Native New Yorker bringing wings to Yuma

  Plans are under way to open a Native New Yorker in the restaurant at the Shilo Inn. The restaurant will be operated by Dale and Doris Hiles. They also will handle the banquet facilities and will have a party room that can be reserved for special events and meetings.

  They've already laid a lot of the groundwork, having applied for a liquor license and business license. Last week, tenant improvement plans were submitted to the city. Hiles said he intends to open by Oct. 1.

  It will be a nice family-oriented addition to the community, where people can get something to eat and watch sports on one of about 60 high-definition plasma TVs that will be scattered around the room, he said.

  And while the restaurant chain is noted for its Buffalo-style chicken wings, the menu offers much more, such as sandwiches, soups, salads, calzones, pizza and steak, according to its Web site.

  Hiles has considerable experience in the restaurant business in Yuma and El Centro. Currently, he owns Papa John's and Long John Silver.

  According to its Web site, Native New Yorker was begun in 1978 by Judy and Floyd Anderson in Phoenix after they decided that was the end of their road trip West for them from their native Buffalo, N.Y. Faced with a sinking business, they decided to try one last menu promotion: Buffalo-style chicken wings.

  It proved to be a big hit and today, they have several franchises, including the one coming soon to Yuma.

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  Dance studio owner Dawn Atherton is a tad busy these days. As soon as she returns from Las Vegas, where a group of her dance students were performing in a dance competition, she will be packing up to move her Dawn's Dance Studio, as well as the performing group Jazz of Yuma.

  She said she is moving into a new location in a brand-new building at 12498 S. Avenue 4E. She's sad to leave the downtown, where she started her studio four years ago at 270 S. Main St., but she simply needed more room.

  With the new building, she's gaining a state-of-the-art facility with sprung floors and other technology. It also gives her growing room for more students and space to expand her curriculum to other dance forms. She'll also be starting a Fine Arts Academy for 3- to 5-year-olds and a boys performing organization.

  Atherton expects to open in her new studio Aug. 4. For more information about classes, call 329-6858 or e-mail dawnsdance@yahoo.com.

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  Permits have been issued to Two Guys Auto to locate a factory-built modular office building at 345 W. 32nd St., said Alan Kircher, city of Yuma assistant building official. The business plans to open a second used car sales lot there, where Sprague's had a park and sale lot.

  In other city building activity, Kircher reported:

  - The city has approved plans for a new 5,000-square-foot M and S Home Appliance repair shop to be built at 2691 S. Lakin Ave. in the Gateway Plaza.

  - Plans also have been approved for two speculation buildings on Lots 4 and 5 in the Old 80 Business Park under development on 32nd Street at Avenue 4-1/2E. Rameda is developing the buildings, each about 6,500 square feet.

  Old 80 will be a commercial and light industrial subdivision with 13 lots. It is being developed by Gary Pasquinelli.

  - Yuma's new Arby's could be open as soon as early this week. It's located on Avenue 3E near the Interstate 8 entrance.

  - Plans have been submitted for a new medical office at Tuscany Plaza No. 13.

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  A store fixture liquidation sale is now going on at Yuma's Linens 'N Things. The sale incudes shelving, shopping carts, display tables, phones and more. For more information on the sale, visit www.JGResources.com.

  In the meantime, the store is still open for business and has a good selection of products - all sale priced.

  The parent company of Linens 'N Things announced this spring that it had filed for bankruptcy protection and would be closing 120 underperforming stores - including the Yuma store, which opened in 2004 at Yuma Palms Regional Center.

  There were no takers during an auction of the building's lease last week, said Tom Pancrazi of A.T. Pancrazi Real Estate. He said is working with a couple of prospective tenants, but nothing is firm yet. For inquiries about the property, call him at 782-0000.

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  Roger Varela was recently promoted to store manager for Kohl's. An associate with the store since it opened, he had been the assistant manager for about one year.

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  Quilting Bee, 2360 W. 32nd St., is now an official drop-off site for Cell Phones for Soldiers, announced store owner Tricia Swenson.

  The program was started in 2004 by 13-year-old Brittany Bergquist and her 12-year-old brother, Robbie, of Norwell, Mass. According to their Web site, www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com, Robbie and Brittany hope to provide as many soldiers as possible with prepaid calling cards so those serving overseas can call home. Through generous donations and the recycling of used cell phones, Robbie and Brittany have already distributed thousands of calling cards to soldiers around the globe.

  The donated cell phones are sent to ReCellular, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers for each donated phone – enough to provide an hour of talk time to soldiers abroad.

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  It was a year ago that Curtis and Dundee Volk purchased Don Quijote Mexican Food and think that's cause for celebration. As a way to thank Yumans for their support, the restaurant will be having a week's anniversary celebration featuring food items and specials. Watch for ads.

  "I just love it here," said Volk, a San Diego transplant and longtime restaurateur

  Don Quijote is at 11411 S. Fortuna Road in the Yuma East Shopping Center and serves both Mexican and American food. The phone number is 342-3313. It's open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays.

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  Gene's Restaurant, 771 S. 4th Ave., is closed for its annual summer vacation, according to a sign in the restaurant's window. The sign says the restaurant will again be open for business Aug. 12.

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  Employees of another restaurant also will be taking a little break this summer, but for only one day a week. Highway 95 Cafe, 2585 E. 16th St., will be closed Sundays from Aug. 1 to Sept. 15. But come by and enjoy the cuisine Mondays through Saturdays for the rest of the summer.

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  Rent-A-Rim offers a good place to rent to own your favorite custom wheels and tires. The new shop, opened by Jr Harrell, offers a wide selection of street wheels and performance tires as well as off road.

  The shop offers 120 days same as cash, free mount and balance and free locks and lugs. Check it out at 2573 E. 24th St., call 726-9885 or e-mail rentarimaz@yahoo.com.

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Report Comings and Goings to jlobeck@yumasun.com or 539-6853.