Pedals & Pints Brewing Company Coming to The Oaks Mall in Early 2020 (Opening March 17th)

UPDATE: Pedals & Pints announced it will be opening on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th at 11am.

Amelia S once again gave us a heads up that something new is coming to The Oaks mall this Fall in the former home of Red Lobster in the east parking lot between The Olive Garden and Bank of America.

Pedals & Pints Brewing Company is a bicycle themed 10bbl brew pub, according to its Instagram page.

Stay tuned! Sign up for email updates at www.pedalsandpintsbrewing.com.

Grocery Outlet Bargain Market to Open New Simi Valley Store on Thursday, May 30th

GROCERY OUTLET BARGAIN MARKET TO OPEN NEWEST STORE IN SIMI VALLEY

Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, extreme-value grocery retailer, is opening a new store in Simi Valley on Thursday, May 30th, creating 29 new jobs in the community.

Following the grand opening ceremony at 8:55 a.m., a donation will be presented on behalf of Grocery Outlet to The Samaritan Center of Simi Valley at 11 a.m. The amount that shoppers saved on their grocery purchases during the store’s first hour of operation will determine the donation amount.

The first 200 customers of the day will also receive Grocery Outlet BlissBucks ranging from $5 to $200. All shoppers will receive a free reusable bag, while supplies last.

Extreme-value grocery retailer Grocery Outlet, based in Emeryville, CA, offers big savings on brand name products every day, at more than 300 locations in California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington. Grocery Outlet carries a full range of products from fresh produce, meat, deli and dairy to a wide assortment of natural and organic choices. They also offer a large selection of beer and wine, health and beauty care, as well as seasonal items.

Heather and David Rodriguez, the Simi Valley store’s independent owner-operators, invite the community to attend the grand opening celebration on Thursday, May 30, beginning at 8:55 a.m.

Enter for a chance to win FREE Groceries for 1 year!

From May 30 through June 27, customers may enter for a chance to win a grand prize of Free Groceries for 1 Year! ($100 per month for one year, a $1,200 value). The grand prize drawing will take place at the end of the day on Thursday, June 27, at the Simi Valley Grocery Outlet. (Must be 18 years of age or older. One entry per person, per day. No purchase necessary. Winner need not be present to win but must claim the prize within three days of notification or another winner will be chosen. No cash value and no substitutions.)

Simi Valley Grocery Outlet is located at 2974 Cochran Street, Units K and L.

Black Bear Diner Simi Valley Anticipates Grand Opening in Late May 2019 (May 28th)

UPDATE: There’s a sign on the front door indicating they are opening on May 28th.

A clear indication of things to come at the future home of Black Bear Diner Simi Valley.

I’m not going to hold my breath on this date as we’ve been reporting on the anticipated Black Bear Diner Simi Valley since May of last year, but Black Bear Diner corporate offices indicates an anticipated grand opening date of May 27th for the new location at 2022 First Street, next to Smashburger, at Los Angeles Avenue.

While it may or may not be the exact date, construction is definitely moving along. And there are multiple bear sightings at the site. And lastly, Simi Valley is listed in the Locations section of the Black Bear Diner section of the site at blackbeardiner.com/locations.

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.

Moorpark College Offers PACE - A Degree Program for Busy Adults

Moorpark College recently started offering degree programs for busy adults that includes a mix of fully online and Saturday classes.

PACE enables students to complete an Associate degree in Business Administration or Early Childhood Education in about two years.

PACE students take two courses every eight weeks. Most courses are offered either 100 percent online or in a hybrid format (part of the course is online but will also include some face-to-face meetings on Saturday mornings).

Once you complete your Associate degree, you have the option to pursue your Bachelor’s degree at one of our transfer partner Universities that also have programs built for busy adults, including CSU Channel Islands, Cal Lutheran University and more.

Learn more at www.moorparkcollege.edu/departments/student-services/pace.

Baja Fresh Thousand Oaks to Close Its Doors at the End of May (May 30th)

Several folks reached out to let us know that Baja Fresh #50, opened in January 1999 at 595 North Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks will be closing at the end of this month.

UPDATE: Thursday, May 30th is the final day this Baja Fresh will be open.

There were no apparent signs of this happening at Baja Fresh - no signs, no social media mentions - but I was hungry tonight and decided to stop by for a burrito. Burrito Mexicano and chips in hand, it was then that I confirmed with staff that Baja Fresh #50 would indeed be closing by the end of this month.

It is a sad moment for me as, having lived and raising kids in the Conejo Valley for decades, Baja Fresh has been a mainstay, albeit less so in recent years,

The very first Baja Fresh opened in the Kimber Plaza in Newbury Park in 1990. It subsequently relocated to The Village at Newbury Park (near Home Depot), where after a number of years, closed its doors on January 10, 2012.

From what I gathered from staff, Cafe Rio Mexican Grill is looking to open in this spot. While I have not independently confirmed this, I do know that Cafe Rio is currently hiring restaurant managers for its new Thousand Oaks location. www.caferio.com

Matcha Tea and Boba Coming Soon to Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks (NOW OPEN)

UPDATE 6/19/19: Now open!

Photo Credit: Kira Krukowski

As previously noted, a new tea and boba place called Matcha is coming soon to Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks in the space previously occupied by Poke Tiki.

We will be on the Whatcha for Matcha in the coming weeks and months.

Poke Tiki at Janss Marketplace Closed Its Doors on April 19th

Poke Tiki at Janss Marketplace closed its doors on April 19th, just under two years from the day it opened. Previously in that space was Salad Gourmet from 2013 to 2016 and before that, it was Burger King.

The sign on the door says “there will be new and exciting things coming.” The Janss website indicates an eatery called "Matcha" is coming to the Marketplace. We shall see.

Tsuki Ramen Now Open in Westlake Village

Tsuki Ramen now open in Westlake Village in former home of Aroha, across from Lure Fish House. Located at 30990 Russell Ranch Road, Suite C. 818-851-9196

Open daily at 11 am until 9pm; 9:30pm Fri/Sat as we really like to party late here on weekend nights in the Conejo Valley :)

The Grill by Green Acres to Close Its Doors on Sunday, April 28th

Five hours ago, the following message was posted to The Grill by Green Acres Facebook Page, much to the disappointment of hundreds of local residents:

“Regretfully, after only one year, The Grill by Green Acres will be closing its doors on Sunday, April 28th. We are very grateful to our employees and customers who have supported us during this year and we hope to see you one last time. It is very difficult to express the heartache and sadness that we are going through.

Green Acres Farm Market and Catering has served the community of Simi Valley for 50 years and will continue to operate as usual.

Any gift cards from The Grill by Green Acres will be honored at Green Acres Farm Market and Catering.

Thank you very much for your patronage, your encouragement, and your friendship.

As noted, this will not impact the Green Acres Farm Market and Catering.

www.thegrillbygreenacres.com

www.facebook.com/pg/thegrillbygreenacres

www.simigreenacres.com