during which drinks are half price! They are adding new drinks each day: Day 1 Classic Milk Teas, Day 2 Galaxy Series, Day 3 Fruit Lovers, Day 4 Matcha & Latte and Day 5 House Specials.

Their Instagram page is @azukibobatea.

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Selvin's Restaurant & Lounge Coming in 2024 to the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park

UPDATE 9/24/23: Selvin’s will be opening in 2024 - likely mid-June. JUNE 21ST Learn more at www.selvins.com.

UPDATE: Since this post in September 2021, the name of the eatery will now be called Selvin’s Restaurant & Lounge and is anticipated to open in early 2023. Visit selvins.com for updates.

Encore Kitchen & Bar is in process of being constructed in the former Brendan’s Pub at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park. Timing is TBA, though the hotel indicates sometime in 2021 at www.palmgardenhotel.com/dining. Encore will be serving California cuisine. Stay tuned…

Honey Cup Coffeehouse & Creamery to Open August 26th at The Village at Dos Vientos in Newbury Park

UPDATE: Honey Cup indicates it will be opening on Thursday, August 26th and will be offering free drip Lavazza coffee the 26th through the 29th, along with samples of some of their baked goods.

Photo courtesy of Grahame W.

Honey Cup Coffeehouse & Creamery is “coming soon” to The Village at Dos Vientos, 360 Via Las Brisas, #160 in Newbury Park. It will be located in the space formerly occupied by BeanoVino (closed in January 2020) and before that, Boney Mountain Coffee Co.

Honey Cup Coffeehouse has operated at the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard since 2014. They offer coffee, smoothies, their own 805 Creams ice cream and other snacks. Learn more at www.honeycupcoffeehouseca.com.