New McDonald's to Open Soon on Riverpark Blvd in Oxnard - Are You Loving It?

On a recent visit to The Collection at RiverPark we noticed a new McDonald's under construction on the southwest corner of Riverpark Boulevard and East Vineyard Avenue in Oxnard. The actual address is 110 Riverpark Boulevard, though on the map that address is shown about four blocks east of this intersection...apparently Google Maps is slightly off.

In any case, look for this 8th Oxnard McDonald's location to be opening sometime soon. There are approximtely 25 McDonald's locations in Ventura County, including nearby Westlake Village and Agours Hills. More on this location at www.mcstate.com/35319.

Lamppost Pizza in Moorpark Closed but Jax Pizza Opened Back in July

Having lost the Newbury Park Lamppost Pizza back in December 2011, on occasion we try to stop by the Westlake Village and Moorpark Lamppost Pizzas. But last weekend we discovered the Moorpark location is no longer there, and the space at 530 New Los Angeles Avenue is now occupied by Jax Pizza.

Upon further investigation, Lamppost Pizza Moorpark served its customers for the last time on July 21st, while Jax Pizza opened within a week as evidenced at www.facebook.com/JaxPizzaPlace.

Jax Pizza serves up pizza (duh!), sandwiches, salads, pastas, beer, wine and more. They also have Friday night karaoke. Visit jaxpizzaplace.com for more information or call 805.529.6220.

Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery Anticipates Opening This Month in Thousand Oaks

Back in July it was announced that the Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery was coming soon to Thousand Oaks in the former Mermaid Tavern (and of course Roxy's Deli before that) at 1345 Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

That opening date is near at hand...Monday, October 6th.

MOD Pizza Grand Opening in Newbury Park Set for Thursday, October 2nd

MOD PIZZA OPENS IN NEWBURY PARK 

The Original Superfast Pizza Continues California Expansion and Supports Local Cause

MOD Pizza will celebrate the grand opening of its Newbury Park store at The Village at Newbury Park, 1015 Broadbeck Drive, on Thursday, October 2nd.

There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:45pm and doors will open at 5:00pm. The first 52 guests will each enjoy a free individual, artisan-style pizza or hand-tossed salad, and the chance to win free pizza for a year. Additional giveaways and tastings will continue throughout the day. Visit modpizza.com/locations/newbury-park for more information.

As part of MOD’s ongoing effort to “Spread MODness,” 100% of all opening day sales will be donated to the Sequoia Middle School Boys & Girls Club to support their mission to guide youth within the Newbury Park community towards academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. 

MOD’s individual artisan-style pizzas are made on demand, using organic fresh-pressed dough and signature sauces. Guests can create their own pizzas and salads, using any combination of 30 featured toppings, or they can choose from a menu of MOD classics. Pizzas and salads are the same price regardless of the number of toppings. Pizzas are hand-cooked in an 800 degree oven in less than 3 minutes and salads are hand-tossed in front of the customer. MOD also serves local draft beers, wine, handspun milkshakes, and house-made lemonades and iced teas.

MOD currently operates 21 stores in Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona and Colorado, with more than 30 stores slated to open across eight markets by the end of 2014.

Seattle based MOD Pizza was founded in 2008 by Scott and Ally Svenson, and was inspired by the couple’s love of Italian street-style pizza, their desire for authentic, affordable and fast dining options for their busy family and the idea that a great company could be built around people. Above all, MOD is about putting people first – both guest and team members - and is striving to redefine the fast food experience.

World Record LEGO Chain Event in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, September 27th

World Record LEGO Chain Event is taking place on Saturday, September 27th from 9 AM - 4 PM at Thousand Oaks City Hall.

We are attempting to break the Guinness Book of World Records by building the World Longest LEGO Chain. We need your help to do it.  We have over 100,000 LEGO bricks and need some families who love building with LEGOs to help us build it.

This charity event is a collaboration between the Conejo Recreation & Park District, Rotary International, and Play-Well TEKnologies to raise money to build a state of the art special needs playground at Old Meadows Park in Thousand Oaks.

By signing up to help build the world's longest LEGO chain, you will help bring this playground to the community.  To learn more and to register (only $5/participant), visit bit.ly/WorldLongestLEGOChainEvent

Cronies Sports Grill to Open Its New Location in Agoura Hills on September 11

Update 9/11/14: Cronies Agoura Hills announced on its Facebook page yesterday that it is opening its doors today, September 11, 2014, at 3pm at 5687 Kanan Road.

Original Post 4/21/14: Thanks to a tip from a CVG follower, we've learned that Cronies Sports Grill will be opening its fifth location in Agoura Hills on the corner of Kanan and Thousand Oaks Boulevard in the location most recently occupied by Angel Cafe. This was confirmed by a call to Cronies, indicating they are targeting a July/August grand opening date.

Cronies has operated in Ventura County for over 23 years, currently with locations in Camarillo, Ventura, Simi Valley and Newbury Park (which has now been open over 3 years...my how time flies!). Cronies is known for outstanding, icy cold 20 oz beer schooners and great burgers, sandwiches and salads. I'm a fan of their curly fries. And always friendly service in all locations.

JOi Cafe is Now Open in Westlake Village

Update 9/5/14: The JOi Cafe announced they are now open.

Driving around town the other day I came across this "coming soon" sign for the JOi Cafe at 2855 Agoura Road, Westlake Village (formerly home to the Wicked Way Cafe) in the Village Glen Plaza, next door to Westlake Florist.

According to its website at joicafe.com and its Facebook page, JOi CAFÉ will emphasize healthy, whole food, plant-based choices that are convenient, taste amazing, and fuel the body and the mind, with breakfast, lunch and early dinner options.

JOi CAFÉ will offer real, healthy, organic and plant-based foods, custom energy bars, Joi drinks and counseling. JOi CAFÉ will provide the encouragement needed for people wanting to change or better their lives by offering a delicious, healthy, meal designed for the athlete and the average person, just looking for a quick breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Nekter Juice Bar Opened in Westlake Village on Friday, August 29th

Nekter Juice Bar celebrated its grand opening last Friday, August 29th in the North Ranch Mall at 3835 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Unit H, Westlake Village. This used to be a Robek's Juice location. Nekter serves up green juice blends, raw nut milks and smoothies, along with healthy, raw, gluten free and vegan snacks. Learn more at nekterjuicebar.com.

MOD Pizza is Coming to The Village at Newbury Park This Summer

Final Update: Grand opening date is 5pm on Thursday, October 2nd.

Update 9/2/14: We are now looking at the October 2014 time frame for the grand opening. The MOD Pizza Newbury Park website is modpizza.com/locations/newbury-park.

Posted 5/15/14: MOD Pizza is coming to The Village at Newbury Park, 1015 Broadbeck Drive, Suite G, this summer, I'm told in the August time frame.

MOD Pizza serves up individualized artisan-style, thin crust pizzas. Customers can design their own pizzas or select from a menu of MOD favorites. Three sizes of pizzas, all priced the same regardless of toppings. The handcrafted pizzas are then fired in an 800 degree display oven and ready to eat in less than 3 minutes. MOD also offers a selection of salads along with craft draft and bottled beer, wine, pizza knots and milkshakes.

What does MOD stand for? "Made on Demand" come on you knew that :)

This location was previously occupied by Baja Fresh before it closed on January 10, 2012. Pizza is a nice addition to the mix at this location, which includes Ranch Hand BBQ, Daphne's California Greek, The Habit Burger, Subway, Presto Pasta, Jamba Juice, Flame Broiler, Chipotle, Islands, Starbucks and Tutti Frutti.

This will be the first MOD Pizza location in Ventura County. MOD Pizza opened in Valencia and Irvine in the latter part of 2013. A North Hollywood location is also in the works.

MOD Pizza joins other "make your own' pizzerias that recently opened in the area, including Pieology Pizzeria in Thousand Oaks and PizzaRev in Oxnard last summer.

Learn more about MOD Pizza at modpizza.com or visit the Newbury Park location page at modpizza.com/locations/newbury-park for updates.