The Melt in Westlake Village Recently Closed

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CVG Facebook Follower Micki J tipped us off today that The Melt at The Promenade at Westlake closed its doors recently.  Now that was a surprise! The Melt opened to much fanfare on Monday, May 18th of this year, marking less than 7 1/2 months in business.

Sorry to hear the news, though if you look at the 65 Yelp reviews showing an aggregate rating of 2 1/2 stars, perhaps it is not a complete surprise. From a personal standpoint, I had mixed experiences at The Melt, some good, some not so good.

Regency Theater Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks is Closing Its Doors Tonight

Earlier this month we heard that the Regency Theater Janss Marketplace would be closing its doors after December 31st and today the theater confirmed this on their Facebook page. 

Rumor (unconfirmed) has it that another movie chain is moving in and doing significant upgrades. Regal has been mentioned by more than one CVG Facebook follower but again, this not confirmed. So...stay tuned...

For movie theaters throughout Ventura County, visit THIS LINK.

Gull Wings Children's Museum to Close on January 10 to Procure New Location

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Gull Wings Children’s Museum Board of Directors voted last week to close the 4th Street museum site in Oxnard on January 10, 2016, after 28 years in residence there to focus on procuring a new location to expand programming and exhibit space.

As a preview of exciting programs to come, the Museum will offer a special activity every day starting on December 22, 2015 with a 3D printing workshop where children can make
their own snowflakes (9am -1pm). On Wednesday, December 23rd, children will learn about matter with an “instant snow workshop” at the Museum. Please visit gullwings.org for the entire calendar of activities. There will be a community celebration on the last day at the current location, and all are welcome. New schedule of hours: 9am - 1pm Tuesday - Sunday.

Why is the 4th Street facility being closed? Throughout 2015, the Gull Wings' Board has been working towards expansion and development of the GWCM. The board has agreed that the current facility has stagnated progress and as a result, has decided to close the current location, but NOT the Museum.

The Board is now focused on the strategic mission and vision of GWCM and taking "Explore, Giggle, Grow" to a new level. The board would like to thank the residents of Oxnard and Ventura County for their continued support and invite them to soar with Gull Wings to a new location.

Immediate support for the move and continued programming can be made online or at the Museum. “Friends of Gull Wings” donation levels: 0 - $50 = egg; $51 - $100 = hatchling ; $250 nestling ; $500 fledgling ; $1000 seagull. 

The new permanent destination is in the process of being defined by the Board, and the Gull Wings website will be updated to share new information as it is confirmed. During this process, the Museum plans to develop mobile programs, a possible temporary location, and a continuing website and social media presence to continue Gull Wings’ mission of providing engaging experiences that excite the senses and inspire young minds to ask questions. Gull Wings Children’s Museum will continue its role as the premier children’s Museum in Ventura County cultivating empathy, imagination, creative expression, and inventive thinking in tomorrow’s mindful leaders.

County of Ventura Food Facility Closures in November 2015

The County of Ventura Environmental Health Division (EHD) protects public health and the environment by ensuring conformance with State laws and County ordinances pertaining to food protection, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, individual sewage disposal systems, land use, medical waste, ocean water quality monitoring, recreational health, solid waste, underground fuel tanks and vector control.

The EHD publishes food facility closures at www.ventura.org/rma/envhealth/community-services/consumer-food/closures.html.

The following closures were noted in November 2015. Keep in mind when reviewing this that there are many possible reasons for the closures, most of which are very temporary issues.

Marie Callender's, 1295 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura;

Sewage backing up inside the facility, cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 11/27/15; Date reopened - 11/30/15

Carl's Jr, 401 Las Posas Road, Camarillo;

Sewage backing up inside the facility, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 11/24/15; Date reopened - 11/24/15

El Taco, 1041 W. Wooley Road, Oxnard;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 11/24/15; Date reopened - 11/25/15

One Stop Market, 1061 W. Wooley Road, Oxnard;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 11/24/15; Date reopened - 11/30/15

Round Table Pizza, 4255 E. Main Street #8, Ventura;

No hot water available for utensil washing or hand washing;

Date closed - 11/19/15; Date reopened - 11/20/15

Tacos La Placita, 437 S. C Street, Oxnard;

Unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 11/19/15; Date reopened - 12/04/15

Anne's Donuts, 751 E. Ventura Street, Fillmore;

No hot water for utensil washing or hand washing, inoperable warewashing sink;

Date closed 11/17/15; Date reopened - 11/18/15

Grand Vista Hotel, (restaurant, bars, and banquet kitchen), 999 Enchanted Way, Simi Valley;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 11/17/15; Date reopened - 11/18/15

Wok N South Mongolian BBQ, 2835 E. Main St., Ventura;

Inoperable hand wash sink in the food preparation area; inoperable refrigeration;

Date closed - 11/12/15; Date reopened - 11/12/15

Cafe Topanga, 171 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 11/12/15; Date reopened - 11/14/15

Mc Donalds, 908 Ventura Street, Fillmore;

No hot water available at the facility for hand washing or utensil washing;

Date closed - 11/12/15; Date reopened 11/12/15

Smokin' Steve's, 1407 E. Los Angeles Avenue, #X, Simi Valley;

Inoperable mechanical exhaust ventilation above the cooking equipment;

Date closed - 11/10/15; No reopen date

The Lookout Bar & Grill, 2800 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard;

Hand wash sink was removed in the food preparation area resulting in no means to wash hands when preparing food, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 11/06/15; Date reopened - 11/07/15

Ameci's Pizza & Pasta, 1724 Avenida De Los Arboles, Thousand Oaks;

Improperly functioning refrigeration resulting in unsafe food temperatures and inadequate refrigeration;

Date closed - 11/02/15; Date reopened - 11/02/15

Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. Taproom Opening Friday, December 11th in Westlake Village

Update 12/3/15: The grand opening of Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. at The Shoppes at Westlake is Friday, December 11th at 11am.

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Posted 5/5/15: Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. (FMB) is anticipated to open its taproom at The Shoppes at Westlake, quite possibly by Father's Day weekend (though the specific date is not known at this point). The specific location is 30770 Russell Ranch Road, adjacent to Jeannine's Food Hall.

FMB is a family-run regional craft brewery with taprooms at its hometown of Buellton, as well as Los Olivos, Santa Barbara and Santa Maria.

The new Westlake Village taproom will feature indoor/outdoor seating with all of FMB's (currently 15) core beers on tap as well as in "to go" bottles. A rotating list of other specialty and cask beers will be available. The menu will feature gastropub fare, including burgers, tri-tip sandwiches, salads and sliders.

Visit www.figmtnbrew.com for more information or following FMB WLV's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/figmtnbrewWV.

PennyMac Corporate Headquarters to Relocate From Moorpark to Thousand Oaks

At yesterday's "State of the City" address at Cal Lutheran, City of Thousand Oaks Mayor Al Adam shared the news that Moorpark financial services provider PennyMac is moving its corporate headquarters from Moorpark to Thousand Oaks, along with about 300 jobs. Earlier this year, PennyMac inked a deal for 60,466 sq ft of space at 3043 Townsgate Road in Westlake Village.

PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under symbol PFSI. More information at www.pennymacusa.com.

The Mayor also indicated that China based Herri Holdings Corp is in the process of building out an 88,000 sq ft pharmaceutical manufacturing facility at 2300 Corporate Center Drive in Thousand Oaks.

We were also reminded that Easton Baseball/Softball will be relocating from its current Van Nuys location to Thousand Oaks when its current lease ends in 2016. Its CEO noted in video footage that Easton has outgrown its current space and looks forward to moving to the Conejo Valley, with its great local baseball/softball tradition. According to an August Pacific Coast Business Times article, Easton's new headquarters at 3500 Willow Lane, Thousand Oaks will entail 90,000 sq ft and will include a 15,200 sq ft indoor training facility where new products will be developed.

And lastly, we heard about the first ever NCAA national championship in Ventura County history earned on November 21st by the California Lutheran University Women Regals Volleyball Team. The 9th ranked Regals topped 6th ranked Wittenberg University of Ohio 25-23, 25-18, 25-16 in their third NCAA title game appearance. More at www.clusports.com/volleyball/news/11980.

Joe's Crab Shack in Ventura Closed in September 2015

Joe's Crab Shack at 567 Sanjon Road in Ventura closed its doors in Ventura in mid-September. Joe's had operated there since 2003. Prior to that it was occupied by The Chart House since it was constructed in 1981. The site is likely to become luxury apartments in the future.

All that's missing from this table is you. Now serving #crawfish ya'll. #nofilter needed. #whatwecaught

A photo posted by Joes Crab Shack (@officialjoescrabshack) on

El Pollo Loco in Agoura Hills Celebrates Grand Re-Opening on Thursday, December 3rd

The El Pollo Loco at 5050 Kanan Road (at Roadside Drive), Agoura Hills has been closed for over a year after an electrical fire caused severe damage to the building.  But the location is re-opening on Thursday, December 3rd and will be celebrating with a ribbon cutting ceremony and fundraiser from 4:30pm to 9pm, when 100% of sales will be donated to the Los Angeles County Fire Department - Emergency Operations.

Updates at www.facebook.com/ElPolloLocoAgouraHills.